Pre-Clerkship Electives

Undergraduate Medical Education studentsPre-clerkship summer electives are designed to introduce medical students to the practice of medicine in rural and regional communities in Southwestern Ontario. These electives, assist students in developing their clinical knowledge and practicing their skills in clinical and community settings outside the teaching centre.

Medical student applicants should be aware that, although funding is provided for travel and accommodation, they must have access to their own transportation as many of the electives are in communities that are not reached through public transportation. 

Summer Elective Opportunities

Summer Research Electives

We invite all interested first and second year students with an interest for Regional Research this summer to apply to the Distributed Education Summer Research Elective, a Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry funded program. First or second year undergraduate medical students are paired with a distributed faculty member to complete a rural/regional research project. The elective is intended to support students' interest in research by contributing to a project over 6 weeks, 30-35 hours/week. A limited number of projects will be funded. By the end of the elective, the student will be able to:

  • Gain an understanding of the research proecess for research conducted in the region
  • Gain research experience to complement the student's academic activities

2026 Research Opportunities include:

  • Dr. Tristan J. Walker, Stratford: Impact of a warming center on homeless visits to the Emergency Department
  • Dr. Abhishiek Setia, Stratford: Penicillin Reaction Clinic

Summer Electives Application

Pre-clerkship Clinical or Research Elective Application

Electives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, as there are a limited number of electives available (for research and clinical electives only).

  • Clinical and research applications will January 7.
  • Applications for MedLINCs opens January 7.
  • Clinical electives must be 4 weeks in length to qualify for funding. Pediatric electives less than 4 weeks in duration may qualify for a competitive grant. To apply, email judith.thomas@lhsc.on.ca.
  • Medical students must follow the Registration Process through the Schulich Undergraduate Medical Education site.
  • Medical students are required to pay a $60.00 fee at the time of registration.  

Educational Goals

  1. To assist students in developing their clinical skills and knowledge outside of a tertiary teaching centre.
  2. To provide an enrichment experience for students with an interest in rural regional medicine at a time when they are considering future career paths.
  3. To provide undergraduate medical students with an opportunity to discover the joys and challenges of living and working in a rural and regional community.

Year-One Information Session:  January 7, 2026 at 8:30am

Year-Two Summer Electives Presentation: February 23, 2026 at 12:30pm

 

Research Project Application - DHC & MedLINCs

Students participating in Discovery Healthcare Camp or MedLINCs who are interested in a summer research opportunity, have the option of applying for a research project. Applications can be found here.