Quw’utsun
Site Information
Number of Residents: 4 CMG
Location: Duncan, BC
Community: 22,200
Hospital: Cowichan District Hospital
Curriculum Type: Hybrid model including longitudinal and block curricula
R1 Elective Time: 6 weeks
R2 Elective Time: 12 weeks
Site Director Message
We acknowledge that we are privileged to work, live, and play in the unceded traditional lands of the Quw’utsun, Malahat, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Penelakut, and Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nations. We are learning to respect this land that we are guests on and serve our communities’ health care needs with commitment and respect.
Discover the hidden gem that is the Cowichan Valley, situated mid-way between Nanaimo and Victoria. It combines the perks of small-town life (lower cost of living, no traffic, surrounded by nature) with the benefits of a big city (major retailers, craft breweries). Enjoy numerous hiking & biking trails, watersports, BCHL Cowichan Capitals hockey games, our many wineries, and numerous community events.
Our medical community is well equipped to provide exceptional experience in full-service family medicine, including ER, urgent care, hospitalist, addictions, palliative/hospice, and obstetrics. Specialist exposure includes general surgery, pediatrics, orthopedics, gynecology, anesthesia, urology, and internal medicine subspecialties. You’ll find we are a close-knit community, happy to help out (no fear necessary in calling a consult). As one of the integrated clinical clerkship sites for third year med students, our preceptors are well versed in teaching.
With the largest First Nation in BC, Quw’utsun Tribes, there is a rich Indigenous history here. We are committed to building and maintaining trauma-informed relationships to support and sustain local Indigenous culture and wellness. These principles are embedded in our curriculum.
Of note, the Cowichan Valley covers a vast amount of land from Mill Bay to Ladysmith with most medical locations located just off the highway. A car is essential to getting around.
We know you’ll love it here, where you’ll receive a breadth of medical experiences combined with the beauty of the Cowichan Valley.
Dr. Kirsten Yip & Dr. Tom Rimmer, Co-Site Directors
Lead Resident Message
We, the inaugural cohort of residents, are unanimously happy with our match to the Quw’utsun Site. From day one, we could tell our program was mindfully crafted by a group that is passionate about training residents in the Cowichan Valley. We’ve felt welcomed, engaged, and supported beyond measure. We love our curricular design, with a great mix of focused blocks, academic weeks, and longitudinal learning experiences including a two-year Indigenous medicine placement with one of the local Nations. At Quw’utsun, you’ll practice in a tight-knit community hospital where you work closely with Family Docs and consultants alike. There is a lot of interesting medicine here, including high acuity and complex care, and you’ll always be first in line to get your hands on whatever’s coming through.
We recognize that our training takes place on the unceded territories of the Hul’q’umi’num’ and Ditidaht speaking Peoples. We feel grateful for the opportunities to learn and work in partnership with the local First Nations communities and our Indigenous patients. Decolonizing medicine is a strong value at our site. We engage in formal and informal learning on topics like anti-racism and structural competency. In our first few months, we’ve all been welcomed in various ceremonies and are all learning our first words in Hul’q’umi’num’.
This is a beautiful place to live and to work, and a lovely place to raise a family. We have easy access to all major transport hubs on the island. We have urban amenities at our fingertips, while being surrounded by so much nature and hidden gems. There’s fresh local food, cideries and wineries, mountain biking, hiking, and water sports. Consider Quw’utsun for your training and career.
Resident Co-leads Dr. Ivy Deavy and Dr. Katie Green
Email: quwutsun.fm.residents@gmail.com
Instagram: ubcfamilymed.quwutsun
