Vancouver Island – Strathcona
Site Information
Number of Residents: 7 CMG, 2 IMG
Community: Campbell River 35,000, Comox Valley 65,000
Hospitals: North Island Hospital: Comox Valley Hospital and Campbell River & District General Hospital
Distance from Vancouver: 190 km, requires ferry travel
Curriculum Type: Partial Integrated
R2 Elective Time: 8 Weeks
Contacts: Site Director – Dr. Peter Gee peter.gee@ubc.ca
Lead Resident: Dr. Conor Barrie & Dr. Madalon Burnett
Site Director Message
Three Communities, One Site – We are Strathcona!
Strathcona: lax̌a ʔik ʔəwinagʷis (“It’s a beautiful place”)
Strathcona Site wishes to acknowledge the lands on which we work and learn are the traditional unceded territories of the Laich-kwil-Tach Peoples and the K’omoks First Nation.
Welcome to Strathcona, so what are “we”?
We are a UBC Family Medicine Residency Site on the East Coast of Vancouver Island, embracing the teaching communities of Campbell River, Courtenay and Comox.
We are a rural distributed Site within a distributed UBC FM Residency Program, including ICC from June 2025
We are Family Physicians with a spectrum of talents from full-service practices including ER and OB to office and, or hospital-based care.
We are learner-centred, with inspirational and supportive teachers who create a rich and positive learning environment.
We prepare our learners well in all aspects of rural Family Practice
We are the Mountains & the Ocean with all the fun they have to offer.
We are Strathcona!
Our R1 schedule is dedicated towards specialist rotations including longitudinal family medicine. R2 is dedicated to family medicine including an optional 4 months remote rural FP elective, and 8-week optional elective time.
We value learner feedback; we value the National College’s desire for Generalist Family Physicians who can work anywhere in Canada and use this to guide our Site’s progress and future direction.
Our measures of success include graduate readiness and confidence for independent practice,
My greatest passion is to see happy teachers and happy learners.
Over 75% of our graduates have remained locally; Over 85% remain on Vancouver Island and over 90% remain in BC.
Many of our graduates embrace full-service privileges including OB and EM care.
We love where we live and work.
We are Strathcona and maybe so are you!
Dr. Peter Gee,
Strathcona Site Director
MB, ChB, MRCGP, CCFP
UBC Clinical Assistant Professor
About
Contact: peter.gee@ubc.ca
Click here to view the site presentation
City of Courtenay
Activities
Town of Comox
Activities
City of Campbell River
Activities
Lead Resident Message
Nature is the Best Physician – Hippocrates
Welcome to Strathcona Provincial Park, the beautiful playground connecting Courtenay, Comox, and Campbell River. Surrounded by nature, our region offers incredible opportunities—skiing, cycling, kayaking, and even multi-sport races—all in a single day!
Our Community
Our unique site serves three vibrant mid-sized communities, presenting both exciting opportunities and distinct challenges. While our hospital volume is lower than in larger urban centers, we focus heavily on general medicine, benefitting from accessible local specialists. As residents, you’ll often be first call for codes, deliveries, and surgical assists, enhancing your hands-on learning. Plus, we provide clinical teaching opportunities at local and on-reserve clinics for Indigenous communities.
Resident-Led Learning
We emphasize resident-driven learning, allowing you to run “resident as teacher” sessions, choosing the content that interests you. Clinical exposure includes diverse electives like cancer care, maternity clinics, and gender-affirming care. Our new hospitals in Campbell River and Courtenay are equipped with state-of-the-art SIM labs and cutting-edge medical technology.
A Supportive Environment
Strathcona residents are motivated and passionate, engaging in community activities from search and rescue to ski patrol. Our preceptors are dedicated community physicians, committed to your education and success. With a tight-knit community, many staff members were once residents themselves, fostering a supportive atmosphere.
Education and Lifestyle
In just two years, our graduates feel confident and prepared for independent practice. Regular exam prep and academic half-days provide valuable learning opportunities, often followed by social outings.
Living here offers a fantastic lifestyle—hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and skiing are just a few activities to enjoy with your co-residents.
Why Choose Strathcona?
Ultimately, choosing the right site is essential. If you’re motivated, self-directed, and seeking a welcoming yet challenging environment, Strathcona could be the perfect fit for you!
Lisa Szostek lisasz@student.ubc.ca
Sarah Wong sjwong@student.ubc.ca
