Resident-for-a-day: Minister Rona Ambrose Scrubs in for a Lesson in Medical Education

From the bustling world of federal politics to the fast-paced environment of a community teaching hospital, Health Minister Rona Ambrose recently spent a day in the life of a medical resident at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

After scrubbing in on April 10^th, Ambrose spent the day with the hospital’s surgeons and medical residents—including time in the operating room, emergency department and visiting with patients. It was an opportunity to see first-hand the contributions the facility makes in medical education and preparing a new generation of physician specialists.

“It’s important for people to recognize the role of the community teaching hospital in medical education, said Elizabeth Buller, St. Joseph’s Health Centre President and CEO. “Over 800 medical residents come to St. Joe’s every year to get their clinical skills and practical training. That’s great for our communities, it’s great for our province and it’s great for our country.”

In addition to seeing first-hand what it’s like to learn and work at one of Ontario’s busiest community teaching hospitals, the Minister also spent time talking to the future medical specialists about a range of issues including patient care, patient safety and health human resources.