Admissions now open for Southern Alberta Medical Program

July 28, 2025

Admissions now open for Southern Alberta Medical Program

Innovative partnership between the ��֦��Ƶ and the University of Lethbridge realized

Admissions open for the Southern Alberta Medical Program Colourbox

A new chapter in Alberta’s medical education system has begun with admissions now open for the Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP): a three-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program designed for students ready to build their future in rural and regional health care.

Delivered through an innovative partnership between the ��֦��Ƶ’s (CSM) and the University of Lethbridge, SAMP offers students the opportunity to earn a U��֦��Ƶ medical degree while completing their training in southern Alberta.

“We’ve been building this program with students in mind from the very beginning,” says Dr. Richard Buck, Associate Dean of SAMP. “From curriculum design to clinical placements, every element is centred around preparing future physicians for the realities of rural and regional care.”

Richard Buck, Associate Dean of SAMP says the program will prepare future physicians for the realities of rural and regional care.

Courtesy University of Lethbridge

Funded by the Government of Alberta, Rural Medical Education Program Training Centres use a distributed education model that emphasizes continuity of care, community connection, and clinical readiness, all while contributing to a more resilient health-care system for the region.

“Training physicians in southern Alberta requires trust, relationships, and long-term commitment,” says Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Deputy Provost at the University of Lethbridge. “Through this partnership, we’re helping students form ties to the people and places they’ll serve, beginning in medical school and continuing throughout their careers.”

SAMP’s first cohort of students begins learning in July 2026. Students will complete their degrees through an intensive, community-integrated curriculum that responds to the growing need for sustainable, locally grounded approaches to medical education, particularly in areas where physician access remains essential.

Launch marks milestone for rural areas and Indigenous communities

“The launch of admissions marks a significant milestone in our quest to deliver education and training solutions for the health workforce in rural areas and Indigenous communities,” says CSM Dean Dr. , MD. “This innovative distributed medical education program offers an exceptional opportunity for students, especially those with strong roots in rural and regional communities, to begin their medical journey closer to home.”

Applications are now open through the ��֦��Ƶ’s admissions portal. Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply.

To learn more or begin your application, visit:

Sign up for UToday

Delivered to your inbox — a daily roundup of news and events from across the ��֦��Ƶ's 14 faculties and dozens of units

Thank you for your submission.

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.

��֦��Ƶ