03/20/2026
***🩺Long farewell post🎤***
Many of you know one of our students Caity and the time has come to bid her farewell but first we sat down with her to talk about her experience here at the Associate Clinic and ask her about her time here as a third year medical student. Caity is part of the University of Calgary Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship which has allowed her to spend much of her third year here in Pincher Creek.
We wish Caitlin well as she soon heads off to Saskatoon to begin her residency in Anaesthesia and are grateful to the patients of the Associate Clinic for being supportive of continuing Medical Education for our future Healthcare providers.
Why I chose community/rural medicine placement:
During the first half of my medical school training, I had the opportunity to come to Pincher Creek to “shadow” the physicians here for two days. I think I fell in love with Pincher within the first half day here! I was so impressed by the kindness of patients who demonstrated clear passion for the community, and the variety of practice that I requested to come back for my 7-month clinical placement. Without a doubt, it was the best decision I could have made, and I am so grateful for my experience here. The patients are kind, the physicians are passionate, and the community was so welcoming.
What have you enjoyed most about Pincher Creek?
The mountain view never gets old, there are a lot of great restaurants, and the proximity to skiing and Waterton has been amazing. I also can’t complain about the 2-minute commute to work, and I now find falling asleep to the sound of the wind soothing!
What have you enjoyed most about your placement at the Associate Clinic and Pincher Creek Hospital?
The team here is so supportive, and I’ve been able to learn everything from general hospital medicine, to family medicine, to emergency medicine, to anesthesia, and even some surgical skills alongside incredible mentors who care deeply about their patients.
A moment that’s stayed with me:
It’s truly hard to pick a single moment! In general, I have loved following a patient through multiple visits sometimes across different settings. For example, I might see a patient in the emergency department, care for them while they are admitted to hospital, and then again for follow-up after they are discharged. The opportunity to see a patient’s progress over time reminds me how powerful continuity of care can be.
To my patients and this community:
Thank you for welcoming me into your community and trusting me with your care. Your kindness and encouragement made even the toughest days meaningful. I will miss Pincher Creek and will always look back on this time with deep appreciation. While I will be training in anesthesiology, my experience here has inspired me to keep community practice and rural outreach as an important part of my future career. Perhaps I will get to come back one day!
