Medical Learners Interest Group

The CAWM Medical Learners Interest Group (MLIG) is composed of medical students and residents across Canada with varying interests in the field of wilderness medicine. The group aims to introduce learners within the community of medicine to the field of wilderness medicine and connect interested students with further learning opportunities. The four pillars of focus for the MLIG include research, mentorship, education and professional development opportunities including electives across Canada.

Objectives

To engage medical learners in the field and community of wilderness medicine, through lectures, webinars, and social events.
To connect medical learners with opportunities for training in wilderness medicine within Canada or available to Canadian learners.
To connect medical learners with researchers and research opportunities in wilderness medicine.
To connect medical learners with professionals working in wilderness medicine for career exploration,mentorship, and networking purposes.

Rayna Sharma

Medical Student, University of Calgary (Class of 2027)

Rayna Sharma is a medical student at the University of Calgary who still believes the best way to solve an existential crisis is by testing gravity—usually by clinging to a cliff face or skiing down slopes she’s probably not quite ready for. Before diving into the world of medicine, she was a strength and conditioning coach for the Canadian Armed Forces and dabbled in extreme environmental physiology research, so she’s used to handling stress…or at least pretending she is. While she’s traded in the open road of vanlife for equally adventurous night shifts, her climbing gear is never far away. When she’s not buried under textbooks, you’ll find her somewhere in the Rockies, trying not to break bones climbing, skiing and mountain biking– activities where lately she displays more stoke than skill.

Emma Windfeld

Medical Student, University of Calgary (Class of 2026)

Emma is a medical student at the University of Calgary with a passion for northern and remote medicine.

She holds a Master’s degree in Agroecology and a BA in the social determinants of health. Before medicine, Emma’s career with Parks Canada took her from Jasper’s Rockies to the remote islands, rivers, and tundra of the western Arctic. Prior to that, her research in climate change and global health found her working in South Africa and Uganda.

In her spare time, you can find Emma running, cross country skiing, bikepacking, or learning (very slowly) how to backcountry ski.

Executive Team

Laura Meleady

Medical Student

Memorial University of Newfoundland (Class of 2026)

Hayden John

Medical Student

Queen's University (Class of 2028)

Sean Harrop

Medical Student

University of Alberta (Class of 2028)

Sophie Thomas

FRCPC Emergency Medicine Resident

University of British Columbia (Interior Site, Kelowna)

Benjamin Van Bastelaere

Medical Student

University of Manitoba (Class of 2027)

Institution-Affiliated Interest Groups

Below is a list of University-affiliated Wilderness Medicine Interest Groups across Canada! Use this list to find a WMIG at your school. Contact programdirector@cawm.ca to get in touch with any of these groups that do not have contact information listed.

University of Ottawa Rural Medicine Interest Group (uoruralmed@gmail.com)
University of Ottawa Emergency Medicine Interest Group (uottawaemig@gmail.com)
NOSM University Rural Medicine Interest Group (ig.ruralmedicine@nosm.ca)
Queen's University Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (wildernessmedig@gmail.com)
McGill Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (msswildernessmedicine@gmail.com)
Université Laval Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (medxp.ulaval@gmail.com)
McMaster Rural Medicine Interest Group
University of Toronto Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
Western University Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
MUN Rural Medicine Interest Group
University of Alberta Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
University of British Columbia Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
University of Manitoba Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
University of Calgary Rural Medicine Interest Group