A new chapter in Alberta’s medical education system has begun. Admissions are 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 University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and the University of Lethbridge, SAMP offers students the opportunity to earn a UCalgary 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.”
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.
“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. Todd Anderson, 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 University of Calgary’s admissions portal. Students from all disciplines are welcome to apply.
To learn more or begin your application, visit: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/mdprogram/future-students/admissions