Regional Directors at CFMS
Western
Henry Tran
University of Alberta
western@cfms.org
Carolyn Horwood
University of Calgary
western@cfms.org
Western
Western Regional Directors serve as liaisons for all medical schools in the Western Provinces including: University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, University of Saskatchewan, and University of Manitoba. Regional Directors are voting members of the Board and have the specialized role of ensuring that the board is kept abreast of up-to-the-moment developments at all of the member schools. Regional Directors serve as liaisons between the Board and the medical society representatives and presidents. They work closely with all Directors under the direction of the President to ensure communication between the Board and medical societies primarily through the VP Externals and Presidents. Regional Directors also represent the students from the western regions at conferences and in discussions with the UGME of each of the western schools. They are also expected to take on national projects and responsibilities on behalf of the Board, connecting individuals to ensure proper support and collaboration across the medical community.
Projects
Each year, WRDs take on projects which they are passionate about.
Current Projects:
- Western Medical Medical Student Summit 2025:
- The CFMS supported the initiative of the WRD’s to create and host an inaugural conference for medical students of the West focused on student wellness, research presentation opportunities and improving clinical skills.
- Medical Student Association of the West
- There have long been talks about the development of a regional student organization, much like OMSA and CAMSA out east. This year, the WRDS have worked closely with medical societies to build the foundation for a regional representative body in the future.
Annually:
- Orientation Tours
- Conducted with the local medical society’s VP Externals at the beginning of each year to introduce all incoming medical students to our organizations
- Representatives Round Tables (RRTs)
- All Regional Directors are responsible for engaging with students through VP Externals. Through VP Externals, we aim to gain insight into the concerns and perspectives of students, and the issues students are passionate about to guide our action and advocacy.
- Western Regional Roundtable
- Meetings every 6 weeks or more frequently as needed to discuss.
- Western Dean’s Conference
- The Western Dean’s Conference (WDC) is a UGME hosted medical education conference which rotates through the western provinces. The WRDs present annually at the Western Dean’s Conference (WDC) on the student perspective, based on the theme of the conference as well as in consultation and collaboration with each of the local student medical societies on relevant and important topics to improve medical student experience, as well as sponsor a social event for student delegates to connect at.
- National Advisory Council.
- The Royal College has adopted a National Advisory Committee (NAC) format with each NAC focused on a strategic theme. The WRDs act as student representatives within the Royal College NACs.
