UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
Award-winning graduates aim to be Saskatchewan's next family doctors

The medical doctor (MD) Class of 2026 convocated on June 4. Four graduates, Drs. Zoey Bourgeois (MD), Adam Magnus (MD), Alex Moyer (MD), and Eriq Marleau (MD), were among those who received accolades for their achievements during their time in the program. Their next plans? Start giving back to people in Saskatchewan through their family medicine residencies.

Drs. Eriq Marleau (MD), Alex Moyer (MD), Adam Magnus (MD), and Zoey Bourgeois (MD)

All four residents share what it was like to receive their awards, attend the College of Medicine, their passion for family medicine, and pass on words of advice for MD students.

Dr. Zoey Bourgeois was the recipient of the Senior Stick. The award is given to a graduating student that has made a significant contribution to the social dynamic of their class and supported the development of a strong class bond. Bourgeois matched to family medicine in her hometown of Saskatoon. 

Reflecting on what it was like to receive the award, Bourgeois said, "It was definitely surprising!"

"One of the best parts of medicine is that while we spend years learning how to care for patients, we also end up caring for each other along the way. Looking back, some of my favourite memories from medical school happened outside of lectures and the hospital - celebrating milestones, laughing through long days, and showing up for each other when things were hard."

She added, "If I played even a small role in helping to bring our class together through the highs and lows, that feels really special and is something I'm very grateful for."

"I love knowing that no two days look the same while also having the opportunity to follow patients over time and be part of their lives through different stages."

Dr. Zoey Bourgeois

Looking at her upcoming residency and why she was drawn to family medicine, Bourgeois shared, "I was drawn to family medicine because of the variety and the relationships. I love knowing that no two days look the same while also having the opportunity to follow patients over time and be part of their lives through different stages."

"I'm excited by the idea of a day that might include prenatal care, catching up with families I know well, and being involved in both routine and urgent procedures, from the everyday to the lifesaving, all while staying grounded in continuity of care."

When asked about practicing in Saskatchewan, Bourgeois said, "I'm especially excited to stay in Saskatchewan because of the breadth of training opportunities and the strong sense of community here. I've had amazing mentors throughout medical school and feel really lucky to continue learning in a place that values broad, community-focused care."

Thinking about what she liked about the MD program, Bourgeois said, "[It was] the early and meaningful clinical exposure. I quickly realized that I learn best through hands-on experience, and I really appreciated seeing patients in hospital and clinic settings, and learning directly from patients and physicians at the bedside."

"I'm also really grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for welcoming learners into their care. It's a privilege to be trusted in those moments, and I think that experience is a huge part of why USask graduates are well prepared to become thoughtful and capable physicians."

For advice Bourgeois would pass on to MD students, she said, "Medical school feels long while you're in it, but somehow it also passes very quickly. Study hard, but try to protect time for your friends, family, and yourself along the way."

She added, "Remember that you earned your place. There will be moments where you question yourself, but your hard work has already carried you this far, and it will continue to."

"It's also completely okay to say "I don't know." You are there to learn, and everyone around you is learning too. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the easier it becomes to ask questions, grow, and enjoy the process. Accept feedback with humility, ask questions even when you think you should already know the answer, and don't underestimate the value of being kind. Patients may not remember your differential diagnosis, but they will remember how you made them feel."

Dr. Adam Magnus received the Dr. G. Ernest McBrien Award (Saskatoon). In memory of her brother, Mrs. Madelene Smith donated this award for the top two medical students with the highest standing in family medicine and who plan to pursue a career in family medicine. Magnus also received the Henry and Cheryl Kloppenburg Prize in Psychiatry. This prize is awarded to the student ranking highest in the psychiatry rotation in the clerkship year. It recognizes the Kloppenburgs' long-standing interest in supporting the pursuit of excellence in psychiatric care. Magnus matched to family medicine in Moose Jaw. 

When asked what it was like to receive his awards, Magnus said, "Well, nobody at these events tells you that you are going to win an award, so I suppose the first feeling that came was one of surprise. Gratitude and relief followed shortly after. Medical education is full of uncertainty, so winning an award like this is a small reassurance I'm moving in the right direction."

"What I will remember most though, is how my fellow colleagues congratulated me. It's a privilege to shake hands with everyone on stage but then going down and having my future co-resident slap me on the back in genuine encouragement was the highlight of winning that award."

"I feel proud to be the first point of contact patients have with healthcare."

Dr. Adam Magnus

Reflecting on his choice to pursue family medicine, Magnus said, "I really value being present for people and seeing to their needs holistically I feel proud to be the first point of contact patients have with healthcare."

"Whether it was seeing someone for routine chronic disease management or an undifferentiated patient in walk-in, I found it telling that my mind always took me back to family clinic. It was the place I felt most appreciated, valued, and ultimately proud to be a physician."

He is also looking forward to staying in Saskatchewan and the upcoming opportunities to practice in more rural areas. "I'm quite excited to finish off my training in a more rural/regional setting because I know it will leave me well equipped with the skills I need in practice. Saskatchewan has one of the highest rural population proportions in the country, so it's no wonder the rural programs are so well set up."

"Ultimately, Saskatchewan is the place that raised me. I learned everything I know here in this province, and so being able to finish the last leg of the journey here is something I wouldn't want to miss."

Magnus appreciated not only his time in the USask MD program, but his experience in the Saskatchewan education system in general. "I've completed all my education [in] Saskatchewan and all my higher education at USask...it's not just the quality, but the personality of it that I've really come to appreciate."

"I think Saskatchewan is unique in the humility that people display. In all stages of my education, I've had teachers and mentors who poured into my life in positive ways. They didn't have anything to gain and yet went the extra mile and genuinely cared to help me grow as a person, student, and physician."

For the advice Magnus would give to MD students, he shared the following: "Get connected with the mentorship programs offered through the College of Medicine and actually make an effort to meet with your mentor You'll be glad you did."

"Do an elective in rural family medicine when you get the chance I guarantee you will get an opportunity to do and experience things you would never otherwise get."

He finished by sharing, "Imposter syndrome is real. Everyone gets it. You will too. What's important is having at least one person you can talk with openly and honestly about it. Allow them to offer you some perspective on it all. Try being a little better each day and don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy."

Dr. Alex Moyer was the recipient of the Dr. G. Ernest McBrien Award (Regina). In memory of her brother, Mrs. Madelene Smith donated this award for the top two medical students with the highest standing in family medicine and who plan to pursue a career in family medicine. Moyer matched to family medicine in his hometown, Regina.

Moyer's reaction to winning the award was a mixture of surprise and humility.

"Many of my colleagues are pursuing family medicine and they all stand out to me for their skills and excellent patient care," said Moyer. "It was really an honour to be recognized and to see so many of my colleagues recognized alongside me for their skills and dedication."

"I love the ability to tailor one's career in that way, to do clinic, emergency medicine, inpatient medicine, addictions medicine, palliative care, among many other things."

Dr. Alex Moyer

Moyer knew from the beginning that he was destined for family medicine. He said, "Before med school, I worked as an x-ray tech in the Northwest Territories and had such admiration for the family docs practicing rurally That was only compounded by my family medicine rotations during med school. I love the ability to tailor one's career in that way, to do clinic, emergency medicine, inpatient medicine, addictions medicine, palliative care, among many other things."

Looking at his opportunity to practice in Saskatchewan, Moyer said, "We truly have fantastic family docs and colleagues in other disciplines who help you develop and refine your skills They really are a wealth of knowledge and Saskatchewan offers that great scope and opportunity for practice across the province."

Moyer is part of the historic class that completed all four years of medical school at the College of Medicine, Regina campus. When asked about what he liked about the MD program at USask, Moyer said, "We have incredible faculty in all of our specialties and throughout the province. They really do love to teach and they allow you to continually push yourself and become more independent while providing support and expertise when you need it.

"I love the size of the program, which allows you to get to know much of your class We also have such wonderful administrative and support staff. They go above and beyond to help you succeed and to provide any support they can."

For his parting words, Moyer shared his advice for MD students. "Firstly, get to know your classmates and upper years early," he said. "There's such a diversity of academic backgrounds and interests that allow you to learn from the skills and experience your classmates already have."

"Secondly, make time for your passions and time to debrief. I find a little dinner or activity with friends is a great way to get your mind off school and to debrief after a busy week...[and] explore different disciplines early. There's lots of great opportunity for shadowing in the first two years and it helps see what a day-to-day is like in a particular discipline."

"Finally, get to know your support and admin staff, they're there to help. I think most people struggle at some point in med school, whether that's remediating an exam, struggling with some clinical skill, or just feeling like you're not cut out for medicine everyone wants you to succeed and if you have a concern, seek out support early."

Dr. Eriq Marleau received the Dr. Robert G. Murray Undergraduate Award in Medicine. This award was established in memory of Dr. Robert G. Murray, former Dean of the College of Medicine, and supports a student who has completed their Grade 12 education in the province of Saskatchewan and who intends to establish a family practice in the province. He also received the Emergency Medicine Book Prize (Regina) for top clinical performance on his emergency medicine rotation. Marleau matched to Swift Current for its new family medicine and integrated emergency medicine residency.

Sharing what it was like to receive his awards, Marleau said, "It was a huge honor! The generous donations from the college and independent donors are a huge benefit to myself and my family coming out of medical school. My cohort is filled with many incredible, competent individuals who all are deserving of awards, so I am very thankful I was selected for the awards that I did win."

"I fell in love with family [medicine] because I saw how providing longitudinal care over decades impacted how care was delivered."

Dr. Eriq Marleau

Marleau's excitement in receiving his accolades matches his enthusiasm about his upcoming residency in family medicine. "I fell in love with family [medicine] because I saw how providing longitudinal care over decades impacted how care was delivered," he said.

"With family, you can work in clinic, in emergency rooms, in obstetric settings, as a hospitalist, and as a surgical assist. I don't think it is a career you could ever be bored with that many different hats to wear."

Thinking about how he will be practicing in Saskatchewan, Marleau said, "I am super pumped to train in Saskatchewan for a number of reasons. The clinicians I will be training under are incredibly competent and eager to teach, and they practice in varied environments. This is something I want to incorporate into my practice, and I know that Swift Current will prepare me quite well for practice."

Like Moyer, Marleau was part of the cohort who completed all years of their MD program at the College of Medicine, Regina campus. When asked about what he liked about his USask training, Marleau said, "The community! I was in the Regina Cohort, and over the four years my classmates and I became so close, and it felt like we knew each other much longer than that Beyond my class, the admin staff in Regina were so friendly and kind. Everyone took pride in their work, and made an effort to know us as individuals."

"Beyond the people, the clinical training I received was top notch. I completed the SLIC clerkship experience, and I benefited from incredible teaching in a rural site, as well as low preceptor-learner ratios. The docs always made sure to involve me in clinical and non-clinical activities, and I felt that I grew tremendously as both a medical student and a person under their guidance."

To conclude our interview, Marleau shared these final pieces of advice for MD students. "Have fun with it!" he said. "Make sure that you are meeting your academic responsibilities, but you will meet some of the most wonderful people in medical school, and getting to know them was one of the things that I cherished most about my training frequent social outings with friends were the best resets before getting back to the grind of studying."

"The second piece of advice is to be kind to yourself! You are surrounded by some of the smartest people you will ever meet, and coursework can sometimes feel like you are drinking through a firehose. Give yourself a little grace if you are not perfect in everything Medical school gets better and better the farther in you get. You got this!"