The first participant of the Sask Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship is already settling into her role and adopted community with ease.

Lindsay Richels hails from Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, and is the first student to take in the hands-on training offered by a new partnership between the St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan and the Sask College of Medicine, now a month in.

"I really like it here. People are super nice to me, the learning opportunities have been wonderful, they far surpassed my expectations already...I have nothing but good things to say," she said.

The program gives her a chance to experience a variety of medical practices offered at the Hospital.

"I've seen maternity, obstetrics, been in some general surgery, family practice, I've done some emerg shifts, got to even spend some time with our orthopedic surgeon that comes out here, and also psychiatry. A lot of different people and a lot of different experiences."

Richels doesn't lean towards a specific area of medicine as of yet, thus the SLIC lets her try many different aspects and get proficient at a few.

While she's only been here a little while, she's already been welcomed with open arms.

"I've got a nice place to study. My family's been welcomed, I have a three and a half year old son and he's playing hockey, he got into swimming lessons and he goes to playschool, so my husband has his hands full. We've definitely been taking advantage of all the beautiful resources and everything that Estevan has to offer."

She also has been able to sing the praises of SLIC, including when the SMA students came for a tour and made inquiries.

"I've had a lot of good feedback already, and a lot of impressed, curious medical students wanting to come here and do their training."

Richels and her family will spend a total of at least 42 weeks in Estevan for the program.

"Just with the opportunities I've been given already, I know that other students are really going to want the same. I feel super fortunate to be here, and to be given this opportunity. I feel quite spoiled, for a lack of a better word. It's been awesome, and I think it'll just continue to grow and continue to expand."