ROMP week returns to Northumberland Hills Hospital
Image caption: ROMP participants welcomed at Northumberland Hills Hospital. Pictured from left to right: Kate Zimmerman NHH Vice President Integrated Care and Chief Nursing Executive, ROMP students Ravni Bomra, Karina Wilk, Morgan McKeown, Sierra Stokes-Heck and Dr. Fraser Cameron, Ontario Health Team of Northumberland’s Primary Care Network Physician Lead.
By Cecilia Nasmith
January 2026 ROMP week is here – that annual exercise where Northumberland Hills Hospital collaborates with the Rural Ontario Medical Program to welcome first-year medical students a week of shadowing local family physicians and working in multiple hospital departments.
This elective opportunity offers a valuable hands-on clinical experience, while highlighting the medical and geographical benefits of practising medicine in rural communities.
This year, NHH welcomes Ravni Bomra, Morgan McKeown, Sierra Stokes-Heck and Karina Wilk, all currently enrolled in the Queen's-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program.
ROMP Week began Jan. 12 with a welcome reception organized by Dr. Fraser Cameron, local family physician and Ontario Health Team-Northumberland's Primary Care Physician Lead.
Dr. Cameron has enjoyed the help of fellow family physicians to act as the students' preceptors for the week – Dr. Kathy Barnard-Thompson, Dr. Marcus Cunningham, Dr. Mohamed Lebbe and Dr. Michelle Long.
In addition to clinical activities, the visiting students have also taken part in several social events during the week-long program, further helping to build their networks and connections to the region.”
“I want to thank my colleagues, who have generously given of their time to create a very fulsome experience for these students, and helping us to showcase our Northumberland hospitality,” Dr. Cameron stated in the press release.
“I want to recognize Dr. Cameron, NHH medical and administrative staff and our 2026 preceptors for taking time from their own busy work weeks to educate and inspire the next generation of family physicians,” NHH Chief of Staff Dr. Pavel Ketov added.
President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said NHH is a long-time ROMP participant.
“We recognize its positive impact on physician recruitment in rural communities,” Walsh stated.
“ROMP not only provides a unique opportunity for medical students to gain hands-on clinical experience very early on in their programs, but it can also foster what may well be lasting connections to our community and the physicians who work here today.
“Past ROMP Week students have returned to Northumberland and NHH later in their training or professional careers, demonstrating the benefit of ROMP for the students, the hospital and the community at large.”
