Medical Student Chooses to Build Career in the Saint John Region

Staying Home to Make a Difference

For Matt Douglas, choosing a career in family medicine wasn’t just a professional decision - it was personal.

Born and raised in Rothesay, Matt always envisioned building a life in the place he calls home. After completing his undergraduate degree in Fredericton and working in health research - including roles with Horizon and in clinical trials - he knew he wanted to take a more hands-on role in the health care system.

“Going into medicine had always been in the back of my mind,” Matt shares. “But during university, I kept reading more about the family doctor shortage and the increasing need in communities like ours. That’s what really pushed me toward it.”

Now a second-year medical student at Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Matt has confirmed what he suspected all along, family medicine is where he’s meant to be. 

“I was probably 95% sure going into med school,” he laughs. “Then I got some hands-on exposure and realized this is really what I want to do.”

Matt is one of the first recipients of Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency’s Medical Student Bursary, an initiative designed to attract and retain Family Medicine physicians to the region. For Matt, the bursary was a vote of confidence.

“Anyone in med school takes on a lot of debt, so anything that helps alleviate that is really appreciated,” he says. “But beyond that, it’s encouraging. It shows the community wants doctors to stay around. It makes me feel like I’m making the right choice by planning to work here.”

Through extracurriculars like the Kids Run Club, Matt has found new ways to connect with his community outside of textbooks and clinics. 

“Kids Run Club brings med students to different elementary schools, and we facilitate activities and exercises with the kids, and encourage them be active and teach them some running tips,” he explained. “Being involved in the community has definitely made me feel more connected to the area, while also helping me develop my leadership skills.”

Matt also hopes to contribute to his community not only by providing care, but also by advocating for structural changes within the health care system. 

“The family doctor shortage is a huge issue, and it affects families here in Saint John,” he says. “I’m hoping that by staying, I can be one more person helping to turn that around.”

He also sees advantages to training in a smaller province like New Brunswick. 

“You get more one-on-one clinical exposure early on that you wouldn’t get in larger centres. I’ve worked directly with neurologists and oncologists - things that students in other provinces might not see until later. That kind of access really helps guide you.”

Matt says Saint John offers the perfect balance of nature, community, and opportunity.

“It’s the right size for me. I like the quiet of the surrounding communities, but I also like being close to the city, the events, and everything going on.”

When asked what advice he’d give to other med students considering their future in the region, Matt doesn’t hesitate… “There’s a lot of value in staying. The connections, the early clinical experience, and the community support - it all makes a difference.”