Just over six months after the University of Prince Edward Island’s medical program began, the dean of the faculty says things are “going wonderfully.”

“I think the students are getting an excellent experience,” Dr. Preston Smith said in an interview with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

There continues to be some turmoil in P.E.I.’s health-care system, including issues with retaining family doctors and the departure of Melanie Fraser as chief executive officer of Health P.E.I. earlier this month. 

Smith said those issues are not dimming the enthusiasm of the first cohort of 20 students who started their studies in September. He said many have shown an interest in family medicine. 

“It’s such an exciting experience just going to medical school and there’s something new every day and you gain a new skill every day,” he said. 

“A little bit of political stuff outside doesn’t take the shine off of that.”

Smith did acknowledge that the medical program relies on Island physicians to teach students, and said seeing doctors leaving the province or closing their practices has “caused me some sleepless nights.”

“But I’m confident, again, things are going really well so far,” he said. “I think we’ll not have any problems at all.”

The faculty of medicine at UPEI serves as the regional home for Memorial University of Newfoundland’s doctor of medicine program.

“We’ve got great partners in Memorial and the building is amazing,” Smith said. 

The program includes the new clinical learning and simulation centre, which uses lifelike scenarios — from patient actors to high-tech manikins and a mobile ambulance unit — to help students and health-care professionals practice real-world medical skills in a safe environment.

A medical learner at UPEI will be fully trained to become a doctor in six years: four working on their degree and two more years in a medical residency program.

The first cohort students in P.E.I. are connected to lectures taking place in St. John’s, N.L., while the Memorial students are able to listen in on lectures in Charlottetown. 

Smith said there is a team on the Island contributing to the education. 

“We’ve had 60 Island doctors involved in small group teaching, lab teaching, communication skills, learning to take a history and physical,” he said.

“That kind of important foundational work that is hands-on and has to be taught by doctors.”

Eventually, there are plans for the UPEI and Memorial faculties to work together to create a joint medical degree. 

Smith said that’s on track to happen as early as 2029, and UPEI is already looking ahead to welcoming the next group of learners.

“The admissions process is underway,” he said. “Before spring is out, another round of 20 students will get their admissions letters.”