Resident Ambassador for Electives in Rural Health: Welcoming Dr. Sigogini Sivarajah

Canada’s Northern and rural communities face ongoing challenges in accessing anesthesia care. To help address this, the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine has launched the Resident Ambassador for Electives in Rural/Northern Health, a role designed to support and expand elective opportunities for residents in underserved regions.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sigogini Sivarajah has been appointed as the inaugural Resident Ambassador for Electives in Rural/Northern Health.

Dr. Sivarajah has been central in developing this new role, researching programs and outlining goals to ensure meaningful opportunities for residents. “I wanted to help bridge this experience with opportunities in communities where resources are more limited.” She adds, “Rural electives create a two-way exchange. Residents gain invaluable skills working in diverse settings, while also sharing knowledge and experiences that may benefit the communities they serve.”

She is also excited for the personal learning these experiences offer. “My time in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Northern Ontario has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned invaluable lessons from elders that I apply daily,” she notes. “Practicing in settings without full hospital resources offers profound opportunities for growth and resilience.”

What the Role Involves

Dr. Sivarajah will identify and develop elective sites across Northern and rural Canada, work with community leaders, support learning objectives, assist with funding, and gather feedback to refine the program. She aims to “create clearer pathways for trainees to secure electives." Recognizing that residents typically must seek these opportunities independently, she hopes that by "streamlining the process and increasing awareness of available placements, we can help more residents pursue rural training.”

Why Rural Electives Matter

Dr. Sivarajah highlights that “understanding healthcare accessibility and cultural safety is fundamental to being a physician. Rural electives strengthen advocacy, leadership, and collaboration—skills that are vital for anesthesiologists and physicians alike.” She also emphasizes that these experiences can also have a lasting impact on how residents approach medicine, preparing them to take on diverse clinical scenarios and multiple roles in their future practice.

Building Long-Term Impact

The initiative aims to inspire residents to incorporate rural or remote practice into their careers and continue contributing to communities. “Meaningful experiences during residency often inspire trainees to incorporate rural or remote practice into their careers, even if only part-time. Residents can also continue contributing beyond their elective—through virtual teaching or workshops—building sustainable, long-term relationships with these communities,” says Dr. Sivarajah. She hopes that, over time, “this could strengthen both the workforce and the support available to patients in remote areas.”