Distributed Learning & Rural Initiatives
Connecting preceptors, students, researchers, healthcare professionals and rural communities.
About DLRI
Our Mission
Engage Communities. Inspire Social Accountability.
Create Opportunities.
Our Vision
At DLRI, we believe in providing quality healthcare to the people of rural Alberta. We strive to accomplish this goal by fostering and sustaining meaningful relationships between medical educators, healthcare professionals in training, individuals and families living in rural communities. Our commitment to education, research and continuous improvement results in the recruitment and retention of dedicated and skilled rural physicians.
Our Focus
DLRI facilitates the training of rural healthcare professionals and enriches rural medical landscape by focusing on the below key areas.
UCLIC
UCLIC is a 32 week clerkship option for 3rd year medical students interested in learning medicine in a generalist environment. Students are based in a family practice in a rural or regional community and learn the generalist specialties in an integrated fashion by following their patients from the clinic to specialty consults, surgery, delivery, etc.
Community Engagement
DLRI partners with a tight-knit group of rural and regional physicians to provide the best in healthcare and medical education in their communities. We facilitate student and preceptor learning by providing valuable resources that keep preceptors up-to-date with the latest medical practices, and help them improve and hone their teaching skills.
Faculty Development
DLRI provides ample learning and faculty development opportunities for the preceptors we partner with across Alberta. From our many faculty development conferences to our monthly Rural Connections workshops, there are many chances to sharpen and develop your skills.
SIM & Equipment Funding Competition
We are excited to announce that for 2025-2026, DLRI has $40,000 is available to support medical education training in rural and regional communities.
Rural Health Research Funding Competition
DLRI is pleased to announce our fourth annual Rural Health Research Funding Competition! We are inviting rural researchers to submit proposals for short-term research projects.
What’s New At DLRI?
Save The Date For Cabin Fever!
Cabin Fever is DLRI’s annual faculty development conference dedicated to advancing rural medical education. Each year, rural physicians, preceptors, learners, and healthcare professionals come together in Kananaskis for three days of connection, learning, and collaboration.
Join us in 2026 to explore new ideas, share research, and celebrate the people and innovations shaping the future of rural healthcare.
Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP)
Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) is an innovative educational partnership between the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge aimed at enhancing medical education and healthcare in Southern Alberta by providing cutting-edge training to undergraduate medical students.
Let's Stay Connected
Distributed Learning and Rural Initiatives
3330 Hospital Drive NW, HMRB, G12
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1