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Dr. Sarah Conrad, a family physician in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, is making an impact on her community and the next generation of doctors. She was recently recognized as one of four recipients of the Undergraduate Preceptor of the Year Award for 2023-24 from the Department of Family Medicine at Dalhousie University. The other honorees include Dr. Daniel Bayard, Dr. Raiche-Marsden, and Dr. Susan MacLeod.
Originally from Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Dr. Conrad completed her undergraduate studies in chemistry at Mount Saint Vincent University before pursuing medicine at Dalhousie University, followed by a residency in family medicine. “I loved learning and gaining knowledge, but I realized I wanted to work with people. That’s what led me to medicine.”
Dr. Conrad was born at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, where she now works. Her connection to the South Shore was cemented during her residency, where she worked under the guidance of three preceptors in Lunenburg. “They took me on for three months, and I ended up staying with the practice,” she reflected. Fourteen years later, she remains deeply committed to the region.
In addition to caring for her patients, Dr. Conrad has spent over a decade mentoring medical trainees. She has served as a preceptor for family medicine residents during their community rotations and is also involved in Dalhousie’s Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC) program, which brings medical students to the South Shore for immersive learning experiences. This year, she became the primary preceptor for the South Shore’s first dedicated family medicine resident, Dr. Maya Venkataraman.
When asked how she inspires her residents amid challenges facing family medicine physicians, Dr. Conrad emphasized leading by example. “I love my job, and they see that I’ve established a good work-life balance on the South Shore. It shows them that family medicine can be a rewarding, varied and sustainable career.”
For Dr. Conrad, variety is one of the highlights of her career. “I’m not just in my office—I also round on inpatients at the hospital and work as part of the obstetrics team at South Shore Regional,” she explained. “They see that family medicine can include so many opportunities, and that’s inspiring for them.”
"Dr. Conrad is not only a passionate and skilled community family physician; she is also a dedicated instructor and preceptor to all medical students and residents who rotate through the South Shore," said Michelle Wile, manager of the Women and Children’s Health Program/Midwifery/Ambulatory Care at South Shore Regional Hospital. "Whether she is in her clinic in Lunenburg, looking after inpatients at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, or delivering babies at South Shore Regional, she always takes the time to teach and mentor the learners working alongside her. Dr. Conrad has made a lasting impression on Dalhousie Medicine, and we all know she will continue to do so throughout her career."
Dr. Sarah Conrad represents the essence of rural family medicine with her dedication to her patients, community, and mentoring future doctors. Congratulations to all recipients of the Undergraduate Preceptor of the Year Award for 2023-24!