Dr. Geoff Zerr: Leading the Way in Rural Medicine through the Saskatchewan Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (SLIC) Program
Dr. Geoff Zerr has been a key part of the Saskatchewan Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (SLIC) program since 2020 and recently assumed the role of Director for the province. As a general practitioner in Melfort, SK, Dr. Zerr is deeply passionate about rural medicine and is dedicated to sharing this passion with all learners at the Melfort site.
Reflecting on the success of the SLIC program, Dr. Zerr is proud of the strong, independent students it produces. These students develop exceptional skills and often function similarly to residents by the time they complete the program. He believes one of the program's strengths is its emphasis on student involvement in patient cases and follow-ups, allowing students to see the outcomes of their treatments.
Dr. Zerr's love for rural medicine and teaching stems from his involvement in sports and coaching during his youth. He learned the importance of getting involved in the things you love to pass them on to the next generation. Through SLIC, Dr. Zerr aims to promote rural medicine to his students and inspire them to explore opportunities in this field.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Zerr enjoys spending time with his daughters, learning to play golf, and listening to Silk Sonic, which he highly recommends.
Meet Dr. Geoff Zerr
What is your name and professional title? My name is Dr. Geoff Zerr, Director of the Saskatchewan Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship program and general practitioner in Melfort, SK.
How long have you been involved in the SLIC program and in what capacity? I have been involved with the SLIC program as co-director of the Melfort site since 2020 and recently stepped into the role of provincial director in 2023.
The SLIC program has had many successes since we first piloted in 2018. What is something you are proud of in relation to the program and those who have participated in it? I’m probably biased, but I think the students that have come through the program have been exceptionally strong and function so independently. We get to see these students grow and thrive over the course of the year they work with us and into their future careers as residents and attendings.
What drives your passion for medical education? Growing up, I was involved in many sports and did a lot of coaching as a result. It taught me that if you want to help promote or grow something you love, you should get involved with passing it on to the next generation. I love rural medicine, and SLIC is a great way to promote it and inspire students to explore the career. I also consider myself a lifelong learner, so it’s also a great way for me to stay up-to-date and learn from the students.
What makes the SLIC program desirable to students who may be considering applying? I think the most attractive part of SLIC is the hands-on learning. In each of our sites over 40 weeks, the SLIC students are first in line for getting directly involved with patient cases, whether it’s assessing, suturing, assisting, etc. Students learn quickly when they are one-on-one with their preceptors and get to see many patients in follow-up to see how their treatments turn out. The goal is always to help customize things for the students to make them well-rounded and get them functioning more like residents by the time they are done.
As the SLIC director for the province, what are some of your hopes for the program going forward? I’d love to see the program expand. I think there are many communities across the province that can provide amazing and unique experiences for our students, and I hope to reach out to new sites. I also hope that the program can continue to promote rural family medicine, as I truly think it is an underappreciated specialty that many students never consider.
What do you like to do in your spare time outside of Medicine? I’ve been busy at home with my two daughters (ages 1 and 3) most of the time. If I ever have free time beyond that, I’ve been trying to learn to golf, but I think I definitely need some lessons.
What is one song you think everyone should listen to? Anything by Silk Sonic!