Rachel Bethune is a final-year medical student at the University of Calgary. Before pursuing a career in medicine, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Queen’s University and her Master of Public Health degree at the University of Saskatchewan. 

As part of the Calgary Medical Students Association, Rachel has recently completed multiple student leadership roles with the Alberta Medical Association, including past chair of the AMA’s Committee on Student Affairs and a voting delegate at the AMA Representative Forums. In partnership with the University of Alberta representative, Rachel led the organization of the first joint AMA/CMA Advocacy Symposium, where student attendees listened to keynotes from the presidents of both organizations. 

Rachel’s other roles include student observer on the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta Council (2018), work for groups within the provincial physician resource planning structure, and multiple involvements with policy groups through the Canadian Federation of Medical Students. She has also worked to set up new conference funding for students and has been involved in advocacy work around student mistreatment. In addition to exploring new advocacy projects, she is currently in clerkship and enjoying all the clinical experiences and learning opportunities.