Practice Medicine | live life by the sea
Start Your Journey with Nova Scotia Health
Your pathway to practicing medicine in Yarmouth & Area begins with Nova Scotia Health (NSH) — the first and most important step in bringing your medical career to Nova Scotia. By contacting NSH, you’ll be connected with a recruitment team that helps match your expertise and career goals with available opportunities across the province, including in our welcoming coastal communities of Southwest Nova Scotia.
From there, NSH will coordinate the next stages of your transition, including credential verification and licensing, working closely with Canada’s medical regulatory bodies to confirm your qualifications. You’ll then move through the application and assessment process, with guidance on any bridging programs or additional steps needed to meet provincial standards.
guidance Beyond the clinic
Your Community Navigator: Helping You Feel at Home in Yarmouth & Area
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a formal offer from Nova Scotia Health (NSH) and gain access to comprehensive relocation assistance designed to make your move as smooth as possible.
Relocating to a new community can feel overwhelming, but in Yarmouth & Area, you won’t be doing it alone. As your Community Navigator, we’re here to help you and your family every step of the way — from housing and schools to local networks, community groups, and essential services. Our role is to ensure you feel supported, connected, and at home from day one.
Training the Next Generation of Physicians
South West Nova Family Medicine Residency Program
Dalhousie Medical School’s South West Nova Family Medicine Residency Program offers medical residents a comprehensive, community-centred learning experience in Yarmouth and the surrounding region. While not a full medical school campus, Yarmouth serves as the program’s main academic site, providing hands-on training at Yarmouth Regional Hospital and affiliated community clinics. Residents gain longitudinal exposure to family and internal medicine within a supportive teaching environment — developing the clinical skills, confidence, and community insight needed to build a rewarding medical career in Southwest Nova Scotia.
Community-Focused Training
Internal Medicine Fellows Program
The Dalhousie University Internal Medicine Fellows Program offers a full, accredited core training experience grounded in the principle of graded responsibility.
Through placements at regional centres, including Yarmouth Regional Hospital, residents gain exposure to a wide spectrum of internal medicine disciplines in both inpatient and outpatient settings. With faculty mentors committed to education and the strength of a close-knit medical community, you’ll develop the clinical expertise and confidence necessary for a career in general internal medicine or a subspecialty.
Training Begins Here
Medical Learners Welcome to Southwest NS
At Yarmouth Regional Hospital, we’re proud to serve as a learning site for medical students, residents and other health sciences learners. From day one, our students build hands-on experience in a supportive, closely-mentored environment — surrounded by skilled physicians, engaged community healthcare teams, and the vibrant life of Nova Scotia’s southwest coast. Whether you’re just beginning your medical journey or advancing your career, our region gives you meaningful clinical exposure in a place where you’re seen, supported and connected.
Support Every Step of the Way
International Physicians: Your Transition Made Simple
If you’re relocating from outside Canada, Nova Scotia Health’s Immigration team will guide you through every requirement, including work permits, visas, and provincial nomination programs, ensuring a smooth and straightforward process. You’ll also be supported by our Community Navigator, who helps you and your family settle into life in Yarmouth & Area by connecting you with housing, schools, and community networks. Together, we make your move to Nova Scotia a seamless experience, so you can focus on building your new life and career with confidence.
