“For personal and professional reasons, I can’t see choosing anywhere else to live.”
Dr. Emily Rice grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and, after attending medical school in Ottawa and completing her residency in British Columbia, came back to the eastern part of the province to establish her practice. “There was a likelihood that I would come back to Nova Scotia because it was always an intention to come home.”
Today, she practices in Antigonish among a group of physicians with whom she feels comfortable and supported. Dr. Rice believes that mentorship and a supportive environment are important in order to provide high-quality care. This type of environment exists in Antigonish, saying “I love the collegiality between physicians and physicians across all specialties.” It is in part due to the active responsiveness she experiences from her fellow physicians across Nova Scotia to the needs of her patient population that she knows she is able to provide great care in her rural community.
“When I call into the city for help from our specialist colleagues, they always welcome us with open arms. When I ask for help, people are happy to help me provide good care.” Having practiced medicine in other communities outside of Nova Scotia, Dr. Rice attributes Antigonish’s well-balanced environment to her decision to raise her family here.
“There is no time wasted here,” she says about her short commutes to work. “Even the lines at the grocery go by fast!”
“If I am needed somewhere, I can take a call at the beach.” Nearby warm-water beaches and bike rides along the coast are just a few ways she, her husband, and children spend quality time together – things she is able to do because of where she lives. Antigonish is a vibrant town with a strong sense of community ownership that, according to Dr. Rice, thrives with the help of volunteer input and local activity efforts. Shopping at the farmer’s market, browsing the local library, and hosting neighborhood Saturday night BBQs all make for a rewarding life in rural Nova Scotia.