Akureyri Hospital
Important to Encourage Medical Students to Return Home, Especially to Rural Areas
16th October 2026
Representatives from the North Iceland Health Institution (HSN) and Akureyri Hospital (SAk) recently took part in a visit to the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Slovakia, together with representatives from Landspítali – The National University Hospital of Iceland, the Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, and the Icelandic Development Centre for Primary Healthcare. Most Icelandic medical students studying abroad are enrolled at the medical school in Martin.
“The primary purpose of the visit was to present the Icelandic healthcare system and the opportunities available for medical students to undertake clinical placements and begin working in Iceland after completing their medical degree, with a particular focus on the Foundation Training Year. Another objective was to strengthen relationships with medical students and the Faculty of Medicine in Martin, thereby creating a foundation for continued collaboration and information sharing,” says Guðrún Dóra Clarke, Executive Director of Medical Services at HSN.
Nearly 100 Icelandic medical students attended the presentation, while close to 200 Icelanders are currently studying medicine at the university.
“At Akureyri Hospital, we have had very positive experiences welcoming both students and newly qualified doctors taking their first steps in the profession. It was therefore encouraging to see the strong interest shown by the students during this visit. They received information about the application process for Foundation Training in Iceland, the structure of the training year, and the wide range of available training sites. We also emphasized the professional environment and support available to foundation trainees, as well as the opportunities this pathway can create for further specialist training,” says Harpa Snædal, Chief Medical Officer at SAk.
HSN and SAk Welcome Medical Students
The Icelandic delegation met with Andrea Calkovska, Rector of the Medical School in Martin, to discuss opportunities for continued and expanded collaboration. The group also toured the university hospital in Martin, where students gain exposure to a broad range of specialized healthcare services, including organ transplantation, cardiac catheterization, and neurosurgery.Experience shows that the vast majority of Icelandic medical students in Slovakia return to Iceland after completing their studies, although some complete part of their Foundation Training Year (previously known as the internship year) in other countries.
“HSN and SAk offer students a wide range of clinical training opportunities under excellent supervision. By becoming familiar with our operations and building relationships with staff and the local community, students are more likely to return after graduation or choose specialist training that benefits healthcare services in rural areas,” concludes Guðrún Dóra Clarke.