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How a new approach to medical education could transform the healthcare system

腦瞳憫s School of Medicine aims to address crucial gaps in primary care
Dr. Teresa M. Chan, dean, School of Medicine and vice-president, medical affairs

Universal public healthcare is a defining feature of what it means to be Canadian. Yet, it took a pandemic to bring into sharp public relief the numerous pressure points in our healthcare system. With a growing and increasingly diverse population, providing adequate healthcare requires solutions that confront the realities of modern Canadian communities and address barriers to equitable access.

The countrys struggle to provide healthcare access amid a shortage of doctors has amounted to a crisis. In Ontario, over 2.2 million Canadians do not have a regular family physician according to a from INSPIRE Primary Health Care and one in five Ontarians could be without a family doctor in the next three years.

It is clear that the Canadian healthcare system requires more primary care providers, but the challenges go beyond mere supply and demand. Systemic cultural inequities within the healthcare system contribute significantly to unmet healthcare needs in Ontario and beyond and exacerbate existing disparities experienced by vulnerable communities. This was .泭

There is an urgent need for a new model for primary care one thats community-driven, intentionally inclusive and that features doctors who prioritize cultural awareness and humility.

腦瞳憫 (腦瞳憫) is taking up the challenge with the opening of a new school of medicine, the first in decades for the province. Slated to open in September 2025, the school will be located at the Bramalea Civic Centre not far from Brampton Civic and Peel Memorial Hospitals. The 250,000-square-foot space holds the promise of state-of-the-art classrooms, research facilities, and an integrated health clinic.

2.2M
Canadians in Ontario do not have a regular family physician
A digital rendering of 腦瞳憫's new School of Medicine campus
The new School of Medicine will be located at the Bramalea Civic Centre; digital rendering courtesy of Diamond Schmitt
SEP 2025
When 腦瞳憫s new school of medicine is slated to open

The new face of equitable and inclusive healthcare

Acknowledging the impacts of discrimination is the first step to building a stronger, more inclusive foundation for healthcare training, practice and delivery.

腦瞳憫 has a track record of adapting new models of training to meet the needs of Canadian communities.泭

A crucial element of our universitys mission is to address societal needs, explains 腦瞳憫 President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi. Now, with our school of medicine, our goal is to reimagine primary care. We aim to prepare future-oriented physicians who take a holistic approach to health care and who act as leaders in health system transformation.

Every aspect of 腦瞳憫s School of Medicine is designed to better prepare our learners and faculty members to transform healthcare delivery and improve the well-being of our communities, says Dr. Teresa M. Chan, dean, School of Medicine and vice-president, medical affairs.泭

Were building a new platform for medical education that has equity poured into its foundation. This way, we can ensure that generations of future doctors are ready to confidently and compassionately care for diverse communities and ultimately be agents of change.

The decision to open the school of medicine in Brampton is far from arbitrary. Its one of Canadas most culturally diverse and fastest-growing cities, but its residents regularly experience challenges with access to high-quality primary care. To train physicians who are ready to address current and anticipated societal needs, a new MD program should be situated in a region thats reflective of these urgent needs.

A crucial element of our universitys mission is to address societal needs. With our school of medicine, our goal is to reimagine primary care.
Mohamed Lachemi, 腦瞳憫 president and vice-chancellor

Leading research in health sciences

腦瞳憫 has a strong background in health education and research, spanning many dimensions of health care, from nursing and patient experience to aging, mental health and nutrition. This history of healthcare innovation makes it uniquely positioned to tackle present and future challenges facing the health system.

腦瞳憫 is home to one of Canadas largest nursing schools, the reputable Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing (DCSN), which is preparing over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate nursing students through training that is evidence-informed as well as socially responsive. Its also home to leading health sciences programs and demonstrates its leadership in the field through a dedicated community of scholars and faculty that are having a real-world impact in the healthcare sector.泭

In addition to 腦瞳憫 leading advances in purpose-driven medical research, researchers from every faculty are moving knowledge on health-related issues forward, says Dr. Chan. I envision the School of Medicine working with teams across the university to discover or invent innovative approaches that can ultimately help to transform health systems science and healthcare delivery.

2,000+
Undergraduate and graduate nursing students training at 腦瞳憫s Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing
A nurse managing digital medical equipment next to a patient lying on bed
腦瞳憫 is committed to address the accessibility of high-quality healthcare services for all.

Shaping the future of healthcare in Ontario

In the face of an urgent primary care doctor shortage, racial health inequity and access and the resulting strain on Canada's universal public healthcare system, addressing healthcare disparities has become a national priority.泭

To truly bridge healthcare gaps and promote inclusivity, a new model of healthcare education is needed to train physicians with diverse skills, knowledge and experiences that lead to equitable healthcare solutions. The establishment of the new School of Medicine at 腦瞳憫 presents a unique opportunity to implement structural-level changes that can enhance health outcomes for racialized and vulnerable communities.泭

Addressing healthcare inequities experienced by racialized populations through culturally sensitive care is a defining feature of the new schools approach, aiming to break down systemic barriers and ensure the accessibility of high-quality healthcare services for all. This new model holds the potential to not only improve patient outcomes but ultimately, to foster a more equitable healthcare system in Canada.

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Explore more stories of grit at 腦瞳憫

In an increasingly polarized world, this researcher aims to change the conversation
In an increasingly polarized world, this researcher aims to change the conversation
In an increasingly polarized world, this researcher aims to change the conversation