MU’s School of Medicine has achieved a major milestone by receiving preliminary accreditation from the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) for its MD program, making it the 18th accredited medical school in Canada. This important step paves the way for the school to start recruiting its inaugural cohort of students for September 2025, with admissions opening on October 9, 2024, through the Ontario Medical School Application Service.
The four-year MD program is designed to foster community-driven care and a deep respect for equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation. TMU’s innovative curriculum emphasizes active, inquiry-based learning to train the next generation of physicians who will be responsive to the needs of both society and the community.
Innovative and Inclusive Admissions Approach
Dr. Teresa Chan, dean of the School of Medicine and vice-president, medical affairs, noted that the school is committed to a multifaceted, holistic admissions process. “Training innovative, inclusive physicians starts at recruitment,” she said. “Our admissions process reflects the school’s mission and focuses on selecting students with the necessary academic abilities and interpersonal skills while intentionally admitting students from equity-deserving backgrounds.”
The admissions process includes three specialized pathways in addition to the General Admissions Stream:
- Indigenous Admissions Pathway
- Black Admissions Pathway
- Equity-Deserving Admissions Pathway
These pathways are designed to reduce systemic barriers and offer a supportive environment for applicants from these underrepresented groups.
Building Clinical Partnerships for Hands-On Training
The TMU School of Medicine is also forging strong clinical partnerships, including with William Osler Health System, Trillium Health Partners, and Halton Healthcare, providing students with hands-on training across more than 10 major clinical sites. “We are proud to offer our students diverse, community-focused clinical experiences, which are critical to their medical training,” said Dr. Nirosshan Thiruchelvam, who has been instrumental in developing the residency programs.
Additionally, the school will welcome its first cohort of 105 residents in July 2025, focusing on specialties that align with local community health needs, including family medicine.
Supporting the Health-Care Needs of Ontario
Amarjot Sandhu, MPP for Brampton West, praised TMU’s efforts to expand medical education in the province. “This accreditation is a crucial step in ensuring we meet the growing health-care needs of communities like Brampton. TMU’s School of Medicine will play an essential role in addressing the shortage of physicians and improving access to quality care in underserved areas. I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our health-care system.”
A Collaborative Journey to 2025
TMU’s School of Medicine has worked closely with stakeholders, including faculty, students, community members, and local organizations, to develop a program that prioritizes the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. With over 30,000 community touchpoints during the planning process, the school has garnered insights that will guide its future medical education approach.