PDSB students connect with TMU School of Medicine

At the end of last year, students from the Peel District School Board (PDSB) connected with medical students from Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine. The visit brought together high school learners and the inaugural cohort of Ontario’s first new medical school in more than 100 years.

The day reflected a powerful show of community connection and institutional momentum. It also highlighted the growing success of Ontario’s newest medical school and its commitment to equity, access, and innovation. For many students visiting from Peel high schools, the experience offered visibility. The excitement in their eyes revealed genuine optimism about future careers in health care.

Several TMU officials attended the event to welcome students and share insight into the school’s mission and vision. Among them were Karen Arthurton, Contract Lecturer in Education and the School of Social Work; Dr. Gurmeet Lall, Director of Clinical Anatomy and Simulation at TMU’s School of Medicine; and Dr. Ashifa Jiwa, Associate Dean of Equity and Social Accountability. They were joined by Dr. Trudy McFarlane, Interim Associate Dean of Black Flourishing in Medicine and Healthcare, and Dr. Dominick Shelton, Admissions Dean for the School of Medicine.

Representatives from the Peel District School Board also played an active role throughout the visit. PDSB staff included Mirjan Kistovic and Kim Thomas, both Resource Teachers, as well as Lisa Leoni, Superintendent of Leadership, Partnership, and International Programs, and Aly Soman, Lead for Partnership and Strategic Initiatives. Their presence reinforced the strong collaboration between secondary education and postsecondary health pathways.

The visit coincided with major national news for TMU’s School of Medicine. The federal government announced $25 million in capital funding to support the school, a milestone revealed in the 2025–26 federal budget tabled on November 4^th, 2025. TMU issued a press release the same day outlining the significance of the investment.

According to the release, the funding represents a historic moment for TMU, the City of Brampton, and the Peel Region. It recognizes the national importance of a medical school designed to address physician shortages and expand access to primary care across Ontario and Canada. The investment builds on Ontario’s leadership in establishing the school and reflects continued collaboration across all levels of government to improve access to care and expand medical education.

Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of TMU, emphasized the broader impact of the funding in the release. He noted that federal confidence in TMU affirms the university’s community-based, access-driven, and innovation-focused model of medical education. Lachemi described the funding as a catalyst that will help ensure facilities meet the needs of students, faculty partners, and patients while matching the school’s ambitious vision.

Optimism remained evident throughout the visit, particularly as students learned more about the school’s first-year class. The inaugural cohort includes 94 medical program students and 105 resident students. Together, they reflect the diversity of the Peel Region and signal a meaningful shift toward representation in medical education.

Many of these learners participate in TMU’s pioneering Future of Healthcare program, which supports middle school and high school students from underserved and underrepresented communities. By opening doors early and building clear pathways into medicine, the program aims to reshape who sees themselves in health care, and who ultimately serves Canada’s growing and diverse population.