York University School of Medicine York University School of Medicine Earns MD Program Approval

A New Approach to Medical Education

York University is building a new kind of medical school, one that strengthens community health by transforming how physicians are trained and how care is delivered. With the Government of Ontario’s announcement to support further development for the school, we are accelerating the pace to new medical doctor programs in the fastest growing region in Ontario.

Meeting Ontario's Urgent Health Care Needs

Ontario faces a critical shortage of primary care physicians, especially in underserved urban settings, fast-growing regions surrounding major cities and rural and remote communities. York University’s School of Medicine will help address these gaps by preparing physicians to deliver integrated, community-based care.

Without access to a family doctor, many Ontarians rely on hospitals for conditions that could be treated earlier and more effectively in primary care settings. This drives up health care costs and places pressure on community hospitals. York’s new School of Medicine is designed to change that.

Program Overview

The York University School of Medicine will offer a unique-in-Canada, accelerated three-year MD program and postgraduate residency training dedicated to educating family medicine and generalist physicians.

Powered by the Integrated Community-Based Learning Network (ICLN), our planned MD curriculum replaces traditional short-term clinical rotations with immersive, community-based clinical learning experiences starting in the second year. Students follow patients over time and work alongside health care teams across primary care, hospitals, and community settings to build local roots and address the changing health care needs of Ontarians.

Postgraduate learners will train in family medicine and generalist specialties including internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and general surgery.

Launching in 2028

Pending approval from the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), York University will welcome its inaugural class of medical students marking the start of a new chapter in community-focused medical education.

View our progress

Admissions

80 undergraduate medical students annually in an accelerated three-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program

Postgraduate Training

102 residents in family medicine and generalist specialties including general internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and general surgery

Building on our Strengths

Top 5

in Maclean's University 2025 Rankings (comprehensive category)

36 000+

experiential learning opportunities each year

Top 10

Kinesiology and Health Sciences program in Canada (THE World University Rankings 2024)

No.1

in Quality Education in Canada (THE Impact Rankings 2025)

350+

global partnerships in 60+ countries

Top 40

in the world for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (THE Impact Rankings 2025)

No.1

in Ontario for global collaborative research publications (SciVal 2020-2024)

30,000+

Faculty of Health Alumni since the creation in 2006

"In building a medical school dedicated to training family medicine and generalist physicians, we aim to transform how doctors are educated, equipping them to adapt to the changing needs of our communities and our health system. Through our unique-in-Canada curriculum, including an accelerated three-year MD program, residency training, and partnerships with local health care providers, we're championing person-centred care that leverages deep community learning experiences to strengthen community health from home to hospital.” - David Peters, dean of the Faculty of Health and School of Medicine

What's New

York University School of Medicine receives $55.8 million from Ontario government to support path to accreditation and 2028 launch

As a new medical school focused on training family medicine and generalist physicians, the York University School of Medicine is expected to open in 2028, pending successful accreditation. It will bolster Ontario's pipeline of primary care providers, helping fulfill Ontario's commitment to ensure that everyone who wants to have primary care provider can access one.

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