The York University School of Medicine is moving forward with its vision for community-centred medical education after earning approval for its Doctor of Medicine (MD) program from the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance.
The decision marks a significant milestone in the establishment of the School of Medicine, paving the way for its anticipated 2028 opening.
“Receiving approval from the Quality Council is a key stepping stone in our progress toward launching the School of Medicine,” says David Peters, dean of the Faculty of Health and School of Medicine. “It allows us to move forward with our unique-in-Canada curriculum, intended to educate primary care physicians and generalist specialists through community-based learning that prioritizes continuity of care, community health, social accountability and interprofessional collaboration.”
The Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) program at York is being developed as a three-year degree designed to meet the growing need for community-based primary care. It will prepare the next generation of physicians to understand and address the complex factors influencing health in the regions they serve.
York’s immersive curriculum intends to train family physicians and generalist specialists in fields including pediatrics, general internal medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and general surgery. The program is designed to embed students in communities serving diverse populations across North Toronto, York Region, South Simcoe and North Simcoe/Muskoka. This immersion aims to enable graduates to establish long-term roots and continue their practice locally.
York’s curriculum will replace traditional short-term clerkship rotations with longer blocks of primary and generalist specialty placements in communities to support continuity of care for patients. To ensure graduates are equipped to lead modern medical practices, the curriculum integrates foundational sciences with training in health services and systems. With a focus on social responsibility, York University-trained physicians will be prepared to meet the health priorities of diverse communities. Students will actively engage with decolonizing, equity, diversity and inclusion throughout their studies while learning to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing into their future practice.
The Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance oversees quality assurance processes for all levels of programs in Ontario’s publicly assisted universities. This approval continues ongoing positive momentum as York University builds relationships with local physicians and continues to collaborate with health care partners within the School of Medicine’s future service area, who will provide learning environments and clinical placements for future students. These crucial affiliate partners include Mackenzie Health, Oak Valley Health and Southlake Health, working in coordination with their local Ontario Health Teams.
The development of the School of Medicine is supported by a strong foundation of provincial and municipal investment. The project is backed by start-up funding from the Government of Ontario and recently secured a $25-million contribution from York Region Council for proposed infrastructure and development, providing foundational supports for the University's progress through the accreditation process. The City of Vaughan has donated land for a proposed building within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.
To learn more, visit the York University School of Medicine website.