General Information
Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is a community teaching hospital, nestled in one of the most diverse communities in Canada. With our three hospitals, multiple satellite sites, and many regional and speciality programs, we are the third largest community teaching hospital provider in Ontario.
SHN offers unique educational opportunities in both hospital and community settings for medical students, residents, and fellows – as well as dental, midwife, and physician assistant students. Our 400+ faculty-appointed physicians are experts in their fields, training learners in classrooms, cutting-edge simulation labs, and through hands-on experience across a range of medical specialties.
We have a rich history of teaching that includes a longstanding affiliation with the University of Toronto and membership in the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. With our new Education Strategy 2024-2029, we are expanding in bold and exciting ways – such as our growing partnership with U of T and the upcoming Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health opening in 2027; as well as building greater infrastructure, including an all-new state-of-the-art facility.
We are proudly preparing a new generation of healthcare professionals with the skills, compassion, and knowledge to meet the evolving needs of diverse communities like Scarborough.
Message from Dr. Samir Grover, Executive Vice President, Academics
When I first arrived in Scarborough, the diversity struck me right away, and it has never stopped inspiring me. That diversity is not just a characteristic of our community – it’s an asset, and it lies at the heart of a transformation that will see SHN become Canada’s leading community teaching health network.
Message from Dr. Caroline Chan, Academy Director, Scarborough Academy of Medicine
My journey with SHN began over two decades ago, and I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of our educational initiatives. With deep roots in the Scarborough community, I am committed to fostering an environment that nurtures the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Featured news
SHN in our Education era
Check out how SHN is bringing together diverse medical training and world-class infrastructure to achieve more equitable health outcomes for Scarborough.
Our Education team
SHN Education Leadership
| Dr. Samir Grover | Executive Vice-President, Education |
| Caroline Chan | Academy Director, Scarborough Academy of Medicine |
| Sasha Singh | Director, Education |
Medical Education Office
| Charmaine Retanal | Executive Assistant to Dr. Samir Grover |
| Charina Roa | Administrative Assistant, Education |
| Stacey McKeown | Program Coordinator, Family Medicine Residency and Clerkship Programs |
| Rachel Marcelo | Education Coordinator |
| Benson Fong | Education Coordinator |
| Prince Olagoke | Digital Communications Coordinator |
| Nikko Gimpaya | Research Manager |
| William Tran | Research Coordinator |
Physician Education Leads
| Dr. Paris Lai | Psychiatry |
| Dr. Joshua Landy | Education and Innovation |
| Dr. Pegah Shahriaree (Shah) | Medicine |
| Dr. Kristine Lamorena | Emergency |
| Dr. Nina Venkatarangam (Venka) | OBGYN |
| Dr. Ryan Katchky | Surgery |
| Dr. Laurie Sellings | Anesthesia |
| Dr. Jennifer McDonald | Postgraduate, Family Medicine |
| Dr. Karthika Sithamparanathan | Undergraduate, Family Medicine |
| Dr. Leah Tattum | Pediatrics (General Hospital) |
| Dr. Rikin Patel | Pediatrics (Centenary Hospital) |
Contact information
For questions or more information, please contact MedicalEducation@shn.ca
Medical Education Opportunities
Medical Trainees
We are recognized for our one-to-one medical teaching, ensuring medical trainees get focused time and attention from their excellent preceptors. Our trainees value the opportunity we provide for hands-on teaching within a diverse community, where they can actively treat patients.
SHN offers clinical placements to medical trainees in a variety of areas. Preceptors accept trainees based on their availability, time and practice capabilities when contacted by U of T. Please use the University preceptor catalog to find a preceptor. Once your preceptor is obtained and confirmed with U of T, the Medical Education Office will register you with the hospital. Trainees must register with the hospital prior to starting their rotation.
Medical students and residents who are not from the University of Toronto must register with U of T for their elective. Once confirmation from U of T is received, please contact SHN’s Medical Education office and we will register you before your rotation start. All trainees must register with the hospital prior to starting their rotation.
Midwife Students and Physician Assistants
SHN supports a number of Midwifery programs along with the UofT/NOMS physician assistant training program. Please contact your school to organize a rotation through SHN.
Contact information
- Medical students: For questions or to learn more about medical education opportunities, contact MedicalEducation@shn.ca.
- U of T Post-Graduates: To complete an elective at SHN, please register at PGME Electives Program (utoronto.ca).
- U of T Registered Medical Students: To complete an elective at SHN, please register via MedSIS or contact electives.uoft@utoronto.ca.
- Visiting Medical Student (outside of U of T): To complete an elective at SHN, please register at University Of Toronto – Student Portal | Portail étudiant (afmcstudentportal.ca).
Family Medicine Program
Postgraduate Family Medicine Residency Program
SHN is a training site for the University of Toronto – Postgraduate Family Medicine Residency Program, which is a learner-centered program with both urban and rural preceptor experiences available. The program provides community-based experiences with an emphasis on real-world, hands-on clinical training, along with core academic teaching at the Scarborough site.
Each resident is matched with a community-based Family Medicine preceptor to meet their individual learning needs. All preceptors offer opportunities for residents to participate as a member of the primary health care team looking after populations with diverse health care requirements.
Residents receive training in hospital-based settings, including Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Internal Medicine and Subspecialties, General Surgery, Psychiatry, Palliative Care and Emergency Medicine. The two-year program leads to eligibility for certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Undergraduate Family Medicine Clerkship Program
SHN is a training site for the University of Toronto – Family Medicine Undergraduate Medical Education Program. Medical students in their third and fourth year of study are identified as clerks. The Family Medicine Undergraduate Program provides one-on-one clinical teaching with considerable hands-on opportunities in a community office setting.
All undergraduate students receive exposure to Family Medicine and may go on to choose this as their area of specialty upon graduation from medical school. A seminar series, consisting of three four-hour sessions is taught by family physicians and residents. The series is conducted for the students in cooperation with North York General Hospital, Sunnybrook Hospital and Michael Garron Hospital.
Contact information
New or prospective learners, please contact:
Stacey McKeown
Program Assistant, Family Medicine Residency Program & Family Medicine Clerkship Program
416-431-8200 ext. 6591
smckeown@shn.ca