On June 10, 2025, more than 130 clinical and administrative staff from the University of Toronto (U of T), Scarborough Health Network (SHN), and Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) gathered at The Guild Inn Estate for the Scarborough Academy of Medicine (SAM) Medical Education Summit — a defining moment in the ongoing transformation of medical education in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA.
SAM — the medical education pillar of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) — is a product of deep collaboration between U of T, SHN and MGH. SAM will welcome its first cohort of undergraduate MD students at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) in 2027. An increasing number of MD students will be learning at partner hospitals starting this year.
The SAM Medical Education Summit offered a thoughtfully designed agenda that balanced strategy, reflection, and action, creating space for the kind of meaningful human connection that reminded us why this work matters.
Through structured breakout groups, participants exchanged candid reflections, challenged assumptions, and surfaced fresh ideas about how to build better learning environments. There was a shared sense that something meaningful is taking shape in Scarborough—and that the people in the room are not just witnessing it, but actively building it.
A United Commitment to a Common Goal
The evening opened with a joint welcome from Dr. Patricia Houston (Vice Dean, Medical Education at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine), Melanie Kohn (President & CEO, MGH), and David Graham (President & CEO, SHN), who underscored their collective commitment to SAM’s success. Each leader affirmed that SAM is not only a strategic priority, but a deeply personal investment in Scarborough’s future. They reflected on the need to ensure that SAM is not only based in Scarborough, but rooted in its identity — infusing the Academy’s foundation with the diversity, resilience, and cultural richness that define the community it serves.
That sentiment was echoed by Dr. Caroline Chan (Director, SAM MD Program) and Dr. Peter Tzakas (Director, Medical Education, MGH), who reflected on the decades of teaching and community care that have shaped both SHN and MGH. Their remarks highlighted that SAM is not starting from scratch—it’s building on a foundation that already runs deep in Scarborough’s healthcare landscape.
Dr. Lisa Robinson (Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and U of T’s Vice Provost Relations with Healthcare Institutions) emphasized the broader impact of SAM on the Scarborough community, underscoring how this initiative will improve access to care, foster local talent, and inspire the next generation of healthcare leaders.
Another notable moment came from Minette MacNeil (Director, Professional Practice, SHN), who shared how nursing education continues to evolve despite ongoing system pressures. Her message: resilient, learner-focused training models are not only possible—they’re already underway.
Looking Ahead
As SAM prepares to welcome its first full cohort of 40 medical students, the work ahead is ambitious—but deeply rooted in shared purpose. The summit reinforced that clinical training in Scarborough is not just about education delivery. It’s about equity, local investment, and designing an experience where learners feel supported, challenged, and inspired.
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QUOTES:
“The Scarborough Academy of Medicine is a transformative step for health care and education in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA. As part of the broader Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health, it reflects our commitment to training future health professionals where they’re needed most. This progress is only possible through strong collaboration with Michael Garron Hospital, Scarborough Health Network, the University of Toronto Scarborough, and Temerty Medicine. Together, we’re building a healthier, more equitable future — rooted in community and partnership.”
– Lisa Robinson, Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, University of Toronto
“Our health network sees the incredible potential in the Scarborough Academy of Medicine as a transformative investment in our community’s health and future. By embedding medical education within the fabric of Scarborough, we’re not only training the next generation of physicians – we’re cultivating a healthcare workforce that reflects and understands the people we serve. SAM allows us to deepen our commitment to innovation, expand access to care, and build a system where learners and patients thrive together. This is more than a partnership – it’s a shared vision for a healthier, stronger Scarborough.”
– David Graham, President and CEO at Scarborough Health Network
“At Michael Garron Hospital, we believe learning and discovery are cornerstones of advancing healthcare and they are what drive us to innovate, adapt and challenge the status quo. Through our partnership with the Scarborough Academy of Medicine, MGH will not only host SAM medical trainees for clinical rotations on our campus – providing learners with the modern skills and tools required to deliver evidence-based, high-quality care today and in the future – we will also have the opportunity to strengthen research links with the University of Toronto and establish our first chair in education in collaboration with the school. All of this will advance our ability to train tomorrow’s outstanding healthcare leaders so they can help improve access and care for patients who live in our region.”
– Melanie Kohn, President and CEO at Michael Garron Hospital
“We’re not just training students – we’re shaping the future of healthcare in Scarborough. At its core, SAM is about people – those who teach, those who learn, and those who support both. The summit served as a powerful reminder that when we come together, share openly, and align around a common goal, real transformation becomes possible. Whether you care for patients, learn from those who do, build behind the scenes, or are an educator – there is a place for you in this journey. We look forward to continuing building, together.”
– Dr. Caroline Chan, Director, Scarborough Academy of Medicine MD Program
Photos taken at the SAM Medical Education Summit
