A Vision for Local, Innovative Medical Training

SHN is strengthening a longstanding legacy of healthcare education in Scarborough through a strategic partnership with the new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) at the University of Toronto (U of T).

With a commitment to equipping medical and interprofessional students to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the Scarborough community, SHN is evolving its education programming under the new Strategic Plan 2024–2029. At the helm is Dr. Samir Grover, SHN’s inaugural Executive Vice President, Education, and SHN Research Institute’s first Research Chair in Education. Renowned in gastroenterology education, Dr. Grover developed U of T’s endoscopic simulation course and conducts cutting-edge research in technology-enhanced learning, including virtual reality.

Building a State-of-the-Art Education and Research Centre

Dr. Grover has led the formation of a multidisciplinary SHN Education Committee and administrative team overseeing all education operations, including initiatives for SAMIH. A key component of this work is the construction of a state-of-the-art Education and Research Centre next to Centenary Hospital. This Centre will be part of the Scarborough Health Centre of Excellence and will include innovative interprofessional primary care teams.

“We are seeing tremendous interest from donors who want to help ignite the innovation, education, and research at the new Education and Research Centre,” said David Graham, President and CEO, SHN. “Donors will play a vital role in enabling SHN to realize this new building and inspire every student and teacher who uses it. Our new training centre will be critical in supporting students to make the most of their education with spaces for collaboration, socialization, and well-being.”

Leading Education with Expertise and Collaboration

‍In spring 2024, Dr. Grover and Dr. Marcus Law, Associate Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine MD Program, appointed Dr. Caroline Chan as Director of the MD Program at SAMIH. Dr. Chan is SHN’s simulation co-lead for faculty development of emergency physicians and a member of SHN’s Emergency Services MD Council.

Planning for the Education and Research Centre is already underway, with visioning sessions involving architects, project managers, SHN staff, physicians, educators, and researchers. Dr. Grover, Dr. Chan, and the Education Committee are eagerly anticipating the Centre’s opening, which will mark the start of a transformative era for locally tailored medical education.

Donor Support Drives Scarborough’s Medical Future

‍“Thanks to the generosity of donors and our partnership with SAMIH, we will deliver made-in-Scarborough education to our community’s future doctors and health professionals,” said Dr. Grover. “This is how we will ensure Scarborough has the same access to healthcare, research, and clinical trials as the rest of Toronto.”

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