Dr. Hemant Shah, William Osler Health System’s Vice President of Academics
An exciting transformation is underway in the Central West region thanks to the unwavering commitment of frontline physicians and staff who are committed to expanding access to the highest standards of health care, particularly for the region's most vulnerable populations, and to an exciting Vision for the future.
Building on its longstanding commitments to clinical care, education, research and community engagement, William Osler Health System (Osler) is evolving from one of Ontario's leading community hospitals into a community-based academic health centre. And as the primary affiliated partner for Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)'s new School of Medicine, Osler is well positioned to shape the future of medical education and health care delivery in the region and beyond.
“Over the next few years, Osler expects to move into the top tier of academic institutions in Ontario as we expand our education programs and grow our research capabilities," said Dr. Hemant Shah, Osler's Vice President, Academics. “This transformation reflects Osler's commitment to providing a foundational educational and medical experience that enables learners to translate what they're learning in the classroom to real-life experiences, enriching medical training in the communities we serve."
A growing trend in medical education is the recognition that a person's health is shaped by so much more than just physical disease, including social, environmental and economic factors. Across Osler's sites, learners will experience firsthand how diverse aspects of a person's life impact their health and learn to provide care that is sensitive to these determinants of health.
Osler's multi-site health system, which includes Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness, a Reactivation Care Unit and a Withdrawal Management Centre, serves one of Ontario's fastest growing and most culturally diverse regions. The population experiences a high prevalence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Among the 1.3 million residents across Osler's community, 76 per cent identify as visible minorities, and 52 per cent as immigrants, bringing unique perspectives and challenges to health care delivery.
“Osler's approach equips learners to address these complexities with a deep understanding of the social factors that impact health outcomes. Learners may encounter a newcomer with a cancer diagnosis who doesn't understand how to navigate the health system, someone with diabetes who can't exercise three times a week because they are caring for a frail family member, an individual struggling with their mental health that comes from a society where that's not understood," said Dr. Shah. “These are real-life issues facing patients every day."
At Osler, learners will develop high-quality medical skills and expertise under the guidance of leading physicians, while also gaining an understanding of how social inequities impact health, access to care, and care planning. Students will learn how to navigate these as future health care providers and gain valuable experience working in primary care offices throughout the region, enhancing their ability to provide community-centred care.
“Osler's diverse population, high patient volumes, strong team structures, and interprofessional approach form the ideal learning environment," said Dr. Shah. “As physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, Osler's teams will experience the pride of watching students grow into our region's future health care workforce. They will be trained to become physicians who care as deeply about their medical skills as they do about prioritizing culturally respectful, inclusive and innovative care."
Osler physicians and specialists have been training family medicine residents from McMaster University and the University of Toronto for over a decade, helping them realize their potential to deliver comprehensive, integrated care, contribute to research and assume leadership roles that shape policy and practice. Osler's affiliation with TMU's School of Medicine builds on this experience, expanding the hospital's scope of training and health workforce impacts.
As Osler transforms into an academic health centre, the launch of the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation (ORIHI) will strengthen a culture of discovery, learning and innovation, inspired by the diverse communities Osler serves. ORIHI aims to make a meaningful local and global impact, focusing on three core areas of research – personalized health, population health, and health systems.
“By advancing both research and educational opportunities, we are creating a health care environment that benefits our workforce, our communities, and most importantly, our patients," added Dr. Shah.