From Left to right, Dr. Katherine Bailey, and Megan Park
By: Eman Katem
Trillium Health Partners is reshaping the way quality improvement is taught and practiced through a first-of-its-kind program in Canada. The Quality Improvement Experiential Student Training (QuEST) program is a collaboration between the hospital and the Mississauga Academy of Medicine (MAM) at the University of Toronto Mississauga. The QuEST Program immerses medical students in real-world quality improvement projects, blending academic rigor with hands-on learning to combine experiential and traditional learning, mentorship, and a commitment to scholarship.
A Vision Born from a Need
In 2020, medical students at the University of Toronto had the vision for a quality improvement program that went beyond the classroom. “Students wanted an experiential learning opportunity," said Dr. Nazia Sharfuddin, Trillium Health Partners' Physician Lead of Quality Improvement and the University of Toronto MD Program Theme Lead of Quality, Safety, and Value. Speaking about the program Dr. Alison Freeland, Associate Dean of Medical Education at the University of Toronto and VP of Quality, Education, and Patient Relations at Trillium Health Partners, said, “It was up to us to help support it and collaborate with the students to bring it to life, fostering an environment where innovation and learning could thrive in tandem with real-world impact"
Inspired by the link between quality improvement and creating joy in work, the QuEST team developed the program by combining learning with practical application. “The students don't just learn quality improvement principles—they live them. They lead projects, tackle challenges, and see the real-world impact of their work," said Dr. Sharfuddin
Empowering Students, Improving Care
QuEST has trained 78 medical learners since it began with emphasis on student leadership and mentorship. Recognized by Accreditation Canada in 2023 as a leading practice, the program has supported over 30 quality improvement projects across 13 medical disciplines.
Dr. Katherine Bailey, a former student chair and current psychiatry resident, described QuEST as transformative. “From day one, we were treated as leaders. The program was designed around our voices, and that made all the difference," she said. She also praised the program's supportive community, highlighting the mentorship provided by Dr. Sharfuddin and others as crucial to her engagement.
A Quality-Informed Approach to Managing Opioid Addiction
Dr. Sarah McClennan, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Trillium Health Partners, saw an opportunity to help address the opioid crisis in the Region of Peel and the West Greater Toronto Area. She worked with medical students Megan Park and Ovini Thomas who identified the critical gap in care: the lack of a cohesive, multi-disciplinary approach to managing opioid addiction hindered treatment outcomes.
Park and Thomas led an initiative focused on enhancing the management of opioid use disorder at Trillium Health Partners. A cornerstone of their project was integrating Suboxone, a medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence, into an accessible and coordinated care model. Under Dr. McClennan's supervision and working with addiction specialists, nurses, and social workers, they developed an integrated approach to support patients through recovery.
Their initiative transformed opioid addiction care at Trillium Health Partners, improving communication between departments and creating clearer recovery pathways for patients. Outcomes in the emergency department include increased patient satisfaction and use of Suboxone in treatment protocols.
Creating a New Kind of Health Care
QuEST is helping to create a healthier community for Mississauga residents. Student-led projects like Park and Thomas' opioid addiction initiative have helped improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency while inspiring future leaders to practice medicine through a quality lens by asking how we can make health care better every day.
Dr. Amir Ginzburg, Trillium Health Partners' Executive Vice President of Quality, Risk and Practice highlighted QuEST's academic success. “In QuEST's first year, 100% of the participating students achieved academic recognition of their work, which for a program of this nature is unheard of, and we've managed to sustain very high academic output over time." With over 10 awards to date, academic recognitions and achievements encompass abstracts, poster presentations, published manuscripts in leading journals, and academic presentations—all contributing to enriched student experiences and strengthened faculty engagement.
QuEST is more than an educational initiative; it is a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and mentorship. “The program represents courage on every level," said Dr. Sharfuddin. “From the students taking on new challenges to the leaders at THP who believed in a bold vision, it's all about pushing the boundaries of what health care can be."