At Humber River Health (Humber), clinical education is embedded in how care is delivered. Anchored in a culture that values evidence-based practice, innovation and hands-on experience, Humber’s programs prepare learners at every stage to meet evolving patient and workforce needs. Whether through immersive simulation that bridges theory and practice, structured preceptor and mentorship initiatives, or partnerships with academic institutions that expand core clerkship experiences, clinical education at Humber is designed to foster excellence, collaboration and confidence in tomorrow’s health care professionals.
Advancing Physician Education at Humber River Health
From its early days as York-Finch Hospital welcoming University of Toronto medical students, to today’s thriving academic environment, Humber’s journey reflects a steady commitment to teaching and mentorship. Following the merger of the legacy hospitals in 1997, requests for electives and core rotations steadily increased across specialties. Physicians recognized that educating learners was a critical element for clinical excellence. Over two decades, that mindset laid out the groundwork for what is now a highly regarded training site.
Today, Humber’s reputation as one of Canada’s largest acute care hospitals, and North America’s first fully digital hospital, makes it an exciting environment for learners. Clinical education at the hospital includes exposure to digitally integrated workflows, advanced imaging technology, interventional radiology suite, robotics, Canada’s first hospital Command Centre, as well as the opportunity to work with a diverse, equity-deserving community. Preparing the next generation of physicians means preparing them for a health care system transformed by technology and data. At Humber, learners experience the future in real time.
“As health care rapidly evolves, our responsibility is to prepare learners for what the future of health care looks like,” says Dr. S. Zaki Ahmed, Chief of Staff at Humber River Health. “We are preparing physicians who are adaptable, digitally fluent, and prioritize continuous improvement.”
Supporting undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing medical education aligns directly with Humber’s strategic pillar to Foster Innovation, Research and Academics. The growth of the program has been significant: Medical Trainee Days (MTDs) have increased from about 3,500 in 2015 to over 14,000 in 2025, a 304 per cent increase. This past year alone saw a 15 per cent rise. This trajectory reflects both demand and the strength of Humber’s physician educators.
A cornerstone of Humber’s academic profile is the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit (FMTU), affiliated with the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. The unit provides high-quality primary care while serving as a core training site for family medicine residents, medical students and inter-professional learners. The growth of the program has been steady and strategic. In 2023, the Schulich FMTU welcomed four residents, which then grew to 11 residents in 2024, 17 residents in 2025, and will reach full capacity with 18 residents in 2026.
The Schulich FMTU provides care for unattached patients within Humber’s community, often described as a primary care desert, delivering socially accountable, community-based training while addressing local workforce needs. Residents gain experience in comprehensive primary care, chronic disease management and population health, essential skills in a health care landscape facing primary care shortages.
Expansion of Clinical Teaching Opportunities
Clinical training opportunities at Humber continue to grow. In 2025 - 2026, expanded core clerkship programs with the University of Toronto include Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN and Paediatrics. Specialty training opportunities such as the Clinical Skills (ICE-1) course, Enriching Educational Experiences (EEE) Program, Queen’s University Orthopaedic Surgery rotation, Enhanced Community Urology Fellowship, Enhanced Community Arthroplasty Fellowship, MIS Fellowship, and a recently accredited Advanced Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship further diversify the learning environment. Faculty development programming through the University of Toronto ensures preceptors are supported as educators.
“Expanding clinical education is about building the workforce our communities need,” says Dr. Ahmed. “We are committed to offering rich, diverse learning experiences that inspire tomorrow’s leaders.”
Learners rotate through busy clinical services where education is practical, integrated, and hands-on. That approach is exemplified by Dr. Chloe McAlister, a general surgeon specializing in acute care surgery, and physician preceptor.
“As physicians, teaching is inherently woven into clinical practice,” explains Dr. McAlister. “From the earliest stages of training, physicians are both learners and teachers. Education is a natural extension of patient care — guiding residents and medical students through clinical reasoning and engaging them in skills-based teaching.”
Residents and medical students participate in every level of patient care, from their assessment in the Emergency Room, to the operating room and back to the surgical floor. They play a crucial role in the patient’s experience, and by doing so, they learn a lot. “I can push them a little bit to get to the next level with support,” she says. “My role is to ensure patient safety while advancing their skills and confidence.”
In 2025, Dr. McAlister was the recipient of the Dr. John Hagen Annual Excellence in Medical Teaching Award. This award, launched in 2015, recognizes an exceptional preceptor who has demonstrated outstanding performance in their role and exhibits a commitment to excellence in clinical education to advance practice.
“I think surgical learners are often happily surprised at the relaxed learning environment at Humber. This empowers them to engage in discussion and clinical reasoning. Surgery can sometimes foster a culture where learners feel almost ashamed to ask questions,” she says, “allowing for many valuable learning opportunities to be missed.”
While she maintains high expectations, Dr. McAlister approaches gaps in knowledge as opportunities for collaborative learning rather than criticism. This strengthens learners’ confidence and competence while reinforcing a culture of mutual respect.
She credits the supportive culture within the General Surgery Division at Humber to her mentor, Dr. John Hagen – retired general surgeon and Humber’s previous Chief of Staff – for whom the annual teaching award is named. “He created a non-judgmental environment, which made learning both fun and accessible. He reminded residents of their strengths and helped them to build their skills, while simultaneously boosting their confidence and self-respect.”
When she received the Dr. John Hagen Annual Excellence in Medical Teaching Award, the recognition was deeply personal.
“Teaching feels like such a natural part of our daily activities that we don’t tend to think of it as separate work,” she says. “I was honoured to receive this award, and being associated with the ‘John Hagen teaching legacy’ means the world to me.”
Looking Ahead
Hospitals play a critical role in shaping the health care workforce. At Humber River Health, that responsibility is embraced enthusiastically. As clinical volumes grow and digital transformation and innovation accelerate, education ensures the system evolves with capable, confident providers. The expansion from 4,000 to more than 14,000 Medical Trainee Days is a reflection of a culture where learners are supported, where innovation is a necessity, and where teaching is viewed as both a privilege and a responsibility.
“Investing in clinical education strengthens our hospital and our community,” says Dr. Ahmed. “As we continue to expand our academic mission, we are ensuring that Humber River Health remains a leader in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.”
As Humber’s academic profile continues to grow, increasing numbers of medical students and residents are requesting placements, drawn by advanced technology, diverse clinical exposure and a reputation for supportive mentorship. Through programs like the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit, expanded clerkships and fellowships, and dedicated physician educators, Humber River Health is caring for patients today, while training the medical leaders of tomorrow.