In my time here at York, I have witnessed first-hand the impact that higher education has, not only for individual success, but for enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve. Like many students on our campuses today, I came from a modest background.
Neither of my parents had the chance to attend university, but they believed that education was the key to opportunity, and they instilled in me a desire to study from a young age.
I started university prepared to pursue a career in law, but I happened to take an introductory sociology course. The issues grabbed me and I never looked back. I share this personal experience because it forms the basis of my deeply held belief that, in our knowledge-based society, higher education is more important than ever. Emerging technologies such as AI can aid higher education, but never replace it.
My leadership journey at York has been driven by my desire to positively shape the higher education landscape. I was drawn to the University because of its unwavering commitment to access, equity and social justice. Over the years, I have seen this commitment manifest across the University’s scholarly and community engagement activities, and inform major projects, including the School of Medicine, set to open in 2028.
Universities Canada reports that approximately one in 10 Canadian students will be the first in their families to attend university, and will likely face additional financial and navigational challenges. These are most explicit in competitive fields such as medicine.
A study published in BMC Medical Education revealed that Canadian medical students are more likely to be from high-income, urban households with highly qualified parents, and are rarely from ethnic minorities. Income disparity is a predictor of receiving an offer of admission, as the application process itself is expensive. These differences can exacerbate health-care inequities, as graduates often care for affluent populations, while racialized physicians are more likely to serve underserved populations.
York was founded more than 60 years ago to expand access to university education and to foster greater diversity among graduates. We have worked to open doors and remove barriers so that no talent is overlooked – ensuring that students with the right qualifications can pursue their program of choice. We are also grateful to the Ontario government for its support in creating additional spaces for medical education.
Our medical school is the first in Canada dedicated to family medicine and generalist specializations such as pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics/maternal health, and general surgery. We have established a broad network of partners – ranging from major hospitals to community health-care agencies, including the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council – to ensure students receive comprehensive, diverse training experiences. Applicants are eligible after two years of undergraduate study, and to support broader access, we have created a two-year pathway program for those who may have missed key preparatory content during high school.
Our catchment area spans north Toronto, York Region, Simcoe County, the District of Muskoka and adjacent rural areas. We expect to recruit diverse, highly qualified medical students – including those who are economically disadvantaged – to ensure that our graduates represent the communities they serve.
York will continue to ensure positive and equitable long-term outcomes for all Canadians.
