The City of Brampton has approved a $1 million planning grant to help fund a future Ryerson School of Medicine. The funding decision followed last Thursday’s presentation by University President Mohamed Lachemi and will support an official proposal for the facility to the Ontario Government.
Ryerson’s proposal, which has also received $1 million from the province, will detail an approach to health education with a focus on primary care, expanded use of technology to better meet patient needs, inter-professional practice and the provision of culturally sensitive care.
“We are proud to have Brampton as our partner in expanding healthcare education in Ontario and we are grateful for this show of support,” Lachemi said. “The new medical school will not only dramatically enhance the healthcare system in Brampton, it will also build a foundation for a diverse pool of talent to thrive in healthcare and healthcare-related sectors across our province.”
Funding will also enable the university to identify potential locations which could include Brampton’s new Innovation District, as the future site for the medical school. The university says it is on track to deliver a proposal to the province within 18 to 24 months.
The school will be designed around five pillars:
- Focusing on community centric primary care and the social determinants of health
- Providing culturally respectful care to communities
- Leveraging innovation and technology in practices to improve quality of care and patient outcomes
- Providing future physicians with the skills to develop inter-professional networks of health care to achieve better outcomes for patients
- Focusing on the aging and supporting seniors as a growing portion of our society gets older
“This opportunity to invest in the Ryerson School of Medicine has come at a significant time, as COVID-19 has intensified our need for equitable health care services,” said Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown.
“Historically, Brampton has not received its fair share of funding in health care services resulting in hospital overcrowding and hallway medicine. An investment in the Ryerson School of Medicine gives the City of Brampton an opportunity to change that.”