For immediate release - ORANGEVILLE, ON May 1, 2024 – Headwaters Health Care Centre (Headwaters) and the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine proudly announces the formalization of their partnership through an affiliation agreement. This affiliation marks a significant milestone in advancing medical education and training in the region, fostering innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.
With a mission to cultivate a new generation of culturally respectful, inclusive, and innovative physicians, the TMU School of Medicine brings a community-driven approach to medical education. Through this affiliation, Headwaters commits to supporting the development of compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals who are deeply invested in serving their communities.
Headwaters has a rich history of supporting physician and clinician training, with longstanding affiliations with organizations such as the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP), Humber College, Georgian College, George Brown College. The partnership with TMU’s School of Medicine opens up new avenues for physician recruitment, leading-edge research, and enhanced collaboration within the Dufferin and Caledon communities.
Pending successful accreditation, the TMU School of Medicine plans to welcome its inaugural class of 94 undergraduate medical students in September 2025. Postgraduate learning in 17 residency programs is slated to begin on July 1, 2025, Both undergraduate and postgraduate learners will have the opportunity to rotate through Headwaters as well as community family practice clinics, gaining valuable hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings.
As part of this collaboration, TMU is actively recruiting Headwaters physicians to apply to join its clinical faculty team. Clinical faculty members will shape the next generation of physicians in a variety of ways, from supervising medical learners, to providing academic support, to contributing to the development of case-based learning materials.
Quotations
“As a community hospital, our purpose is to serve our patients with the highest standard of care, close to home. I am thrilled about this affiliation agreement with TMU. It is a testament to our dedication to that purpose, ensuring that our patients receive the best care while empowering aspiring doctors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve."
Kim Delahunt, President & CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre
"We are looking forward to working with the TMU School of Medicine to expand opportunities for medical education and training. This partnership not only benefits the next generation of doctors but also strengthens our commitment to providing high-quality healthcare to our community."
Dr. Grace Wang, Vice President, Medical Affairs and Chief of Staff, Headwaters Health Care Centre.
"The TMU School of Medicine will give medical learners the knowledge and tools they need to learn, adapt and lead as the next generation of physicians. As interim assistant dean, learner affairs, I am excited to build the structures and programming that will ensure that medical learners are supported physically, mentally and emotionally on their journeys."
Dr. Stephanie Milone, Co-Chief, Emergency Department at Headwaters and Interim Assistant Dean, Learner Affairs, TMU School of Medicine
“The MD program at TMU promotes and celebrates primary care. Educating learners at Headwaters allows us to show future doctors that family physicians and specialists with a broad knowledge base make the healthcare system work. We hope medical learners will develop a relationship early in training with Orangeville and Dufferin County's communities that hopefully will increase the number of doctors living and working here.”
Dr. Herbert Brill, Locum Pediatrician at Headwaters, Pediatrician at William Osler Health System and Clerkship Director, TMU School of Medicine
“The TMU School of Medicine and Headwaters Health Care Centre share a commitment to innovative, inclusive care that meets community needs. We are excited to work with Headwaters Health Care Centre to transform medical education so that we can improve the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.”
Dr. Teresa Chan, Dean, School of Medicine and Vice-President, Medical Affairs, TMU School of Medicine
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About Toronto Metropolitan University:
Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly known as Ryerson University, is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the University is home to more than 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 225,000 alumni worldwide.
www.torontomu.ca
About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre is an innovative hospital located in Orangeville, Ontario dedicated to quality patient-centred care together with our community in Dufferin County-Caledon. In addition to providing acute and complex continuing care with a 24/7 Emergency Department, and extensive Ambulatory Care outpatient services, Headwaters is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, certified as a Breast Assessment Centre by the Ontario Breast Screening Program, and will be offering MRI services in 2024.Headwaters is a cornerstone of health and wellness for the communities it serves. It is one of the area's largest employers with over 800 staff, 200 physicians and six midwives and benefits from the dedication of over 200 volunteers. Learn more at
headwatershealth.ca and support the hospital at
hhccfoundation.com
Headwaters is also a proud partner in
the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team.
Media Contacts:
Jessica Leach, Manager, Media Relations, TMU School of Medicine
jleach@torontomu.ca
Jennifer Hamilton, MA, MBA, Director, Communication & Stakeholder Relations
519-278-5085
jhamilton@headwatershealth.ca