SURREY – More family doctors will be graduating every year with the establishment of the new SFU medical school, the first in Western Canada in 55 years.
The government has taken a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean Dr. Roger Strasser who will provide strategic leadership in the planning and implementation of the medical school. Strasser was the founding dean and CEO of the Northern Ontario school of medicine and is a recognized leader in the development of health professional education.
SFU is working toward its first student intake by September 2026.
The Province is investing as much as $4.9 million in startup funding to support activities such as accreditation, curriculum planning, engagement, space planning and professional staff to support the SFU medical school project office.
“While we have made enormous progress to strengthen public health care over the past five years, we know that many British Columbians are struggling to find a family doctor and waiting too long for care on a waiting list or in an emergency room,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why are taking action to train, recruit and retain family doctors now – and taking these steps with Simon Fraser University to train the health workforce we’ll need in the future. This investment in the first entirely new medical school in western Canada in 55 years will mean more family doctors graduating each year to provide care for people.”
The new medical school curriculum will be built on four pillars:
- Educate graduates who are well prepared to provide the prevention and primary care needs of diverse communities and populations.
- Educate physicians to work in team-based primary care settings that are patient-centred and socially accountable.
- Commit to reciprocal community partnerships in the development and implementation of the medical school.
- Embed and equalize Indigenous knowledge systems.
SFU’s medical school will take a focused approach to primary care, based on the university’s strength in community engagement and strong partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority, the Fraser Health Authority, other provincial health authorities and the practice community. Reciprocity, cultural safety and humility will be embedded throughout the school, along with First Nations, Inuit and Métis knowledge systems and perspectives.
Sherry Sandhu, student, master of public health, SFU, said, “I am looking forward to contributing to the health-care system in B.C. It means a lot knowing that there will be more options close to home where I could stay in my community while pursuing my goals. I want to help and work in public health. I like the community here at Simon Fraser University and it’s very exciting and promising that I may have the opportunity to do this right here in Surrey at SFU.”
