Altitude Healthcare Mentoring, MAM and STG, is a medical student-run initiative across Ontario aimed at empowering undergraduate students to pursue studies and careers in healthcare fields by partnering them with medical student mentors. The students selected to participate in this program are traditionally underrepresented in Canada’s healthcare workforce. The program includes one-on-one mentoring supported by monthly career development initiatives for the mentees. The events included an IHPSA panel, a “How to Survive Undergrad at U of T” presentation, a CV building workshop and mindfulness and time management sessions.

ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN, Building the Fire, Walking with Medicine is a one-week program for Indigenous students in grades 9 and 10 with an interest in exploring healthcare opportunities. This program is run collaboratively with the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Access and Outreach (OAO) and the Office of Indigenous Health, ZKA’AN NI-BMIWDOOWIN GCHI-KINOOMAADWINAN, and will provide 10 youth with culturally safe and trauma-informed programming with opportunities to build long-lasting relationships from within the program. With greater exposure to Indigenous leadership, knowledges, governance systems and healing practices, participants are encouraged to reflect on the environment around them and are empowered to carve their own meaningful paths forward, walking with confidence, a greater sense of connection, purpose, and community.

The Black Student Application Program (BSAP) is an optional application stream for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who self-identify as Black African, Black Caribbean, Black North American, multi-racial students who have and identify with their Black ancestry.

The aim of this application program is to increase and support Black medical student representation at the University of Toronto. Through BSAP, we hope to break down some of the barriers that might impede Black students from applying and nurture an inclusive environment that is welcoming to all.

The goal of the Indigenous Student Application Program (ISAP) is to increase the number of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) medical students at the University of Toronto (U of T). Students who are interested in the optional application stream will have the opportunity to discuss their experiences with the Indigenous community in the application materials.

University of Toronto’s MD Program is committed to excellence through equity. 

The Community of Support (COS) program is a collaborative initiative supported by several faculties of medicine across Canada, which supports prospective students facing systemic barriers on their journeys to medical education, basic sciences, and rehabilitation sciences programs. This includes individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, Filipino, Latin American, and students that face financial barriers, and/or self-identify as having a disability, and/or are non-traditional applicants (e.g., mature students). 

From its home in the University of Toronto’s Medical Sciences Building, in the heart of Toronto’s “Medical Discovery District”, Med YSP offers students the opportunity to learn about science/medicine and conduct life science labs. Students from across Canada and the World attend to explore various diseases, the next generation of treatments, and learn what it takes to become a health professional. For students in Grades 10 to 12. Grade 9 students are eligible for Module 4.

Mission:

• To advocate on behalf of Black and Indigenous Faculty, Fellows, Residents and Medical Students in the Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Canadian society at large.
• To provide a safe space for networking and mentorship across all levels of the DoM/TFoM Black and Indigenous community.
• To be a resource for the University of Toronto and affiliated hospitals in the ongoing and dynamic process of Diversity and Inclusion, including but not limited to:
  • reaching the goals outlined in the Anti-Black Racism Mandate
  • providing a mechanism to support the call to action on health care workers from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, ie, increasing the number of health care workers who are Indigenous, increasing skills based training in cultural safety and recognizing unique health care needs of Indigenous peoples
  • increasing Black and Indigenous representation at all levels (student, resident, fellow, faculty, leadership) of the DoM and TFoM
• To align with like-minded groups across the University and set an example for other institutions.

Through a series of workshops, interactive sessions, and mentorship opportunities, The Next Surgeon program gives high school students in grades 10-12 from the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) a glimpse of what it’s like to work in the medical field. Resources and guidance are provided to help students navigate the educational requirements to support their journey toward becoming a healthcare professional. 

The Next Surgeon is delivered in partnership with Unity Health Toronto, Office of Access and Outreach – Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and UpSurge.

DICE is a mentorship group, lead by cardiology-residents, with a mission to introduce undergraduate and medical students from traditionally underrepresented groups, particularly among learners who identify as Black or Indigenous, to the field of cardiology.
 

DICE presents sessions and events in partnership with other programs within the University of Toronto, including the Summer Mentorship Program (SMP); Community of Support (COS); Diversity Mentorship Program (DMP); Black Medical Students’ Association (BMSA); and the Office of Indigenous Medical Education.

UpSurge is a mentorship program aimed at stimulating interest, providing support, and guiding underrepresented students in pursuing surgical careers. This entails long-term, goal-oriented strategies for providing exposure to the different surgical specialties, ensuring resource availability, and facilitating networking opportunities.

The program is available to trainees and medical students from underrepresented ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. UpSurge is supported by Dr. Sav Brar (Program Director, Division of General Surgery) and a group of dedicated residents.