Bikram Dhillon and family make landmark gift to TMU School of Medicine
The Dhillon family's transformational gift will be recognized with the naming of TMU School of Medicine's Medical Library and create two new scholarship programs for students committed to community health care, reflecting a decades-long commitment to giving back to Brampton and the broader Peel Region.
Last week, the TMU School of Medicine welcomed its first cohort of future physicians and, this week, it celebrated a landmark gift in support of the school’s new Medical Library and two new student awards.
With Ontario premier, Doug Ford, mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown and other dignitaries in attendance, the president of TMU, Mohamed Lachemi, announced that Bikram Dhillon, founder and CEO of BVD Group, and his family have made a transformational donation to the TMU School of Medicine.
“We are immensely grateful to the Dhillon family for their investment in our vision of health care, which focuses on transformation through community-engaged education, scholarship and service,” said Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor, TMU.
“The Dhillon family’s gift will increase access to medical education for truly outstanding students and help create an inspirational and supportive learning environment rich in resources," he continued.
TMU President Mohamed Lachemi, BVD Group founder Bikram Dhillon and Mrs. Varinder Dhillon celebrate the landmark donation being recognized through the naming of the Medical Library at TMU’s School of Medicine, and creating scholarship opportunities for students committed to community health care in Peel Region.
Bikram Dhillon came to Canada over 40 years ago, working tirelessly across various labour-intensive roles, including as a steel foreman.
In the early 1990s, he became a real estate agent specializing in commercial properties. His understanding of land, development and business strategy laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable entrepreneurial journey.
In 1999, Bikram opened his first travel stop in Brantford, Ont. That moment marked the beginning of what would evolve into BVD Group, a proudly Canadian-owned, family-operated business based in Brampton.
Over the next decade, he expanded the enterprise into multiple sectors, and in November 2010, BVD Petroleum was officially launched.
Today, BVD Group is the largest privately held distributor of diesel over the road in Canada and also the largest Canadian privately held distributor of diesel in the United States over the road.
The Group has grown to encompass strategic operations in petroleum, real estate, insurance and financial services, establishing itself as a significant force in both domestic and cross-border markets.
Dedicated philanthropist
Bikram’s son, Chanvir Dhillon, serves as the company’s chief operating officer, helping drive operational growth while upholding the values that built the business from the ground up.
“My father has always deeply appreciated the opportunities this country and this community have provided our family,” says Chanvir. “That gratitude is what fuels his commitment to giving back. He is a proud Brampton resident and a passionate advocate for investing in the community that helped us grow.”
As a dedicated philanthropist, Bikram Dhillon has long believed that business success is most meaningful when it uplifts others.
In 2022, the Dhillon family made a transformational $10 million donation to William Osler Health System Foundation, supporting major redevelopment and equipment needs at Brampton Civic, Peel Memorial, and Etobicoke General Hospitals.
The Bikram S. Dhillon & Family South Tower at Brampton Civic now stands as a lasting symbol of that generosity. Bikram Dhillon is also helping to establish a dedicated space for Global Sikh art and culture at the Royal Ontario Museum. The gallery is tentatively slated to open in late 2028.
Award winner
Bikram’s impact on the community has earned him several honours, including being named Brampton’s Citizen of the Year and receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his outstanding contributions to public life.
The Dhillon family’s gift to the new TMU School of Medicine will establish a leading-edge Medical Library, designed to support the learning and innovation needs of future physicians across Peel Region.
“Our family believes in the strength of this community,” says Bikram Dhillon. “The TMU School of Medicine is a milestone for Brampton. We’re proud to support this institution and hope others will join us in contributing to its success.”
To help make medical education more accessible, the family has also created two student-focused awards:
- The Bikram S. Dhillon and Family Scholarship, offering up to $50,000 each to five students who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving health outcomes in their communities
- The Bikram S. Dhillon and Family Award, providing $5,000 annually to five academically exceptional incoming students.
“TMU’s new medical school is a big win for Brampton and a big win for Ontario,” says Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Dhillon family, even more students will reach their dream of becoming a doctor, so we can connect more people to the care they need, closer to home."
“We want the best students to have their best chance,” says Bikram. “Not everyone has the means to pursue medicine. This support is about helping bright minds achieve their goals and serve our communities. The TMU School of Medicine will play a vital role in addressing the urgent need for more physicians, right here at home.”