Learner Services
The Learner Affairs Unit (LAU) provides confidential, non-academic support to help medical learners thrive throughout their training. We work alongside learners to navigate challenges, connect with resources, and promote wellbeing, personal growth, and professional development from orientation through graduation. LAU offers learner success navigation; mental health, wellbeing, and healthcare-provider navigation; career planning and access to AAMC Careers in Medicine® resources; financial literacy programming and connections to an independent physician financial-literacy specialist; academic accommodation navigation; near-peer and faculty mentorship opportunities; learner assistance and learner mistreatment support; GoodLife Fitness Corporate Membership access; and referrals to university and community resources.
For academic coaching, individualized learning plans, clinical skills support, assessment concerns, and course progression, learners should connect with the Learner Progress Unit (LPU).
Need help finding the right support?
The Learner Affairs Unit can help you navigate School of Medicine processes and connect with appropriate wellbeing, mental health, career, financial, accommodation, mentorship, university, and community resources.
Learner Affairs Unit
The Learner Affairs Unit (LAU) provides confidential, non-academic support, guidance, resource navigation, and referrals throughout undergraduate and postgraduate medical training. Learners can connect with the team for assistance with wellbeing and mental health, accessing a primary care provider, career planning, financial wellness resources, academic accommodation navigation, mentorship, learner assistance, learner mistreatment concerns, and connecting with university and community supports.
The Learner Affairs Unit is located in SOM-014, behind the Integrated Health Clinic. Medical students and residents are welcome to meet with the team virtually or in person by appointment
Learner Success Navigators
Learner Success Navigators (LSNs) are the primary point of contact within the Learner Affairs Unit for confidential, non-academic support. They help medical students and residents navigate challenges, access resources, and connect with services that support wellbeing and professional development.
LSNs can assist with School of Medicine processes, career planning, financial wellness resources, academic accommodation navigation, mentorship opportunities, and university and community supports. They also help learners access mental health and primary care resources.
Learner Success Navigators do not provide counselling, medical care, legal advice, or academic assessment. They provide guidance, resource navigation, and referrals to appropriate services.
Alexcia Reid - Book an appointment: https://calendar.app.google/x4bZP35mH2idHsNJ6 (external link)
Email Alexcia: alexcia.reid@torontomu.ca
Alvin Singh - Book an appointment: https://calendar.app.google/4GPKabtSy3yDvwpcA (external link)
Email Alvin: alvin.singh@torontomu.ca
Learning Environment Advisor
The Learning Environment Advisor provides a confidential, supportive space for learners who have experienced, witnessed, or have questions about the learning environment, including learner mistreatment, professionalism concerns, or professional boundaries. Speaking with the Learning Environment Advisor does not require a learner to make a formal report.
Julianne Uzun - Book an appointment: https://calendar.app.google/gfAmNNg8wxZXiQkc9 (external link)
Email Julianne: julianne.uzun@torontomu.ca
Contact the Learner Affairs Unit: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
The Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CDSC) at TMU provides free, confidential mental health support to learners navigating academic, personal, and life challenges. Services are short-term and delivered by licensed professionals in an inclusive, culturally responsive environment that supports resilience and well-being.
Learners who are unsure where to begin can contact the Learner Affairs Unit for mental health resource navigation. LAU can help learners connect directly with CSDC and identify other appropriate university or community mental health supports. LAU does not provide counselling or clinical services.
Contact Learner Affairs for resource navigation: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
Starting medical school is an exciting transition, and having a trusted peer who has recently been in your shoes can make a meaningful difference. The optional Near-Peer Mentorship Program pairs incoming learners with upper-year medical students or resident mentors who can provide informal guidance, encouragement, and a sense of community throughout the year.
The program supports connection and wellbeing and is separate from mandatory academic coaching and assessment. Mentor pairs can connect virtually or in person as schedules allow.
Become a Mentor: https://forms.gle/D2xqNaCoyRpyYLvs8 (external link)
Request a Mentor: https://forms.gle/MRPnXnxoziaRXCau9 (external link)
Learners can access referrals to healthcare providers accepting new patients in the Peel region, including primary care and counseling services. For help connecting with a provider or understanding your options, contact the Learner Affairs Unit at somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca.
Moving to the region for medical school or residency may mean leaving behind your existing primary care provider or needing to establish care closer to where you live and train. Medical students and residents who are looking for a family doctor can contact the Learner Affairs Unit (LAU) for support. LAU can provide information about family physicians in the Peel region who have indicated they may be accepting new patients and help learners navigate available options for accessing primary care.
Please note that physician availability changes frequently and placement with a family physician cannot be guaranteed. Learner Affairs provides information, navigation, and connection support only and does not provide medical care.
Contact Learner Affairs for family doctor navigation: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
Medical learners can access the GoodLife Fitness Corporate Membership Program, which provides a 25% discount on regular membership rates. Eligible learners may also extend the corporate rate to up to two family members, subject to the GoodLife corporate program terms.
To request a unique corporate verification ID required for program registration, email the Learner Affairs Unit.
Request a GoodLife verification ID: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
Academic support
As a learner in the MD program, you'll be paired with an academic coach who offers personalized support to help you achieve your learning goals. Your coach will assist in creating tailored study plans, enhancing time management skills, and refining strategies to navigate the medical curriculum. Coaching is also available for remediation support, with additional learning specialist services to ensure your academic success and progress throughout the program.
Academic Coaching
Academic coaching offers mandatory, ongoing support through regular meetings each year. Using assessment data housed within the student portfolios, coaches help learners to identify actionable goals to foster their success. Coaching is confidential, student-centered, and designed with equity and inclusion in mind. This support helps you build skills, stay accountable, and navigate challenges confidently.
Learning Support
The Learner Progress Unit offers personalized support to help you navigate academic or clinical challenges. You’ll have access to a wide variety of tools to help you thrive, including resources focused on study strategies, time management, and test-taking skills. Support is tailored to your needs, with the goal of building your confidence and helping you succeed throughout your medical training.
To request accommodations, register with TMU’s Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) and submit your documentation. You can start once your TMU email is active (the form isn't accessible without it). The Learner Affairs Unit works with AAS to review, adapt, and implement your plan across clinical and campus sites, ensuring timely support throughout your program.
Register with AAS using your TMU email, submit your documentation, and book an intake meeting to start the accommodation process.
Career & Financial Planning
The Learner Affairs Unit helps learners navigate career planning and financial resources throughout medical school and residency. Learner Success Navigators provide confidential career guidance and connect learners with appropriate financial-literacy, funding, and specialist resources and connections that empower you to make informed choices and plan confidently for your future.
Career Planning & Navigation
Career planning is an ongoing process throughout medical school. Learner Affairs offers confidential support to help learners explore career options, clarify their interests, connect with mentors, and navigate key career decisions.
Learners can meet with a Learner Success Navigator to discuss career exploration, specialty selection, mentorship opportunities, elective planning, and residency preparation. We also connect learners with career development programs, specialty panels, physician mentors, and other career resources.
The Learner Affairs Unit provides access to the AAMC Careers in Medicine® (CiM) platform, which includes self-assessment tools, specialty profiles, career exploration activities, and residency-planning resources to support informed career decision-making.
Alexcia Reid - Book an appointment: https://calendar.app.google/x4bZP35mH2idHsNJ6 (external link)
Alvin Singh - Book an appointment: https://calendar.app.google/4GPKabtSy3yDvwpcA (external link)
Request AAMC Careers in Medicine access: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
Career & Financial Advising
The Learner Affairs Unit (LAU) supports learners in navigating career planning and financial wellness throughout medical school. We connect learners with resources and opportunities to support career exploration, mentorship, residency planning, and informed financial decision-making. Learners seeking individualized financial guidance can be connected with an independent physician financial-literacy specialist for a confidential one-on-one consultation. Topics may include budgeting, debt management, financial planning, and other aspects of personal finance relevant to medical training and future practice.
LAU facilitates access to these resources but does not provide personalized financial advice.
Contact Learner Affairs for financial-resource navigation: somlearneraffairs@torontomu.ca
TMU Student Financial Assistance: https://www.torontomu.ca/student-financial-assistance/
Awards & bursaries
Find information on available scholarships, awards, and bursaries to support your medical education. We help you navigate application processes, deadlines, and eligibility criteria so you can maximize financial opportunities during your medical training.
Browse available scholarships on AwardSpring (external link)
Career mentorship
Connect with experienced physicians and senior students and residents for mentorship. Gain insights, encouragement, and practical advice to support your career decisions, build confidence, and expand your professional network throughout medical school and residency.