Physicians Making an Impact: Meet Dr. Jobin Varughese

One of the most profound moments in Dr. Jobin Varughese’s career was when a long-time patient came into his clinic for a routine checkup. His patient sat across from him, sharing updates and chatting as usual. But Dr. Varughese felt something was off. A subtle shift in the patient’s voice made him pause. 

Dr. Varughese followed up with further tests. His instinct was correct. The result—early detection of a cancerous polyp that changed the patient’s life and reaffirmed his own belief in the power of primary care. 

That same commitment to community health is what drew him to TMU’s School of Medicine, where he now serves as Assistant Dean, Primary Care Education. The university's mission—to address health inequalities and respond to local needs—mirrors his own values. And for Dr. Varughese, there is a particular pride in supporting a medical school located in the city that shaped him. “I’ve been raised in Brampton most of my life,” he said. 

Choosing family medicine and building connections

His early medical education took him from the Caribbean island of Nevis to Chicago and later to Michigan. While working in these hospitals, Dr. Varughese said he often helped patients facing barriers to care, which opened his eyes to the realities of health inequalities. Although he was drawn to many specialties during his rotations, he felt family medicine offered something unique. The field allowed him to care for patients across all stages of life and build long-term relationships rooted in trust and understanding. 

“I realized I could do it all and create the biggest impact in family medicine,” he said.

In 2010, he returned home to Brampton and joined Queen Square Doctors and Family Health Team, a practice with a strong community presence. During this time, he worked closely with family physicians and colleagues, including Dr. Frank Martino, now President and CEO of William Osler Health System, TMU's primary clinical partner. To this day, the two often communicate about the privilege and responsibility of working in family medicine within a growing community like Brampton.

Enhancing the skills of the next generation of family doctors

Dr. Varughese has been a foundational leader in shaping TMU’s Family Medicine and Enhanced Skills Residency Program. Under his leadership, TMU’s School of Medicine built its two-year Family Medicine Residency Program and six Enhanced Skills programs on the compelling premise that family physicians, when given focused training, can become the backbone of high-demand specialties.

The accredited programs, spanning Emergency Medicine, Addiction Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Palliative Care and Sport and Exercise Medicine pair intensive clinical experience with hands-on scholarly projects. The result is a cohort of graduates equipped with both advanced clinical judgment and the leadership skills needed to guide teams and care for patients whose needs often exceed the routine.

“Through these programs, our residents will emerge with the confidence and advanced clinical judgement needed to support patient-centred care in comprehensive, community-based care,” said Dr. Varughese. “They will be equipped with the skills and knowledge that go beyond the everyday.”

Investing in the next generation of care

Dr. Varughese said strong primary care begins with physicians who are deeply connected to the people they serve. That commitment, he believes, will help build a future where every person feels seen, supported and cared for close to home. It’s a perspective that informs not only how he teaches, but how he imagines the next generation of physicians stepping into the work.

“There is a renaissance for family medicine upcoming. It is the best time to get in,” he said.