TMU welcomes its second cohort of MD students
A new class of aspiring physicians took their first steps toward a career in medicine Monday, as Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine welcomed its second cohort of MD students to its Brampton campus.
The 94 students received a standing ovation as they entered the Lester B. Pearson Theatre, where family and friends joined School of Medicine leaders to mark the beginning of their medical education.
The welcome event kicks off nearly two weeks of orientation, including a learner BBQ, open house and the 2026 Stethoscope Ceremony, an annual tradition at many medical and health professional schools where a physician’s white coat or stethoscope is presented to a new learner in a special ceremony, marking the beginning of their formal training.
“Starting at TMU feels like coming home,” said incoming MD student Isabelle Chan. “Genuinely, I’m so happy to be here and get to serve in the community that raised me. It’s really exciting to be one of the pioneers helping to shape a new medical school in Peel.”
A growing medical community
TMU officially launched its School of Medicine in 2025, welcoming its inaugural class of 94 MD students last September and 105 residents last July. Another 109 residents began their training this summer. It is the first new medical school to open in the Greater Toronto Area in more than a century.
It was founded to chart a new course in medical education—one rooted in equity, access and social accountability. Its mission is to recruit and train physicians who will provide compassionate, culturally respectful care to underserved communities across the GTA.
At the Welcome Event ceremony, messages of congratulations from Dean Teresa Chan, TMU President Mohamed Lachemi and Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano underscored the significance of welcoming a second cohort—and the momentum building across the school’s undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
“To our newest learners, we are so excited to have you join us,” said Dean Teresa Chan. “An entire team came together to build this School of Medicine, and now an even bigger team is here to support you and your success. You are preparing to become the health-care leaders who will help shape the future of care in Peel Region and across Ontario. We are incredibly proud to welcome you and excited to see what you will accomplish.”
A new model takes shape
Class of 2030 learners are cheered on as they file into the auditorium on Aug.31, kicking off two weeks of orientation activities.
The school’s first class was selected from more than 6,400 applicants. This year, 6,015 people applied to join the Class of 2030—the highest number of applications among Ontario medical schools.
Among those applicants was Andrew Faller-Saunders, who chose to apply only to TMU after learning about the school’s mission and meeting Dean Teresa Chan.
“With TMU’s medical school being so new, there’s no other school quite like it,” said Faller-Saunders. “TMU is creating space to allow us to think about how doctors play a role in creating system-level change and making an impact in our communities, especially for those who are underserved. It’s really exciting to be a part of that.”
For Faller-Saunders and his classmates, the next four years will be an opportunity to help shape not only their own careers, but the future of health care in the communities they will one day serve.