UTM celebrates inaugural class of the Mississauga Academy of Medicine
There were photos, smiles and lots of cheers as U of T Mississauga celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of the Mississauga Academy of Medicine. Families and friends gathered at a special reception to fete the 52 new doctors who convocated at the June 2 ceremony with the Faculty of Medicine. Also celebrating with the new alumni were Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Deputy Premier Deb Matthews, MPP (London North Centre).
“MAM is the result of an innovative partnership between U of T and Trillium Health Partners. We are proud of that partnership and what we have accomplished together,” said Edward Sellers, board chair of Trillium Health Partners. “The academy is vital to our future as we develop the next generation of medical practitioners right here in our community. It’s an important step in our mission to build better health care.”
Academy director Dr. Pamela Coates had words of wisdom for the class, dubbed the “MAMily.” “You have transformed us,” she said, referring to the impact the inaugural class has had on the U of T medical faculty, the Mississauga health care system and UTM. Coates urged the students to use their skills wherever they went to build community, to teach and mentor, and to pave the way for future MAM colleagues. “Wherever you go, you’re bringing the heart and soul of the Mississauga Academy of Medicine,” she said.
Trillium Health Partners president and chief executive officer Michelle DiEmanuele had high praise for the new doctors. “You have helped to create a new generation of learners and teachers and a vibrant, team-based model where patients benefit each day,” DiEmanuele said. “Thank you for being pioneers who took not the traditional path, but the transformative one. We are truly now Canada’s largest community academic teaching hospital. Embedding medical education into our hospital has helped to define Trillium Health Partners.”
DiEmanuele also lauded the efforts of former mayor Hazel McCallion to establish the academy at UTM. “It was her dream,” she said, noting that Trillium Health Partners now serves a community of over 1.6 million people. “Our community is growing. We need workers who are committed to a new kind of health care. I hope each and every one of you will find Mississauga a place to live and work.”
U of T medical faculty dean Dr. Trevor Young had the last word at the reception. “You’ve carried the U of T flag into this community in the most meaningful way possible,” he said. “You’ve set the tone for what it means to be a graduate of MAM. You’ve touched lives, you’ve helped people, you’ve made them better. You’ve helped to turn the Faculty of Medicine from a downtown-focused faculty to a community-focused program with GTA-wide impact.”
“When you step away from the podium, you’ll be stepping into history because there will never be another first graduating class. You’ll move from being our students to being our colleagues as doctors. You’re ready for it, and we’re ready to welcome you into the profession.”
The new graduates will move on to residency positions across the country on Wednesday.