This week, TMU announced a transformative $7.5 million gift from 407 ETR in support of the TMU School of Medicine.
The announcement, made at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at TMU's flagship Integrated Health Centre in Brampton, highlights the power of community, collaboration and creating shared value.
"This represents a historic donation and a proud moment for 407 ETR," says Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR. "We've always connected people to the places that matter most and through this investment, we're proud to continue connecting communities to the care they need."
In recognition of this investment, the clinic will be named the TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR.
Located inside TMU's Brampton medical school building, the TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR will serve as a primary academic teaching site while expanding access to team-based primary care in one of Ontario's fastest-growing regions.
Blair Wolk, President and COO, Orlando Corporation; Mohamed Lachemi, TMU President and Vice-Chancellor; Donette Chin-Loy Chang, TMU Chancellor; David McFadden, K.C., Corporate Director, Chair of the Board, 407 ETR; Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, TMU Provost and Vice-President, Academic and IHC Board Chair; Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR; Dr. Imran Khamis, Executive Director, FDC Foundation; Christina Basil, Vice President, Communications & Government Relations, 407 ETR. (Photo: Alyssa K. Faoro)
"The TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR will be the cornerstone of experiential medical education in primary care, chronic disease management and community-based services," said Mohamed Lachemi, TMU president and vice-chancellor.
"By embedding learners directly within the community, we are addressing a recognized physician shortage while simultaneously expanding patient capacity. We are grateful to 407 ETR for joining us as a partner in strengthening Ontario's health-care system for decades to come," he continued.
TMU's bold commitment to expanding regional access to family doctors and health-care teams has become a reality with the opening of this on-site clinic as well as a satellite Integrated Health Centre (IHC) in downtown Brampton.
"These clinics are where education, care and collaboration come together," said Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, TMU provost and vice-president, academic, and board chair for TMU's Integrated Health Centres.
"Our learners will train alongside physicians, nurses, social workers and other health professionals in a team-based environment that reflects how care is delivered in communities today. The Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR represents the first step in building a network of integrated clinics that will expand access to care while preparing the next generation of physicians," she said.
Worth celebrating: In addition to expanding access to healthcare professionals, TMU IHC's will also provide patient-centred training for the next generation of doctors from the TMU School of Medicine. (Photo: Alyssa K. Faoro)
The 407 ETR gift will also unlock an additional $7.5 million through a previously announced $25 million matching commitment from Orlando Corporation.
This matching effectively doubles the impact of the donation, directing a total of $15 million toward the transformation of the former Bramalea Civic Centre into a state-of-the-art medical school facility.
A new chapter in community care
The TMU Integrated Health Centre Supported by 407 ETR features 12 examination rooms and can accommodate up to 70 patients and medical learners at a time.
The clinics are expected to reduce wait times and ease pressure on emergency departments while offering extended and after-hours care to better serve working families and patients who face barriers to accessing health services.
The IHC model brings interprofessional, team-based care, education and clinical training together under one roof.
Representing the first step toward an integrated health network, the new clinics could eventually support more than 100,000 patient visits each year and provide primary care to more than 14,000 people who currently do not have a family doctor.
A defining feature of the TMU School of Medicine is its dual-impact approach: Training the next generation of physicians while expanding clinical capacity in underserved communities.
This improves access to care while preparing future doctors to practise in collaborative, team-based settings, alongside physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, social workers, registered dieticians, midwives, and other health-care professionals.
Together, the IHCs offer a more connected model of care where education, research and team-based practice work together to improve access, health equity and patient outcomes.
This is where health care and education meet - one ecosystem, built for community.
"The TMU School of Medicine represents a critical step forward in expanding access to health care in Brampton," says Patrick Brown, mayor of Brampton.
"TMU's Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR will bring primary care to more Bramptonians and play a formative role in the hands-on training of medical students right here in our city," he said.
