Looking ahead to even greater things

Dear Colleagues,

You have been hearing a great deal as of late about the celebration of the tenth year of the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry - Windsor Campus. Indeed, we have so much to be proud of. Building on our successes and planning for the future requires thoughtful reflection on our journey. For me, this centers on the question: what unique opportunities does the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry – Windsor campus offer to medical students?

The School’s academic mission ensures a comparable curriculum between campuses. This is something we work hard to achieve. However, one cannot argue that Schulich Medicine learners enjoy different experiences depending on where they select to spend their four years. This is due in large part to the culture they are exposed to and immersed in, medically and in the community. The close relationships they form with the faculty and staff teams, as well as the patients they meet, are instrumental in their development. 

This story is about much more than the faculty, staff, and students. I am consistently in awe when I look at the pride and passion the community puts toward local medical education. Schulich Medicine – Windsor Campus represents a trigger that changed the way many people in local neighbourhoods access health care. I look to my patient population for reassurance here. I am often asked about how the resident or student who was involved in their care is doing, sometimes years later.  There is a genuine investment from patients in their education. Learners embrace this, and see Windsor differently because of this. Certainly the numbers support that. During the past 10 years there have been 201 graduates. One-hundred and ten Family Medicine residents have also received their training in the community, of which 70 per cent are practising locally.  

So, when I look at what it is we do, and how we do it, I see an amazing experience that produces quality, well-rounded physicians. Looking forward, I believe, we need to showcase our identity and our ambition. We have a unique opportunity, as a distributed campus, to be innovative. There are ample opportunities to be involved in the development of the new curriculum. Please consider joining a committee focused on course design, mentorship, coaching, or assessment. Find a way to ensure that the next chapter of the Schulich Medicine – Windsor Campus story is written with the style, creativity, and flavour that makes Windsor an amazing place to practise and train. We are all exceedingly proud of the students and graduates from the Windsor Campus and celebrate all they have accomplished, the difference they have made in the community, and the legacy they are helping to create. A legacy that all of you are supporting each day.

As always, thank you for your hard work and dedication.

Larry
Twitter: @larry_jacobs1