The Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH), a new state-of-the-art medical school, is set to open its doors in September 2025. This $130-million facility will address the pressing need for healthcare services in the rapidly growing and underserved community of Scarborough, Toronto.
Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and MVRDV, SAMIH will not only be a place for medical expertise but also a vibrant community hub. The building’s design focuses on healing, incorporating natural elements and sustainable features. The five-story atrium, resembling a fissure in a boulder, will serve as the beating heart of the building, providing a meeting place for students, professors, and community members. Moreover, the outdoor setting, designed by Vertechs Design Landscape Architects, will feature native plants and Indigenous planting strategies, creating a healing environment that aligns with the academy’s mission.
One exceptional aspect is SAMIH’s commitment to sustainability. The building will harness natural energy using solar cladding panels from Toronto-based manufacturer Mitrex. These panels, integrated into the building’s design, will generate up to 20 percent of the building’s electricity. Additionally, the building’s structure utilizes a 9.6-meter steel grid, ensuring flexibility and easy updates to the labs while minimizing material waste and embodied carbon.
With a floor area spanning 143,500 square feet, SAMIH will accommodate various facilities, including a clinical psychology clinic, a pharmacy clinic, an anatomy lab, a main-floor amphitheater, and advanced learning labs. The academy aims to train approximately 300 healthcare professionals annually, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical therapists. The goal is to address the physician shortage in the Scarborough area and foster a skilled healthcare workforce that will stay in the community, benefiting both the local economy and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
FAQ:
Q: When will the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) open?
A: The opening of SAMIH is planned for September 2025.
Q: What is SAMIH’s main objective?
A: SAMIH aims to address the need for healthcare services in the underserved community of Scarborough and train healthcare professionals who will contribute to the local economy.
Q: How will SAMIH incorporate sustainability in its design?
A: SAMIH will utilize solar cladding panels and a flexible steel grid structure to create a sustainable and energy-efficient building.
Q: What facilities will SAMIH include?
A: SAMIH will feature various facilities, including clinical psychology and pharmacy clinics, an anatomy lab, an amphitheater, and advanced learning labs.
Q: How many healthcare professionals will SAMIH train annually?
A: SAMIH plans to train approximately 300 healthcare professionals each year, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical therapists.
Q: What role will SAMIH play in the community?
A: SAMIH aims to become a community hub, fostering connections between students, faculty, and the local community while providing essential healthcare services.