The University of Toronto Scarborough has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge medical school, the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH), set to open in September 2025. With a price tag of $130 million, SAMIH aims to fulfill the growing demand for healthcare services in the underserved community.
The 143,500-square-foot facility will house a clinical psychology clinic, a pharmacy clinic, an anatomy lab, a 21-bed clinical skills lab, and 10 case-based learning instructional labs. Each year, SAMIH will train approximately 300 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical therapists.
What sets SAMIH apart is its commitment to community integration. The building has been designed not only as a place of medical education but also as a hub for public transportation and pedestrian connection. The architects have envisioned SAMIH as a space that fosters a sense of community between students, faculty, and the wider population.
Scarborough has been identified as an area with a high physician need, and SAMIH aims to address this by training healthcare professionals who will stay within the community, contributing to the local economy and healthcare ecosystem. The success of U of T’s Mississauga Academy of Medicine, where the majority of graduates established medical practices in the surrounding region, serves as a model for SAMIH’s aspirations.
In addition to its focus on community integration, SAMIH incorporates sustainable and eco-friendly features. The building will harness natural energy using solar cladding panels, which will provide up to 20 percent of the building’s electricity. The building’s flexible and sustainable structure will allow for future updates and rearrangements without excessive waste or embodied carbon.
SAMIH is poised to be a revolutionary addition to the healthcare landscape in Scarborough, addressing the urgent need for medical care in the eastern part of Toronto. By combining state-of-the-art facilities, community integration, and sustainable design principles, SAMIH aims to create a healing environment that not only benefits students and healthcare professionals but also serves as a beacon of hope for the community at large.
FAQs
1. When will SAMIH open?
SAMIH is expected to welcome its first cohort of undergraduate students in September 2025.
2. What healthcare services will be offered at SAMIH?
SAMIH will house a clinical psychology clinic, a pharmacy clinic, an anatomy lab, a 21-bed clinical skills lab, and 10 case-based learning instructional labs.
3. How many healthcare professionals will be trained annually?
Approximately 300 doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physical therapists will be trained each year at SAMIH.
4. How will SAMIH address the healthcare needs of Scarborough?
SAMIH aims to train healthcare professionals who will stay within the community of Scarborough and contribute to the local economy and healthcare ecosystem.
5. What sustainable features does SAMIH have?
SAMIH incorporates solar cladding panels that will provide up to 20 percent of the building’s electricity. The building’s structure is also designed for flexibility and sustainability, allowing for future updates without excessive waste or embodied carbon.