This year, we opened the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit (Schulich FMTU) at Humber River Health, a pivotal step towards addressing the healthcare challenges faced by our community in Northwest Toronto. As an official teaching site of UofT’s program for Family Medicine Residents, the Schulich FMTU is providing immediate access to more family medicine while also supporting the next generation of family doctors as they embark on their careers. This year we welcomed our first group of Residents, Drs. Bilal Negash, Yoonsik Park, Shamini Vijaya-Kumar, and Clara Sawires.

Resident Spotlight: Dr. Bilal Negash

“We can be a cornerstone for other clinics, and I hope that we can be a model for similar teaching units in Northwest Toronto.” says Dr. Negash.

Lead Resident of the Schulich FMTU, Dr. Bilal Negash, has a unique connection to Humber River Health. Having been born at Humber’s Church Site and raised within the community, Dr. Negash has witnessed first hand the lack of primary care in Northwest Toronto. He hopes to one day open his own Family Medicine practice to serve the neighbourhood he grew up in.

Dr. Negash and his family have been giving back to this community for over two decades. His parents have worked for Humber River Health for over twenty years, and Dr. Negash volunteered at Humber for six years during medical school and continues to do so as a Resident, mentoring future medical professionals as part of the Volunteer Association.

Dr. Negash is confident that the inaugural group of residents will leave a lasting impact on the growth of this program for years to come.

At the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit, we provide patients with primary care. The Schulich FMTU has been accepting patients from the area to address the large gap in patient care needs, as a number of our patients didn’t have a family doctor, lost their family doctor, or are new to the country.

“The transition from medical student to Resident was very easy. I’m excited that we have the ability to shape the program and contribute to the growth it will have in the upcoming years.” says Dr. Vijaya-Kumar.

How does it feel to be one of the first Residents?

It’s very exciting to be one of the first Residents! The community has been very warm, welcoming, and supportive. The transition from medical student to Resident was very easy. I’m excited that we have the ability to shape the program, and contribute to the growth it will have in the upcoming years.

What sets Humber River Health apart as a learning environment?

I’ve had many positive experiences here as a medical student and now as a Resident. The preceptors are very dedicated to teaching and getting the learners involved. We also have many unique and important learning experiences at Humber with immigrant and refugee health, and working with a multicultural population. Overall, it’s been a very supportive community.