“I reached out to nearly a dozen doctors,” says Sabrina. “As my mother’s primary caregiver, I needed to quickly find accessible healthcare close to home.”

Sabrina’s scramble to secure primary care for her 94-year-old mother and herself began when their long time family doctor shared the news of their retirement.

She and her mother found themselves in need of a reliable healthcare provider, which was particularly concerning for Sabrina considering her mother’s recurring health issues.

Sabrina encountered several barriers during her search: many doctors either were not accepting new patients, were outside of her community, or had extensive guidelines that made it difficult for her to access the care both her and her mother needed.

“I reached out to nearly a dozen doctors,” says Sabrina. “As my mother’s primary caregiver, I needed to quickly find accessible healthcare close to home.”

Fortunately, Sabrina’s retired doctor heard about Humber River Health’s new Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit (Schulich FMTU) and recommended she get on the patient list.

As a training centre for Medical Residents in partnership with the University of Toronto, the Schulich FMTU is providing immediate added access to primary care for local patients like Sabrina and her mother, while also training future Family Physicians.

Humber River Health announced the opening of the Schulich FMTU in September, a pivotal step towards addressing the healthcare access challenges faced by our Northwest Toronto community. With a catchment of 850,000, the need for accessible primary care has never been more critical. And as a training centre for Medical Residents in partnership with the University of Toronto, the Schulich FMTU is providing immediate added access to primary care for local patients like Sabrina and her mother, while also training future Family Physicians.

“When my old doctor retired, I was at a loss. The Schulich FMTU turned out to be a lifeline for both me and my mother.” says Sabrina.

Upon an initial visit to the Schulich FMTU for a consultation with Dr. Priya Sood, Sabrina instantly felt a sense of comfort and relief. Not only was the Schulich FMTU nearby, meaning she could easily bring her mother to appointments, but she appreciated that the clinic was equipped with teaching staff and Residents, which gave her confidence in their care.

As their primary contact, Dr. Sood is not just a physician for Sabrina but someone who is genuinely interested in the well-being of her patients.

“Dr. Sood is fantastic! She actively listens and works on diagnosing and addressing my health concerns. She’s a true advocate for her patients.” says Sabrina.

Dr. Sood was caring and proactive in addressing Sabrina’s new health issues, and secured an appointment she needed with a rheumatologist.

“I won the lottery! Dr. Sood and the staff at the Schulich FMTU are exceptional and I couldn’t be more grateful for their efforts.” says Sabrina.

With her health issues increasing as she ages, Sabrina is grateful to have found healthcare that she feels confident in, enabling her to prioritize her mother’s well-being without worry.

“I won the lottery! Dr. Sood and the staff at the Schulich FMTU are exceptional and I couldn’t be more grateful for their efforts.” says Sabrina.

Sabrina’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of accessible healthcare and the profound impact a caring doctor can have on a patient’s life. The Schulich FMTU stands as a testament to the positive difference that dedicated medical professionals can make in their communities.