First students begin studies at SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine

The inaugural class of the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine begin a new chapter in medical education in British Columbia today.

The school's first 48 students start their orientation on SFU's Surrey campus to become future physicians for the province's health-care system.

"Every first day of school is exciting, but this one especially so, as we welcome our inaugural class of medical students to Simon Fraser University," says SFU President Joy Johnson. "Teams across the university have been working towards this moment for years, in collaboration with the provincial government, health authorities and Indigenous communities.

"The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine has been thoughtfully designed from the ground up to advance primary care—the foundation of health care—in service of people and communities across British Columbia. I could not be more proud or more excited about the impact these incredible students will have on our health care system and in our province."

Each class of students is expected to grow over the next decade to 120 by 2035.

"Like many places, B.C. is facing a shortage of doctors. But our plan is making a difference – connecting thousands of people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner every week and helping B.C. lead the country in doctors per person," says Premier David Eby.

"The long-term solution is to train more doctors here at home. The students starting at the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine today will care for families through some of life's happiest and hardest moments. We need to keep building on the progress we're making to ensure care is there for you when and where you need it."

SFU’s medical school’s innovative approaches to education, research and partnerships have been designed for significant, positive individual, community, and system impact.

“Welcoming our first students is a moment of tremendous pride and excitement for everyone at the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine,” says founding dean Dr. David Price. “This inaugural cohort will help shape a new approach to medical education focused on community-based care, equitable access and the diverse health needs of people across British Columbia. I am deeply grateful to our remarkable faculty and staff, whose dedication, care and commitment have made this day possible. We look forward to the difference the students will make."

Students will learn alongside health-care teams caring for patients in community clinics, primary care settings, and hospitals throughout the Fraser Health region. In the future, they will also provide care through a team-based primary care clinic in the school’s permanent home adjacent to SFU’s Surrey campus, expanding access to health care for people in Surrey while strengthening the region's health-care system.  

“I am incredibly excited to join the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine this August,” says student Jasper Delichte. “I was drawn to the program’s commitment to advancing health equity through community-embedded medicine, which aligns with the kind of physician I aspire to become. I hope to build my career in a community health centre, providing trauma-informed and culturally safe care while advocating for equitable access to healthcare across British Columbia.”

The school is designed to help address health disparities in British Columbia and advance Indigenous health, including embedding Indigenous knowledge systems throughout the curriculum while advancing cultural safety and cultural humility. This will help prepare physicians to provide respectful, culturally responsive care for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and all the diverse communities they will serve.

“Joining the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine is incredibly meaningful to me,” says student Mehtab Sandhu. “As a nurse, I dedicated my time to caring for patients and serving my community. SFU's admissions process challenged me to demonstrate the experiences, resilience, and perspective I bring as a non-traditional applicant, and I believe that reflects the school's commitment to equity and selecting future physicians who are deeply connected to the communities they will serve.”  

In June, SFU announced that the Stephens family, led by Ratana and Arran Stephens, founders of Nature’s Path and principals of Que Pasa, donated $40 million to the school. In recognition of this donation, the school is now called the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine.