November 13, 2025
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) is pleased to welcome Simon Fraser University (SFU) as the newest member of Canada’s academic medicine community. The launch of SFU’s School of Medicine marks a historic milestone as the first new medical school in Western Canada in nearly 60 years and represents a major step toward improving access to care across British Columbia.
Located in Surrey, the SFU School of Medicine is built on a community-embedded model, placing a strong emphasis on primary care and training future physicians where care is delivered. Learners begin clinical training just one month into the program, working directly with local care teams and gaining hands-on experience grounded in the realities of community health. This approach fosters meaningful relationships between learners and the people they serve, preparing graduates to deliver care that is informed, respectful, and responsive to community needs.
SFU will welcome its inaugural class of 48 medical students in August 2026 and plans to increase enrollment to 120 students by 2035. The school will feature a general admissions stream alongside a dedicated pathway for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit applicants, reflecting its strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
A central focus of the new school is its commitment to Indigenous health and reconciliation. Developed in close partnership with Indigenous communities, the program integrates Indigenous knowledge and perspectives throughout its design, from curriculum development to student support. This approach helps advance health equity and cultural safety in medical education.
“The launch of the SFU School of Medicine represents a bold step forward for medical education in Canada. We are building a school that is deeply rooted in community, grounded in equity, and committed to reconciliation. Our goal is to train future physicians in the community, for the community, and with the community—ensuring that medical education responds directly to the health needs of British Columbians”, says David Price, Founding Dean and Special Advisor to the Provost & Vice-President Academic. “Our innovative, community-centred curriculum provides exceptional preparation for family medicine and other primary care specialties while maintaining the broad foundation needed for all areas of medicine”.
SFU also aims to contribute to health system improvement through research that responds directly to community priorities, supporting innovation in primary care, informing policy, and generating evidence that leads to meaningful change.
AFMC congratulates Simon Fraser University on this landmark achievement and looks forward to collaborating in advancing academic medicine and improving health for all Canadians.