Osler’s new Academic Learning Centres offer a dynamic hub for learners

HN Summary

• Osler’s new Academic Learning Centres provide dedicated, modern spaces to support clinical education and collaboration. 

• The centres enhance learner experience, mentorship, and hands-on training, helping build confident future physicians. 

• This investment strengthens workforce development and patient care, supporting a growing and diverse community.

As William Osler Health System (Osler) continues to expand its footprint as one of Ontario’s leading community teaching hospitals, it’s further strengthening its commitment to learners with the recent opening of its Academic Learning Centre at Brampton Civic Hospital and the upcoming opening of an additional centre at Etobicoke General Hospital. Osler’s Academic Learning Centres are more than just physical spaces – they are the heartbeat of the learner experience.

The bright, modern facilities feature classrooms, collaborative learning areas, study spaces, workstations, lounges, call rooms and dedicated offices for education staff, all reinforcing Osler’s growing role in training the next generation of health care professionals. 

“As our region continues to grow, so too does the need to support high-quality clinical education,” said Dr. Frank Martino, President and CEO, William Osler Health System. “By creating purpose-built learning environments within our facilities, we’re investing in the people who will deliver care in our communities for years to come, which ultimately leads to best-in-class health care for patients and families.”

Dr. Claire Matlock, who joined Osler in July 2025 as part of the inaugural cohort of medical residents from Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) new School of Medicine, believes the new Academic Learning Centres send a strong signal to learners that they are valued and have a place in the future of the hospital and its communities. 

“These centres give us a place to call our own where we can prepare for clinics, complete dictation, make phone calls, consult off service, sleep over when we’re on-call, reflect on challenging cases, and importantly, network with other learners across the organization. They are so appreciated and will be well used,” added Dr. Matlock.

Informal mentorship amongst learners is considered a critical aspect of their learning, as medical residents and undergraduate learners from different institutions meet, collaborate and share their experiences across different specialties in the hospital.

“Strong learning environments are essential to developing confident, capable physicians,” said Dr. Hemant Shah, Vice President, Academics, William Osler Health System. “These Academic Learning Centres give our residents and learners a dedicated space to connect, learn and grow along with participating in vital hands-on experience with our health care teams.”

Osler has been welcoming learners to its sites for many years through well-established partnerships with McMaster University’s Michael G. Degroote School of Medicine, and University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine. In its more recent affiliation as primary clinical partner for TMU’s new School of Medicine, Osler will play a pivotal role in educating and training a diverse and inclusive health workforce that helps address health human resource challenges within the region and across Ontario. 

Dr. Shah reinforces that Osler’s expanding role as a community teaching hospital means patients will gain improved access to integrated health and social services, particularly for underserved populations, including visible and marginalized minorities and isolated seniors. 

“Expanding our footprint in education also strengthens staffing, supports new models of care, drives clinical discoveries and improves patient outcomes,” added Dr. Shah. 

According to Jasmine Sheehan, Manager, Medical Education, William Osler Health System, the Academic Learning Centres build on Osler’s continued focus on academic excellence as a foundation for future growth and for building a sustainable health care workforce. 

“These new centres are a game-changer for the learner experience,” said Sheehan. “They’re a contributing success factor in building a pipeline for future physicians, many of whom will choose to stay and practice here – physicians who understand our patients, our diverse populations and our community’s complex needs.”

For Dr. Matlock, who is in the first year of a five-year residency in general surgery at Osler, the Academic Learning Centres are already well on their way to becoming crucial hubs for connection, collaboration and camaraderie among learners from post graduate residents to undergraduate students – a place where mentorships and lifelong friendships are born.  “This is an exciting time to be training at Osler,” she added.

Osler is a leading community teaching hospital system delivering world-class health care inspired by its people and communities to the 1.3 million people who live in the growing and diverse communities of Brampton, North Etobicoke, Caledon, and surrounding areas. As the region continues to grow, so does the need to support high-quality clinical education. By creating strong learning environments, Osler is helping residents gain hands-on experience in Osler’s fast-paced hospital environment and become confident, capable physicians to serve the community.

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