Dr. Sharonie Valin appointed Associate Undergraduate Education Program Director

The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) is pleased to announce Dr. Sharonie Valin has been appointed Associate Undergraduate Education Program Director.

Working alongside Dr. Azadeh Moaveni, Undergraduate Education Program Director, Dr. Valin will support the leadership, coordination, evaluation and advancement of undergraduate family medicine education at U of T as the MD program embarks on clerkship renewal. She will also support and co-lead scholarly initiatives that study and promote best educational practices in undergraduate education.

A DFCM clinician-educator and family doctor at North York General Hospital, Dr. Valin joined DFCM in 2003 having completed her medical training at U of T.

She has been an integral part of the undergraduate education team for many years, having previously served as Interim Program Director and, since July 2020, as Interim Associate Director. Her addition to the team was key to the successful reintegration of clerks into clinical medicine during the pandemic.

“I am so excited and honored to work with the undergraduate leadership team at DFCM,” says Dr. Valin. “I am privileged to have the opportunity to help deliver excellence in education that defines our work at DFCM. I truly believe that appreciation for family medicine is at the core of any good physician and look forward to ensuring that students have the best possible introduction to family medicine through our program.”

Each year, around 260 MD students complete mandatory clinical programs in the second year of the Family Medicine Longitudinal Experience, and core clerkship rotations at 20 DFCM-affiliated GTA and rural sites. In the fourth year, DFCM offers more than 150 electives and selectives across the breadth of family medicine.

“Family medicine is a core component of undergraduate MD training at UofT. Our courses are designed to showcase the breath and scope of family medicine, and provide medical students with learning opportunities that reflect the important role of the family physician in the health care system” says Dr. Risa Freeman, Vice-Chair Education. “Dr. Valin is a respected educator and we are delighted that she will be taking on this leadership position in the undergraduate education program.”

As Dr. Valin joins the undergraduate team, Dr. Ruby Alvi is completing her five-year term as Pre-Clerkship Director. Dr. Alvi provided exceptional leadership during her tenure and was crucial to the successful launch of the Foundations program in the first and second year of the MD program. Dr. Alvi will continue to provide leadership in the undergraduate program as Medical Student Leadership and Engagement Lead.

Dr. Valin begins her five-year term on July 1, 2021.