Summer 2026 Chair’s Message
Happy summer, colleagues and friends!
We’re only halfway through 2026, and it’s already been a year filled with significant changes and movement at the DFCM. To name a few things, we said goodbye to Dr. Danielle Martin after five years as our Chair, I stepped into the role of Interim Chair, which led to various other leadership changes across our department, and we’ve had to navigate the adjustment of staff returning to the office more frequently. I know it has been a lot, and I want to sincerely thank all of you for your patience, flexibility, and continued dedication throughout this time.
Even as we’ve worked through these transitions, there is also so much to be proud of, and I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the positive momentum we’ve been building together this year.
Successful CaRMS Match and Expansion
One of the highlights of 2026 that I’m proud to share has been our exceptionally successful CaRMS match. Our robust program fully matched, and we are excited to welcome 190 first-year family medicine residents this summer—up from 183 last year. This growth is a strong reflection of the value of family medicine and the outstanding reputation of our program and PGME team.
We are also seeing encouraging signs across the province. This year, there were 54 fewer unfilled family medicine residency positions compared to last year. It’s heartening to see growing interest in family medicine among new physicians. As a department, we have long been strong advocates for primary care, and this progress speaks to the collective efforts of so many of you.
Inaugural Faculty Development Retreat at North York General Hospital
Another highlight comes from one of our community teaching sites, NYGH, where their inaugural Faculty Development Retreat brought together more than 50 faculty members for an afternoon of learning and connection. The sessions, ranging from AI in medical education to mastering communication skills when providing sensitive feedback, leadership and ethical issues in teaching, sparked thoughtful discussions and shared learning. Just as importantly, the event created a wonderful space to for me to reconnect with colleagues, meet new faces, and build a stronger DFCM community. It was wonderful to see such high energy and engagement, and I’m grateful to Dr. Dani Manis for her leadership as Chief, and to Dr. Jordana Sacks and her team for organizing such a great event!
Celebrating Five Years of Patient Partnership
This year, we are proudly celebrating the fifth anniversary of our Patient Partner Program. When Dana Arafeh joined the DFCM as our first Patient and Family Engagement Specialist, she helped establish the Patient and Family Advisory Committee, laying out the groundwork for a vibrant culture of patient partnership across our department.
Since then, patient partners have become woven into the fabric of the DFCM. Their insights, generosity, and lived experience have enriched our work and strengthened our ability to deliver care that is truly patient‑centred. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Tara Kiran for her thoughtful guidance and leadership, which has helped shape the program’s development and growth. I encourage you to take some time to read the Patient Partnership Report and reflect on the impact of this important work.
Highlights of the 2026 DFCM Conference
The DFCM Conference was a stellar success this year, selling out within just a few days. This year’s theme, “Primary Care in the Digital Era: Harnessing Technology and Social Influence,” kicked off with our keynote speaker, Dr. Mike Evans, sparking important conversations throughout the day about innovations in primary care, while also reminding us that human connection remains at the heart of family medicine.
Attendees had the opportunity to explore new ideas, share experiences, and reflect on how we can thoughtfully integrate technology while preserving the relationships that define our work. My sincere thank you to all those who attended and to Dr. Allyson Merbaum, Daniel Dudycha and the dedicated staff and faculty who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to plan and deliver such a dynamic and impactful event for over 300 attendees.
As we head into the summer months, I hope you can take some well-deserved time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most to you, both within your work and well beyond it. In a year marked by profound change and challenge, what has stood out most is your unwavering commitment to the people you serve and the communities you support. Your dedication to our patients, learners, colleagues, and to each other has been a powerful reflection of who we are at our best. Your deep commitment and care do not go unnoticed, and I am deeply grateful for everything you do. Thank you for the compassion and excellence you bring every day to our department and to our patients and colleagues. I’m looking forward to all that we’ll continue to build together in the months to come.
Warmly,
Shirley
