Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine's Indigenous Health Lead at the table from the beginning

Toronto Metropolitan University's first cohort of medical students will have an Indigenous Health Lead when its School of Medicine opens in September 2025 in Brampton, Ont.

Dr. Jamaica Cass, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, who grew up in Belleville, Ont. just outside of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, about 170 kilometres east of Toronto, was recently named as the Indigenous Health Lead.

Cass said it's important for Indigenous students to "see themselves represented in leadership, in health care roles, so that they are hopefully motivated to, in turn, pursue health careers."

Growing up, Cass said she always wanted to be a scientist. She holds a PhD in breast cancer molecular biology from Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., but found the research isolating.

"I loved the health science research," she said. 

"I loved the teaching I was able to do as a graduate student there, but I missed that connection with people." 

Medicine was a way for her to connect with people.

She currently practises family medicine two days a week in Tyendinaga and plans to divide her time between that job and her role at TMU.

Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor of TMU, said it's important to have the Indigenous Health Lead at the table from the beginning because they are in the process of developing the curriculum and the policies at the school.

Cass said being involved from the outset has been vital in developing a dedicated admissions pathway program. 

Cass said she's been able to factor in nationally reviewed and supported guidelines for Indigenous representation in medicine to create an admissions policy for Indigenous students.

She has also engaged with the local community to make sure that TMU will be able to meet the needs of learners. 

"It's not just about having these learners come into the university and having spots for them," Cass said, adding she wants places to connect, mentorship and elder support available to students as well.

"We want to be sure that we're supporting them all the way from the application process through to the residency matching process to ensure that they're able to be successful in their careers," said Cass.

Cass said one of the biggest difficulties she's seen in Indigenous health care is the retention of Indigenous doctors who are willing to work in their communities.

She hopes this position will help recruit more Indigenous students who will go back to serve their communities.

Indigenous perspectives 'critical'

Dr. Elisa Levi, from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, was a member of TMU's Indigenous Communities Council, and involved with the early community engagement phase for the medical school.

She practises medicine in her traditional territory and has seen the conditions that prevent Indigenous people from accessing appropriate health care such as fear of stigma, and lack of access to primary care and culturally safe care. 

"I think having Indigenous people with lived experience, that's critical," said Levi.

"We can provide that perspective." 

Levi said she's seen a shift since she graduated with a bachelor's degree from the school, then known as Ryerson University, in 1997. She's been involved at the school ever since as an alumnus sitting on their advisory committee.

In her 40s, a self-described outsider as a mature student, she graduated from McMaster University's medical school in Hamilton and completed her family medicine residency.

She hopes TMU's commitment to reconciliation will result in the removal of barriers and a more diverse cohort of students. 

"When you look at the candidates who aren't accepted, they're as exceptional as the ones who were. It's really competitive," she said.