This March, the UGME community came together to celebrate Match Day, marking an important milestone for the Class of 2025. After years of dedication, students learned where they will be completing their residency training, setting the stage for the next chapter in their medical careers.

In Hamilton, students received their iconic Match Day T-shirts, enjoyed medical-themed cookies, and captured memories at the photobooth. At the NRC campus, a drumming ceremony led by Niagara Health’s Indigenous Relations Specialist honored the occasion, while students received grounding kits and enjoyed time with therapy dogs. WRC’s festivities embraced the theme “Oh, the Patients You’ll Heal,” featuring a custom cake and time to connect with classmates.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! The future is bright, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish.

See more highlights on the UGME Instagram and the FHS Instagram.

Dr. Keyna Bracken will be stepping down as Chair, Pre-Clerkship as she takes on the role of Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education at Simon Fraser University.

Over the past three years, Dr. Bracken has been instrumental in shaping the pre-clerkship curriculum at McMaster, leading initiatives to enhance student learning, support academic success, and integrate innovative teaching methods. Her leadership in family medicine and medical education has been nationally recognized, with contributions spanning curriculum development, assessment strategies, and advocacy for health equity.

As she embarks on this new opportunity, the UGME program extends its gratitude for her dedication and impact at McMaster. Congratulations, Dr. Bracken—we wish you all the best in this next chapter!

The UGME program is seeking tutors in Hamilton for one or more Medical Foundations between August 2025 and June 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for faculty to engage with students while accommodating busy schedules, as session dates and times are confirmed well in advance.

Tutors play a vital role in guiding medical students through their early education, fostering critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. If you are interested in contributing to the development of future physicians, we encourage you to sign up.

For details on dates, timings, and to register, please fill out this form. For further inquiries, contact preclerk@mcmaster.ca. We look forward to working with you!

The UGME Staff Peer-to-Peer Recognition Award celebrates excellence among staff contributing to the UGME Program. This award recognizes Unifor employees who have gone above and beyond in their roles, supporting students, faculty, and colleagues across UGME, MacCARE, regional campuses, and FHS Education Services.

Staff from all three campuses are encouraged to nominate a colleague whose outstanding contributions have enhanced program operations or strengthened team relationships. Nominations are open until March 28, 2025.

Submit a nomination here: UGME Staff Recognition Form.

The award will be presented annually at the UGME Oath Ceremony. Previous recipients include Archee Hood (2024) and Andrea Paine (2023).

This March, the UGME program interviewed 570 candidates for the Class of 2028 using our asynchronous virtual Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format. This approach allows candidates and assessors to interact live while eliminating the need for costly travel. Feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the accessibility and convenience of this method.

Be sure to check out the 2025 Admissions Video, created by the McMaster Medicine Class of 2027. This unique video follows a candidate navigating an MMI, blending reality with playful musical parodies that capture the intensity—and excitement—of the journey to medical school. Earlier this month, the class of 2027 gathered for a watch party to celebrate the final cut before its official release.

You can watch the video here: 2025 Admissions Video.

Congratulations to Megan Brookbank (Class of 2025) on receiving the 2025 PARO Citizenship Award for Medical Students! This award recognizes students who make significant contributions to the well-being of their peers while maintaining strong academic standing.

The award is given annually to medical students who demonstrate a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for their classmates. Megan’s dedication to improving the medical student experience has left a lasting impact on the McMaster community.

Learn more about the award and this year’s recipients: PARO Award Recipients

The 2025 IWCH Conference brought together students, faculty, and community members to explore how technology, telehealth, and AI are shaping healthcare for women and children. Hosted by the International Women's and Children's Health (IWCH) Network, founded in 1998 by Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese, this year’s event marked the first in-person conference since the pandemic.

Attendees participated in a wide range of talks and workshops, including telecommunication in low-income countries, fetal MRI advancements, social media’s role in pregnancy nutrition research, and therapeutic games for children with cerebral palsy. The conference also highlighted student research, with McMaster Class of 2026 medical students Ashley Assam and Lori Lai winning Best Poster Presentation. The day was filled with engaging discussions and valuable insights on how technology is improving healthcare outcomes worldwide.

Thank you to all speakers, organizers, and participants for a successful event!

The Niagara Regional Campus is rallying together for the Big Move Cancer Ride to support the Walker Family Cancer Centre. This annual event raises crucial funds for cancer care in the Niagara region, and NRC is proud to participate with the McMaster Adjuvant team.

Ride Options: 25K, 50K, 75K, or a 14K Fun Ride

Date: September 14, 2025

Location: White Meadow Farms, Pelham

All NRC staff, students, residents, and faculty are invited to join the team. To participate, contact Dr. Mike Connolly.

Support the cause by donating: Big Move Cancer Ride – McMaster Adjuvant Team

The UGME program is seeking applicants for several leadership positions as current leaders complete their terms. Faculty members interested in contributing to medical education are encouraged to apply.

Open Positions:

• Chair, Pre-Clerkship
• Submit a cover letter and CV addressed to Dr. Matthew Sibbald, Associate Dean, UGME to ugmeops@mcmaster.ca by March 30, 2025.
• Director, Student Assessment
• Submit a cover letter and CV addressed to Dr. Matthew Sibbald, Associate Dean, UGME to ugmeops@mcmaster.ca by March 30, 2025.
• Director, Service-Learning
• Submit a cover letter and CV addressed to Dr. Matthew Sibbald, Associate Dean, UGME to ugmeops@mcmaster.ca by March 30, 2025.

For more details, visit the UGME website.