On May 21, 188 graduands of the Class of 2025 gathered to take the Hippocratic Oath, marking the end of their undergraduate medical education and the beginning of their journey as physicians.

Surrounded by loved ones, mentors, and faculty members, learners stood together to recite the Oath — a tradition rooted in compassion, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to patients and community. It was a moment of pride, reflection, and celebration.

The ceremony was co-hosted by Class of 2025 graduands Sarun Balaranjan and Andrea Weckman, whose thoughtful presence brought warmth and heart to the event. They guided the audience through a program that included remarks from Dr. Paul O’Byrne (Dean and Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences), Dr. Matthew Sibbald (Associate Dean, UGME), and a keynote address by Dr. Theresa Chan (Dean of Medicine, Toronto Metropolitan University).

Dr. Chan delivered a powerful reminder: “Let your conscience be louder than your fear… Move forward with boldness, and care.”

UGME program leaders also presented awards to recognize faculty, staff, and learners for their contributions:

• Patti Drochner received the UGME Staff Peer-to-Peer Award for her exceptional service and dedication.
• Sapna Humar was honoured with the Dr. William Osler Award for excellence in compassionate care.
• Brock Browett received the Dr. Robert Whyte Leadership Award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the McMaster community.

Class valedictorian Nicky Dunn closed the ceremony with a heartfelt address, thanking faculty, family, and friends, and offering three “learning objectives” to carry forward into residency:

1. Love your patients.
2. You don’t have to be the best — just keep learning.
3. Love yourself and each other.

You can see some photos of the event on our Instagram account. More photos will be loaded to our website shortly.

To the Class of 2025: congratulations on this remarkable milestone. We are proud of all you have achieved and honoured to have walked alongside you on this journey. Your next chapter begins — and we can’t wait to see where it takes you.

Congratulations to Dr. Scott Laing, whose paper “Codesigned standardised referral form: simplifying the complexity” has been named one of the Top 10 Best Papers published in BMJ Health & Care Informatics in 2024.

The study explores how codesigned, standardized referral forms can streamline information-sharing across care teams. By reducing variation and simplifying communication, the approach aims to enhance coordination and patient outcomes — particularly in complex care pathways.

You can read the full paper here.

Well done, Dr. Laing, on this national recognition!

The UGME program is seeking medical doctors to serve as Pre-Clerkship Tutors for the upcoming academic year, running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This phase of the curriculum spans the first 15 months of medical school and is divided into five Medical Foundations (MFs).

Curriculum Dates – Class of 2027 and Class of 2028:

• C2028 MF1 | August 11-October 24, 2025
• Intro to Medicine, Respiratory & Cardiology
• C2028 MF2 | October 27-December 19, 2025
• Renal & Hematology
• C2028 MF3 | January 05-March 27, 2026
• GI and Nutrition, Endocrinology, & Reproduction
• C2028 MF4 | April 6-June 26, 2026
• Musculoskeletal Medicine, Neuroscience, & Brain and Behavior
• C2027 IF | August 25-November 14, 2025
• Host Defense and Neoplasia, Complexity and Chronicity & Maternal and Child Health Risks with Aging-Related Care

Tutoring offers an excellent opportunity to engage with students while accommodating busy schedules—session dates and times are confirmed well in advance.

To sign up:

• Hamilton: Register here to be a tutor, or contact preclerk@mcmaster.ca to inquire further about dates, session times, and responsibilities.
• Niagara Regional Campus: Register here to be a tutor, or contact nrprec@mcmaster.ca to inquire further about dates, session times, and responsibilities.

Tutors play an essential role in shaping the next generation of medical professionals. We look forward to working with you!

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 McMaster Medical Student Research Excellence Scholarship (MAC RES)!

MAC RES is awarded annually to support and recognize outstanding research by undergraduate medical students. This year’s recipients explored a wide range of topics, from geriatric emergency care and pain management to artificial intelligence in clinical education and research.

Meet this year’s awardees and their projects:

• Margret Lo (C26): Geriatric emergency care among people living with dementia in Ontario
• David Kanter Eivin (C26): Evaluation of large language models for title and abstract screening in systematic reviews; development of an AI-assisted toolkit
• Urmi Sheth (C26): Role of generative AI in developing communication and clinical skills in medical education
• Alexander Xiang (C26): Accuracy of digital scribing tools in producing clinical notes – a cross-sectional study
• Sara Mojdehi (C26): Perioperative and acute pain management in opioid-dependent patients in Hamilton, Ontario
• Bhavya Ghandi (C26): Performance of large language models in assessing fever in returning travellers
• Ashlyn Chou (C26): Medical student perspectives on effective clinical teaching in anesthesiology and surgery – a qualitative study
• Samantha Keow (C26): Inclusion of transgender individuals in gender-affirming facial surgery research – a systematic review
• Blossom Dharmaraj (C26): Developing a standardized equation for postoperative methadone conversion in pediatric patients
• Hana Sharifi & Michelle Yu (C26): CAPPUCCINO: Caffeine for apnea prevention in infants with suspected infection – a systematic review
• Alina Pace (C25): Quality of life and respiratory symptoms in Canadian university students – a cross-sectional survey
• Lori Lai (C25): Patient perspectives on communication during conversion from neuraxial to general anesthesia in elective C-sections

We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the impact of their research on healthcare and medical education.

Joshua Keogh (C26) and his team recently published an umbrella review in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (May 2025) titled The Effects of Structured Prehabilitation on Post-Operative Outcomes Following Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty. Supported by Joshua’s 2024 MAC RES award, this study synthesizes evidence from multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate how structured exercise programs before surgery impact recovery after total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Co-authors include Isabelle Keng (UGME C26), Dalraj Dhillon (UGME C26), Dr. Bourgeault-Gagnon, Nicole Simunovic (Research Manager, McMaster Sports Medicine Research Group), and Professor Olufemi Ayeni (Department of Surgery, McMaster University).

The research demonstrates that prehabilitation reduces postoperative complication rates and improves both objective measures (strength, functional tests) and subjective outcomes (quality of life, self-reported function). These benefits are mainly observed within six months post-surgery and tend to diminish thereafter. The volume of resistance training did not significantly influence outcomes, highlighting a need for further research to optimize prehabilitation protocols. The authors emphasize the importance of designing therapeutically valid programs and exploring resistance training variations to enhance recovery.

Read the full article here.

The McMaster Medical Student Research Day (MMSRD) returns on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at CIBC Hall, located on the 3rd floor of the McMaster University Student Centre in Hamilton, ON.

This annual event showcases the breadth and depth of research conducted by medical students. MMSRD offers a valuable opportunity for learners to present their work, gain feedback from expert judges, and engage with clinicians, researchers, and peers. The conference also welcomes undergraduate students, staff, residents, and fellows to attend and support the presentations.

To participate, please complete the registration form by June 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Questions can be directed to the MMSRD team at mmsrdmcmaster@gmail.com.

The Research Directors from the Niagara Regional Campus (NRC), Waterloo Regional Campus (WRC), and Hamilton campus are excited to announce a new monthly Research-in-Progress Round (RiPR). This initiative provides learners a dedicated forum to present their research or Quality Improvement projects and receive valuable methodological and clinical feedback.

Projects at any stage—whether in conception, design, implementation, data analysis, or manuscript preparation—are welcome. RiPR sessions are open to medical students, faculty, and residents, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

Each session features a panel of experts, including methodologists, physicians, biostatisticians, and peers. Presenters can engage in discussions, seek advice, troubleshoot challenges, and gain constructive suggestions to advance their work.

Sessions will be co-chaired by Dr. Kim Lewis (Director of Research and Scholarship) and Dr. Danielle de Sa Boasquevisque (Neurologist & Researcher, NH), with support from Dr. Aaron Jones (Director of Research, WRC) and Professor Larry Chambers (Director of Research, NRC).

Medical students interested in presenting can sign up using the registration form. Spots are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Presenters will be notified once selected.

For questions, please contact kimlewis83@gmail.com or weeras@mcmaster.ca.

On May 5, the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge (IHLL), in collaboration with UGME learners and Indigenous community partners, held a service-learning activity to mark Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Day. This national day of awareness honours the lives and legacies of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals who have gone missing or been victims of violence.

To support and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities, medical learners came together to assemble and distribute 100 care packages for Indigenous women in surrounding regions. They were shared with the following organizations:

• 25 packages to De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre (Hamilton)
• 25 packages to De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre (St. Catharines)
• 50 packages to the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre during the Red Dress Ceremony

These packages served as a gesture of support and connection, and the event provided an opportunity for learners to engage meaningfully with community partners and deepen their understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonial violence.

Below is a reflection shared by one of the participating medical students:

"Indigenous people are continuing to live with the ongoing and historic aspects of racism, colonialism, and the aftermath of the residential school system. The homicide rates for Indigenous women and girls in Canada are much higher compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts (6x to be exact), and most Indigenous women were killed by someone they knew and that the accused was often Indigenous. This aligns with the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada where early exposure to family violence, family breakdown due to residential schools, and forced apprehension of Indigenous children, and other factors related to colonialism are related to violence within Indigenous communities.

As a future physician, I participated in this service learning opportunity because I wanted to learn from the Indigenous community that I serve. It is important to emphasize here that this can only happen when a relationship of trust has been built. It is my job as a medical student to create a safe space for my patients to share, and ensure that they are aware of my efforts. As I reflect on my experiences as a patient and which doctors made me feel safe, I realize it is the ones who listen, don’t interrupt, ask probing questions from a place of genuine curiosity and care, that have done so. Physicians have their own governing body, and with that comes a lot of privilege. We can use this privilege to lobby for change within the healthcare system, so cases of neglect and abuse against Indigenous people do not continue to happen, such as in the cases of Brian Sinclair, Heather Winterstein, Joyce Echaquan, and others.

Overall, change must occur, on both the individual and systemic levels. Through participating in this service learning opportunity, I learned more about my role as a medical student and future physician on how to practice culturally safe medicine and ensure that my patients receive the care that they need and deserve."

We are grateful to all who participated and to our community partners for their guidance and collaboration.

Looking to give back while building meaningful connections with youth in the community?

McMaster medical students are invited to take part in a weekly service learning initiative at the Good Shepherd Hamilton Family Centre. This program offers the opportunity to tutor and mentor children who are currently accessing housing services — a valuable chance to foster trust, empathy, and communication skills outside the clinical environment.

When: Wednesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM

Where: Good Shepherd Family Centre, Hamilton

Sign Up: Complete this form — rolling registration, no deadline

Questions? Contact praise.christi@medportal.ca

This is a meaningful way to make a difference while gaining insight into the lived experiences of children and families in transitional housing.

Since January, over 50 medical students from the Class of 2027 have volunteered at 10 Teddy Bear Clinics hosted across local schools and libraries — with even more clinics planned.

At each event, children from junior kindergarten to Grade 4 take on the role of “doctors” for their teddy bears. They learn about primary care, X-rays, healthy eating, vaccines, and more, guided by our dedicated McMaster medical students.

A special thank you to our Teddy Bear Clinic Chairs — Claire Verkuyl, Cassidy Fu, and Talia Ganz — for their leadership in organizing these impactful community events.

Here are some recent highlights:

• At the Westdale branch of the Hamilton Public Library, seven volunteers welcomed about 25 young participants, offering hands-on learning stations.
• At the Boys and Girls Club in Fort Erie, learners hosted a clinic featuring stations on Primary Care, Hand Hygiene, Nutrition, X-ray, Anesthesia/Operating Room, and Wellness, encouraging children to care for their teddy bear “patients.”
• The Waterloo Regional Campus held a clinic at the Kitchener Public Library on April 12, with 11 volunteers supporting over 95 attendees. Stations included Hand Washing, Primary Care and Vaccination, X-Ray, Surgery, and Physical Wellness. The clinic aimed to reduce children’s fear of medical visits and promote healthy habits.
• On Saturday, May 3rd, a Teddy Bear Clinic took place at the Guelph Public Library, continuing the outreach to local children.

Thank you to all the medical students who continue to create fun, educational experiences that support children’s comfort and understanding of healthcare.

Tickets are now available for the Mac Med Musical 2025, an annual production written, performed, and hosted by McMaster medical students. Join us for two entertaining evenings filled with talent and community spirit.

Dates: June 7 and 8 at 7:30 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM)

Venue: Robinson Memorial Theatre, Chester New Hall, McMaster University, 1280 Main St West, Hamilton

Ticket prices:

• Student Admission: $17 (includes fees and taxes; valid student ID required)
• General Admission: $23 (includes fees and taxes)

Buy your tickets here!

All proceeds support MacKids at McMaster Children’s Hospital, making this a great opportunity to enjoy the arts while giving back. Get your tickets today and celebrate creativity and community with your peers!

Dr. Shane Neilson (Waterloo Regional Campus) was an invited guest speaker at the 2025 Dr. Angie McGibbon Medical Education Forum, held in New Brunswick at the end of April.

The conference theme was Recognizing Neurocomplexity in our Learners, Faculty and Staff. In his plenary talk, “Professional Stigmatizations, or How I Survived (and Continue to Survive) Medical Education,” Dr. Neilson addressed the barriers neurodiverse learners face in medical environments. He highlighted the need for inclusive approaches that support both diagnosed and undiagnosed learners, challenging medical education to become more responsive and equitable.

We are delighted to introduce you to our new Wellness Counsellor, Andrew Holmes, who has recently joined the Student Affairs team. Andrew brings a wealth of experience in mental health and wellness and is dedicated to supporting our students' well-being.

Andrew will be available for individual counselling sessions, wellness workshops, and various mental health initiatives. Their approach is student-centered, focusing on creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

We believe that Andrew’s expertise and compassionate approach will be a valuable addition to our team and will greatly benefit our student community.

Please join us in welcoming Andrew to our team. If you have any questions or would like to meet with Andrew feel free to reach out to macmdsupport@mcmaster.ca or through our booking site: Book Online.

“Hi, I am Andrew. Thank you for the warm and supportive welcome. I am delighted to be a part of the Student Affairs Team and a Wellness Counsellor. I believe that our own wellness is a crucial part of our professional journey. Recently I came across the following quote: “If you want to take care of others then start taking care of yourself first.” (Quoteslifetime.com). I am here to help support you as you care for yourself so you can continue to care for others. I am looking forward to connecting with you."