Surrey students make history with opening of medical school

Jasper Delichte is excited to be making history in Surrey.

Delichte is one of the first cohort of future doctors at the Simon Fraser University Stephens Family School of Medicine that just opened its doors in Surrey.

On Wednesday, the cohort of 48 medical students had their first day of orientation in the school of medicine’s interim learning space.

“I am incredibly excited to join the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine,” said Delichte. “I was drawn to the program’s commitment to advancing health equity through community-embedded medicine, which aligns with the kind of physician I aspire to become. I hope to build my career in a community health centre, providing trauma-informed and culturally safe care, while advocating for equitable access to health care across British Columbia.” 

The new students will complete a curriculum designed to advance primary care and train doctors to provide team-based, person-centred care to serve diverse communities throughout B.C.

The three-year program will deliver a medical education through a year-round curriculum, including summer studies. Students will graduate one year quicker than many other medical schools so they can deliver care sooner.

Students will graduate with a doctor of medicine degree, and start their residencies as early as 2029. While the focus of the curriculum is community and primary care, students will be well equipped to pursue residencies across the full range of specializations.

While 48 medical students make up the inaugural 2026 class, the student cohorts will increase in phases, reaching a steady state of 120 students a year by 2035.

To date, government has committed $41.1 million in ongoing annual operational funding.

“Like many places, B.C. is facing a shortage of doctors. But our plan is making a difference – connecting thousands of people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner every week and helping B.C. lead the country in doctors per person,” said Premier David Eby. “The long-term solution is to train more doctors here at home. The students starting at the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine today will care for families through some of life’s happiest and hardest moments. We need to keep building on the progress we’re making to ensure care is there for you when and where you need it.” 

Medical students at the SFU school of medicine are aiming to drive system change, the province said through:

• participation in research
• community partnerships
• partnerships with Indigenous communities

“Every first day of school is exciting,but this one especially so,” said Joy Johnson, president, Simon Fraser University. “Teams across the university have been working toward this moment for years, in collaboration with the provincial government, health authorities and Indigenous communities.The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine has been thoughtfully designed from the ground up to advance primary care –the foundation of health care –in service of people and communities across British Columbia.I could not be more proud or more excited about the impact these incredible students will have on our health-care system and in our province.”