SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine begins training future doctors through a three-year accelerated program focused on primary and community care
SURREY, B.C. — On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the first cohort of 48 medical students began orientation at the new Simon Fraser University (SFU) Stephens Family School of Medicine in Surrey, marking the opening of British Columbia’s first new medical school in nearly 60 years and the first new medical school established in Western Canada in almost six decades.
The new school is being positioned as a major part of the province’s strategy to address physician shortages and strengthen access to family doctors, nurse practitioners, and primary care services across British Columbia.
Premier David Eby framed the opening as a direct response to the province’s ongoing shortage of family physicians.
“Like many places, B.C. is facing a shortage of doctors. But our plan is making a difference… The long-term solution is to train more doctors here at home,” Eby said. “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.”
The school is currently operating from an interim learning space while a permanent medical school facility is built in Surrey, with completion expected in 2030. Student enrollment will expand in phases, reaching a steady intake of 120 students per year by 2035.
A compressed curriculum aimed at primary care
Unlike traditional four-year medical programs, the SFU school runs a three-year, year-round curriculum that includes summer studies. Students will graduate one year earlier than many Canadian medical school peers and can begin residency training as early as 2029.
Graduates will receive a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and will be eligible to pursue residency programs across the full range of medical specialties. The school’s curriculum is designed with a strong emphasis on community and primary care, team-based practice, person-centred medicine, and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
A key goal of the program is to train physicians who can provide culturally safe and equitable care in diverse communities across British Columbia.
“I was drawn to the program’s commitment to advancing health equity through community-embedded medicine,” said Jasper Delichte, a member of the inaugural class. “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.”
Jessie Sunner, B.C.’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said the medical school is part of a broader provincial effort to expand the health-care workforce.
“We’re taking action to train more doctors right here at home, so British Columbians can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”
The provincial government has committed $41.1 million in ongoing annual operational funding for the school.
Why Surrey matters for diaspora communities
Surrey is one of Canada’s most ethnically diverse cities and home to large South Asian, Filipino, Chinese, and other immigrant communities. Many residents have faced long wait times for family physicians and challenges accessing culturally appropriate care.
The decision to locate a new medical school with an explicit community and primary-care mandate in Surrey is significant beyond simply increasing physician numbers. The curriculum’s focus on health equity, trauma-informed care, and culturally safe practice directly reflects the needs of many communities across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Health Minister Josie Osborne described the opening as “a significant moment for health care in British Columbia and the start of a new chapter — training more doctors here at home, strengthening primary care, and building the knowledge and capacity that will serve communities across the province for generations to come.”
Garry Begg, parliamentary secretary for Surrey infrastructure, said the investment would strengthen Surrey as a growing centre for both health care and education.
“This investment will strengthen Surrey as a growing centre for health care and education, while helping train more doctors to serve people and families across our province.”
SFU President Joy Johnson said the school was created through years of collaboration between the university, 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.”
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. David Price said the inaugural class will help shape a new model of medical education focused on community-based care and the diverse health needs of British Columbians.
Looking ahead
The first graduates are expected to enter the health-care system around 2029, with the school steadily increasing enrollment over the next decade. By 2035, the program aims to become a significant contributor to British Columbia’s physician pipeline, particularly in primary care and underserved communities.
For families in Surrey, Newton, Guildford, Burnaby, Langley, and the broader Fraser Valley who have waited years for a family doctor, the opening of the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine represents more than a new academic program. It is a long-term investment in training community-oriented, culturally aware physicians who are expected to strengthen primary care access across British Columbia for generations to come.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
