A large financial donation will be used to increase the healthcare options for Brampton residents.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine has received a $7.5 million gift from the operators of 407 ETR, which will be recognized through the naming of their flagship community health clinic. The 407 ETR (Express Tool Route) is the privately operated 108-km electronic toll highway that runs across the northern part of the Greater Toronto Area.

The philanthropic gift will support the School of Medicine Capital Building Fund, enabling the construction, renovation, and equipping of a modern, purpose-built medical education facility.

The IHCs are currently accepting new patients to attach to a primary care physician.

Referred to as Integrated Health Centres (IHCs), the clinics have recently opened at the School of Medicine in the former Bramalea Civic Centre at 150 Central Park Drive. A satellite clinic will also operate in downtown Brampton at 74 Queen Street West.

In recognition of the donation, the clinic will be named the TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR.

According to TMU, the injection of funds “will help drive forward solutions to Peel Region’s critical shortage of family physicians” and bring care to more than 14,000 patients who don’t currently have a doctor.

Because of the shortage of primary care (the first point of medical contact in Ontario, delivered by nurses, family doctors, and other healthcare teams), Brampton residents often head to the hospital for treatment of minor medical issues. The new clinics are expected to relieve some of that pressure that has been experienced at hospital emergency departments.

These centres are expected to serve over 100,000 patient visits annually.

As well as university-affiliated clinics, the IHCs will provide learning experience for TMU medical students who will train in interprofessional, team-based settings alongside physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and other health-care professionals.

The IHCs will also allow collaboration and expertise from schools and programs across TMU, including nursing, social work, midwifery, nutrition, psychology, health administration and biomedical engineering.

“The TMU Integrated Health Centre Supported by 407 ETR, will be the cornerstone of experiential medical education in primary care, chronic disease management and community-based services,” said Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of TMU. “By embedding learners directly within the community, we are addressing a recognized physician shortage while simultaneously expanding patient capacity. We are grateful to 407 ETR for joining us as a partner in strengthening Ontario’s health-care system for decades to come.”

The 407 ETR gift will also unlock an additional $7.5 million through a previously announced $25 million matching commitment from Orlando Corporation. This matching effectively doubles the impact of the donation, directing a total of $15 million toward the transformation of the former Bramalea Civic Centre into a state-of-the-art medical school facility.

“This represents a historic donation and a proud moment for 407 ETR,” says Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR. “We’ve always connected people to the places that matter most — and through this investment, we’re proud to continue connecting communities to the care they need.”

Sharanjeet Kaur, Chief Administrative Officer, TMU School of Medicine; Dr. Adam Kassam, Founding Executive Director, Health Innovation & Strategy at TMU and Executive Medical Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Health; Dr. Naveed Mohammad, TMU IHC Board Member; Christina Basil, Vice President, Communications & Government Relations, 407 ETR; David McFadden, K.C., Corporate Director, Chair of the Board, 407 ETR; Jose Espinosa, President & CEO, 407 ETR; Mohamed Lachemi, TMU President and Vice-Chancellor; Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, TMU Provost and Vice-President, Academic and IHC Board Chair; Dr. Amandeep Kaur, TMU resident doctor; Donette Chin-Loy Chang, TMU Chancellor; Dr. Teresa M. Chan, Founding Dean, TMU School of Medicine & Vice-President, Medical Affairs; Dr. Jobin Varughese Assistant Dean, Primary Care; and Krishan Mehta, Vice-President, University Advancement and Alumni Relations, TMU. Photo by Alyssa K. Faoro.


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