Thank you for being here at a time such as this.

The landscape of healthcare, medical education, and Canadian values is evolving rapidly, and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) stands at the forefront – helping to shape the future with clarity, courage, and compassion.

The 2024/2025 cycle was a testament to our collective vision and strength. Significantly, we welcomed Canada’s 18th medical school – the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine – into our national community. This brave new school embodies AFMC’s commitment to training physicians who reflect and serve the diverse needs of Canadians. We also continue to support Simon Fraser University as it plans to open a new medical school in Surrey, B.C., which will embed First Nations, Inuit, and Métis knowledge systems and perspectives into student learning. The addition of these faculties is a powerful signal of renewal, growth, innovation, and hope.

This year, AFMC also wrapped up year one of its ambitious, three-year strategic plan – thanks to the passion and effort of 1,200 volunteer faculty, staff, learners, and patients, as well as 56 AFMC staff. I am inspired daily by this community of thought leaders and change agents.

AFMC’s Strategic Plan is built on three enduring pillars: Education, Social Accountability, and Health Research. These pillars are more than priorities. They are promises.

Education is our foundation. AFMC is committed to advancing excellence in medical training so that every learner is equipped with world-class clinical skills and with the empathy and adaptability required in today’s complex world. To achieve this, AFMC convenes pan-national Committees and Networks, as well as the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM), to strengthen communities of practice, to mobilize expertise, and to drive meaningful improvements at every stage of the medical school journey and beyond, into the field of practice.

Social Accountability is our compass. As threats to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) abound, we believe that medical education must be responsive to the communities it serves. Across the ecosystem of AFMC Committees, Networks, ICAM and partnerships, progress is being made to dismantle barriers to education and care – especially as they relate to Indigenous health and other equity-deserving groups. Closely attuned to the communities we serve, AFMC is a leading voice on planetary health, working to inform public policy and equip future medical professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.

Health Research is our engine, propelling us into the future. Across Canada, medical schools are driving discovery, innovation, and evidence-based solutions to the most pressing health challenges of our time. This work improves lives, fuels economic prosperity, and informs critical health policy. AFMC is advocating for stable investment in the clinician-scientist journey, for the benefit of all Canadians.

This Annual Report is but a snapshot of the deep, intentional work that took place across Canada’s medical schools in 2024-2025. It is a true privilege to see progress unfold from my vantage point.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, I extend deep thanks to every volunteer in the AFMC ecosystem. Medical training, healthcare, and communities across Canada have been made better thanks to your time, expertise, and leadership.

As we look forward to year two of our Strategic Plan, I am filled with optimism and purpose. Let us continue to pursue excellence in academic medicine. Together, we are shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all Canadians.

Onward!

Connie