Lakeridge Health launches clinical teaching unit at Oshawa Hospital

Lakeridge Health announced on Sept. 11, 2025, that it has launched a clinical teaching unit at Oshawa Hospital co-taught by family physicians and internists, with third-year medical students from the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program beginning rotations this fall, according to the organization.

Lakeridge Health said the unit is tied to partnerships with Queen’s University, including the Queen’s–Bowmanville–Oshawa–Lakeridge (QBOL) initiative, and is intended to expand team-based medical training in Durham Region. The organization projects supporting more than 80 medical learners annually by 2026, rising to more than 130 in later years; if half remain to practice locally, more than 82,000 additional people in Durham Region could gain access to primary care, according to its estimate.

Unlike traditional one-on-one preceptor models, the unit uses a coordinated, team-based learning environment where medical students, residents, and other clinicians are taught by both family physicians and internists, Lakeridge Health said.

The team also includes nurse practitioners and physician assistants who will train and work alongside physicians as part of an integrated care model, according to the organization.

Lakeridge Health stated the first cohort of the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program will begin clinical rotations at Oshawa Hospital this fall, spending four weeks in the unit during third year. The organization said it plans to expand the model across additional units and hospital sites over time.

Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff at Lakeridge Health, said the unit strengthens the organization’s partnership with Queen’s University to train family doctors.

Dr. Joel Kennedy, Chief and Medical Director of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, said the model provides hands-on clinical training in the community and shows how family physicians, internists, and other professionals work together.

For patients, Lakeridge Health said they may see more supervised learners involved in their care as part of this team. The organization added that Patient and Family Advisors helped shape the unit’s design and will continue to guide its development.