MD Alumni Council
The Temerty Faculty of Medicine's MD Alumni Council offers strategic advice and guidance to Temerty Medicine’s Dean and the Office of Advancement around the meaningful engagement of MD alumni and supporting MD students. It also advises on a range of activities as they pertain to MD alumni, including communications, special events, awards and mentorship programs.
To learn more about the council's guiding principles, please refer to its terms of reference.
Council Members
Catherine Zahn, Chair
Dr. Catherine Zahn (MD ’78, PGME Neurology, MHSc ’95) has a 40-year history of contributions to the Ontario health care sector, both as a practicing physician and in progressive leadership roles at the University Health Network. Dr. Zahn became board chair of Ontario Health in March 2024. Prior to this appointment with Ontario Health’s board, she served as Deputy Minister of Health (2021 – 2024) and as president and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2009 – 2021).
Ian Brasg
Dr. Ian Brasg (MD ’14, PGME Internal Medicine, MSc ’23) is an infectious diseases physician and the medical director of infection, prevention, and control (IPAC) at Humber River Health, as well as an active adjunct faculty member with U of T’s Department of Medicine. He was the MD 1T4 class president and continues to stay involved with Temerty Medicine through various volunteer positions and reunion activities.
Christopher Gallimore
Dr. Christopher Gallimore (MD ’00, PGME Orthopaedic Surgery) is an orthopaedic surgeon practicing in Vaughan/Richmond Hill, Ontario. He continues to stay connected to Temerty Medicine in various ways — as an MD student mentor, Dean’s Alumni Awards selection committee member and as a donor to MD student awards. He’s looking forward to having further impact on the MD alumni and student experience through the MD Alumni Council.
Rina Jain
Dr. Rina Jain (MD ’92, PGME Orthopaedic Surgery) started her practice at Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network as a clinical associate. She opened a private practice at Scarborough General Hospital and eventually moved to San Diego in 2002. Currently she is in private practice at Synergy Orthopedic Specialists with a Health Sciences Clinical Instructor appointment at the University of California San Diego, specializing in total joint replacement.
Peeter Poldre
Dr. Peeter Poldre (MD ’78, PGME Internal Medicine), professor emeritus of medicine at U of T, practiced as a clinical hematologist at The Wellesley Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. During his career he held several administrative positions including the inaugural academy director at the Boyd and then the Peters-Boy Academy, and the vice-president of education and medical professional practice at Sunnybrook. He then served on the Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for eight years, including as president in 2019. From 2012 until 2024, he was on the board of the U of T Medical Alumni Association.
Kathy Yip
Dr. Kathy Yip (MD ’80, PGME Nuclear Medicine) began her career on staff at the Department of Radiology at Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and was the program director for the Nuclear Medicine Residency Program at U of T. She was the medical director for KMH Cardiology & Diagnostic Centres for over 30 years and is currently a nuclear medicine consultant.