U of T MD 50th Reunion: Reflecting on the Past and Ushering in the Future of Medicine
A warm and sunny late-May day greeted members of the University of Toronto’s MD Class of 1973 (7T3) as they gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from medical school at a celebratory luncheon hosted by the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
It was a rare opportunity for old friends and colleagues to reconnect, and for Temerty Medicine to recognize the alumni’s collective achievements and accomplishments during the past 50 years.
Trevor Young, the Faculty’s Dean and U of T’s Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions, expressed his gratitude to the many who were able to attend the celebration and praised the class for their enduring connection to the University.
“We are so grateful to you, not only for all you have done throughout your long and varied careers, but also for maintaining such strong ties to one another and to U of T,” he said. “Your presence here alone today is a testament to your ongoing engagement in your work and connection with your alma mater and your fellow classmates.”
Class representative Bob Hyland (MD ’73, PGME Medicine ’77, ’78) echoed those sentiments in his address to the class while also sharing some fond memories and anecdotes from their time together as medical students.
“What a lucky generation we have been,” said Hyland. “I looked forward to coming to work every day. I hope you did too.”
Hyland had also spoken earlier that morning at the class of 2023 (2T3) pre-convocation celebration honouring the most recent cohort of graduates from U of T’s MD Program. His primary message to the new alumni was: “Be humble, be kind and be a good listener.” Hyland also cautioned that while they’ve already faced unprecedented changes in health care — the class of 2023 was the first to graduate with all four years of their study affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — there would inevitably be many more to come.
He also celebrated the fact that while there were few women and members of racialized groups in his class, 75% of 2T3 graduates are women and more than half identify as racialized.
Diversity and the COVID-19 pandemic were among the many aspects of med school life touched on by Harsukh Benipal, a third-year MD student who spoke at the luncheon about her perspective on studying medicine in today’s world.
The first in her family to pursue an MD, she shared her motivations for applying to med school and the challenges she faced navigating the MD education system.
“As a first-generation medical student, my journey has been a unique and transformative one, always supported by MD alumni, staff, and fellow colleagues,” she said. “It has also given me a unique perspective and a strong desire to make a positive impact on underserved communities. I understand firsthand the barriers and disparities that exist in accessing quality healthcare.”
Other presentations at the 7T3 luncheon included welcome remarks from Cody Copeman Hubert, Temerty Medicine’s Director, Alumni Relations and Special Events; a memorial tribute led by Shery Zener (MD ’73) recognizing class members who are no longer with us; and thanks offered by reunion organizer Helen Batty (MD ’73), who had planned additional activities and professional development sessions for the classmates.
After lunch, alumni gathered for a group photo and continued swapping stories and sharing a few laughs.
Eileen Lougheed (MD ’73) had come prepared with a printed photo of her family to show off. Of her six children, four pursued careers in medicine (the other two are lawyers). These include Maranatha, an OBGYN who tragically died five years ago only two days after giving birth due to a brain bleed; Taylor, an emergency medicine and sports medicine specialist; Daryl, a primary care physician; and Justan, just this year graduating from U of T psychiatry.
Lougheed herself was at times all of these things, as a career family physician who spent time in the ER, helped manage pregnancies and offered psychotherapy to patients.
“They each took after a part of me,” she says, smiling.
Other attendees included Helena Jaczek (MD ’73), who in addition to her 30-plus years as a physician, is also a sitting Member of Parliament representing Markham-Stouffville as well as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Receiver General for Canada.
Notable absentees included Pirjo Manninen (MD ’73) an anesthesiologist who married earlier this year and was on her honeymoon in Finland at the time of the reunion event.
Earlier in the year, in recognition of their 50th anniversary and with support from Temerty Medicine, the class established the U of T MD Class of 7T3 Award which will be awarded annually to an MD student with financial need. So far the class has raised over $25,000 including matched donations from Temerty Medicine, ensuring the award will be endowed and offered annually in perpetuity.
“After hearing from Harsukh, it was so apparent how important it is to remove financial barriers for students who are passionate about helping people but struggle to afford medical school,” says Batty.
The class plans to continue its fundraising efforts over the summer, and hopes they’ll be able to celebrate a new peak amount raised — yet another addition to an already long list of collective accomplishments — at their next reunion.
