The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine

Alumni Profile: Tara Kiran on the power of the patient voice in primary care reform Over the last decade, Temerty Medicine MD alumna Tara Kiran has examined how changes in policy, payment and practice shape access, equity, and quality in primary care. She discusses her journey from clinician to researcher to champion of primary care renewal, and the power of the patient’s voice i...

Yesterday, the DFCM unveiled new murals, created by Indigenous artist Shawn Howe. See the before-and-after photos, and read about the meaning behind each.

Thank you, Shawn, and their mural assistants: Anna Jacobs, Andrea Manica, Shannon Howe, Shayla Howe Colarossi, Emilia Fazilova.

See more of Shawn's work: https://www.instagram.com/shawnhowe_/?hl=en

📸 3: In my culture, the wolf symbolizes leadership, initiative, integrity and humility. The wolf’s role is often seen as the protector of family and community, much like the work that is done here. Placing the wolf in the front was a statement and commitment to show people that this is an Indigenous-supportive space and all are welcome. The wolf’s integrity is bound in truth, and so it teaches us to walk our walk, and follow through with our words so they line up with our actions. To have integrity is to stand up, be brave, speak up for the truth and advocate for better for all. Placing the wolf in the front was intentional to ensure the space honours that commitment to Indigenous health care and traditional ways of healing and wellness within Western medicine. But most importantly, the wolf asks us to be humble, to know that it’s OK not to know everything and to trust openly as we are always guided in a good way.

📸 5: A raven's journey is not always easy; they bring the truth and knowledge, and with truth and knowledge come responsibilities. To ground the raven on its path, I surrounded it in medicines, to help it remember who it is, where it comes from and how to use its gifts. To be a changemaker in community is hard work, so this piece honours the people who use medicines—maybe a mix of both Western and traditional—and all helpers who work in health care. The raven teaches us about self-love too: how to honour ourselves, check in with what we need and ask ourselves, “What is my truth, what do I need, and how do I get there?”

📸 7: This scenic nature setting is a tribute to our ceremonies, our clans, and the ancestral knowledge that is gifted to us from the spirit world and animals. The crane symbolizes this profound role in our clan system. Many of the clans look to the crane for wisdom and leadership. They work with others and teach us about communication and how to use our voice in a good way. They are fierce and strong. They are the ones we look up to and guide us toward community change.

📸 9: The loon was chosen for its ability to help us honour our intuition, help us get to our full potential and follow our dreams in life. The loon is surrounded by the four sacred medicines: sweetgrass, cedar, sage and to***co leaf. These medicines root the loon into purpose and softness within. Because they can swim and dive underneath water, they teach us about possibilities and nuance, helping us see in complex ways that can shape our understanding and learning of the world. They lead us in how we work within the community and show us how to work through hardship with each other in good ways. They are the ones who teach us about peace.

Thank you to all who attended the new Indigenous Health Space opening at the DFCM today. Please stay tuned for an upcoming story about the event.

🩺Register to become a Patient at OSMH Family Medicine Teaching Unit (FMTU)

1. Visit the Couchiching Ontario Health Team Website
Go to coht.ca/unattached

2. Register Online
Complete the registration form with your personal and health details to join the waitlist for a primary care provider.

3. Wait to Hear Back
Once you’ve submitted the form, the Couchiching OHT team will contact you.

4. Access Care in the Meantime
While you're waiting to be matched with a provider, you can still receive care at the Couchiching Unattached Clinic for any immediate health concerns.



The University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine
McMaster Faculty of Health Sciences Toronto Metropolitan University Queen's University Health Sciences
Ontario Medical Students Association (OMSA) Couchiching Ontario Health Team

👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️Family physicians in Toronto: Make a difference in primary care and fill out our Family Medicine/Primary Care Census. It only takes 5-10 minutes!

In collaboration with EMPOWER Health, we are creating a database that will help shape the future of healthcare in our region by providing crucial data for planning and capacity building.

📣Fill out the census now and be entered into a draw to win one of ten $100 Visa gift cards. Learn more: https://www.primarycarecensus.ca/en/static/OH-Toronto-Region-Census

Celebrating the incredible women at DFCM who are making a lasting impact in primary care. Their commitment, expertise and compassion are essential in shaping healthier communities. Your dedication to patient care is truly inspiring—thank you for all that you do! 🙌💙

Want to learn more about some of our inspiring female leaders at DFCM? Read about them here: https://ow.ly/Fgm350VcClo

📣DFCM and Empower Health have just launched the Family Medicine/Primary Care Census📣

This important tool will help support primary care work force planning. We encourage you to spend 5-10 minutes and take part in the Family Medicine/Primary Care Census.

If you’re a family doctor or nurse practitioner working in Toronto, help us shape the future of primary care.

Join the conversation: www.primarycarecensus.ca