Groundbreaking partnership between University of Waterloo and St. George’s University streamlines route to medical school and addresses shortage of physicians in Canada
As millions of Canadians live without access to a family doctor, a transformative academic program will address this shortage by offering Canadian students a streamlined path from high school to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.
The partnership between the University of Waterloo and St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada is a Canadian first. Their new 5-Year and 6-Year MD Tracks will allow aspiring physicians to begin their training earlier, moving seamlessly from pre-medical studies into SGU’s School of Medicine.
More than 6 million Canadians lack access to a family physician. A 2022 comparison of 37 OECD countries ranked Canada 27th with three physicians per 1,000 people.
From L to R: Laura Bruno, vice-president, student recruitment at SGU; Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of the School of Medicine at SGU; Dr. Chris Houser, dean of the Faculty of Science at Waterloo; Dr. Laura Deakin, associate dean for teaching and learning, Faculty of Science at Waterloo. (University of Waterloo)
“This partnership is more than an academic offering — it’s a strategic response to a national healthcare challenge,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of the SGU School of Medicine. “By collaborating with the University of Waterloo, we’re providing a new and guaranteed pathway for driven Canadian students to begin medical training earlier, supported every step of the way.”
Program highlights:
“The first of its kind in Canada, this program is a creative solution to help solve our country’s overwhelming need for more doctors and to keep up with population growth,” said Dr. Chris Houser, dean of Waterloo’s Faculty of Science. “With many SGU alumni already practicing in Canada, there is a clear path for graduates of this new program to return home after their studies to provide needed medical care for Canadians.”
SGU has been North America’s largest provider of new doctors for more than a decade, placing an average of 94 per cent of eligible graduates into residencies over the past five years. More than 2,100 Canadian SGU alumni are already making a difference in communities across Canada and worldwide.
The program starts in September 2026. More details and information on applying are available on the SGU website.
About the University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
About St. George's University
St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 31,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council which has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). For more information, visit www.sgu.edu.
