Simon Fraser University (SFU) has inaugurated its newest medical school in Surrey, British Columbia, welcoming its inaugural class of 48 students. The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine is designed as a three-year, year-round program that emphasizes community-based primary care, aiming to train physicians in critical roles such as family doctors, pediatricians, and psychiatrists. The program will expand gradually, with student cohorts increasing to 120 by 2035. Minister Jennifer Whiteside highlighted the school's significance as Western Canada's first new medical institution in nearly six decades. Students will gain hands-on experience in community clinics, hospitals, and future team-based primary care clinics adjacent to the Surrey campus. The school’s permanent location is expected by 2030, with interim classes starting now. Provincial funding of $41.1 million supports operations, while SFU received over 1,800 applications for its first cohort. Students like Jasper Delichte and Dayton Noga expressed enthusiasm about the program’s focus on accessible healthcare and inclusive admissions processes, including MCAT-free application streams. This initiative aims to strengthen regional healthcare access and address gaps in primary care services.