Queen’s Health Sciences joins Community of Support, implements Black Student Recruitment Strategy for MD Program

News & Announcements | 24 Jun 2025

Queen’s Health Sciences (QHS) is adopting a new Black Student Recruitment Strategy for its MD Program to help increase the number of Black students applying to and entering its medical school. As part of this strategy, QHS is joining Temerty Medicine’s Community of Support collaborative based out of the University of Toronto which provides support for undergraduate learners interested in advanced degrees in medicine, rehabilitation therapy, and health sciences research.

With the goal of increasing the diversity of applicants and minimizing systemic barriers to the admissions process, the Black student recruitment strategy in the MD program builds on changes implemented in 2024 to widen the overall applicant pool. Beginning with the 2025 admissions cycle, applicants can self-identify as Black which opens a pathway to access support throughout the application process.

There are no changes in standards or qualifications, and no dedicated seats or quotas for Black applicants. All MD applicants who meet published thresholds for grade point average (GPA), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and Casper (a situational judgment test) scores are entered into the Qualified Applicant Randomization Selection (QARS) to determine who is invited to the multiple mini-interview (MMI) stage. Once applicants reach the panel interview and file review stage, self-identified Black candidates applying through this pathway will be matched with faculty interviewers and file reviewers who have similar backgrounds and lived experience.

Through Community of Support, Black individuals considering applying for the Queen’s MD Program can access one-on-one advising, mentorship, and resources designed to help applicants through each step of the process. The new recruitment strategy is heavily focused on targeted outreach and educational opportunities for Black applicants in the pre-admission phase—before they consider applying for medical school. It also will include mentorship opportunities for MD students after starting medical school.

“The journey to becoming a doctor begins long before applying to medical school, and there should be no limits on who can apply,” says Dr. Peggy DeJong, Assistant Dean, Admissions, MD Program. “By joining Community of Support and implementing these changes, we are taking steps to reduce barriers for Black candidates so they can see themselves at Queen’s.”

This strategy was developed in consultation with partners at Community of Support, Black Physicians of Canada, and Black Physicians of Ontario.

“We have a huge gap in our healthcare system and need more Black physicians in Canada,” says Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, President, Black Physicians of Canada who stressed that Black doctors remain underrepresented in the profession compared to the overall Canadian population. “We are pleased to be engaged with Queen’s as they take steps to address this problem and look forward to working with them.”

Queen’s continues to work towards inclusivity and to account for the school’s historical exclusionary practices which included a ban on admitting Black medical students that was instituted in 1918 and enforced until 1964. In reparation, Queen’s officially revoked the motion from Senate, issued a public apology, and installed a commemorative plinth on campus to inform, educate, and reflect on these past wrongs.

Implementing Community of Support at QHS

The Community of Support (COS) program is a collaborative of eight partner university faculties of health sciences and medicine across Canada. Its mandate is to support prospective students facing systemic barriers as they embark on medical education, health sciences research, and rehabilitation science programs. It offers supports for Black students, and also to individuals who identify as Indigenous, Filipino, Latin American, those who face financial barriers, and/or identify as having a disability or are non-traditional applicants (e.g., mature students).

"We’re committed to standing alongside our partners at Queen’s — together, we’re driving meaningful and lasting change in the communities we serve," says Ike Okafor, Strategic Lead and Founder, Office of Access and Outreach, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

Community of Support's suite of offerings includes admissions counselling and guidance; volunteer, research, and mentorship opportunities; and application support, including interview, MCAT, and Casper preparation.

“The Community of Support program will bring comprehensive resources to the entire QHS learner community particularly those from underrepresented groups,” says Colleen Davison, Associate Dean, Equity and Social Accountability. “We are excited to be joining this collaborative to help build a more inclusive culture and help diversify the healthcare workforce.”

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Queen’s Health Sciences joins Community of Support, implements Black Student Recruitment Strategy for MD Program

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