During curriculum renewal in 1991-1992, the Faculty recognized that much of the undergraduate curriculum would now be delivered in small groups in the teaching hospital. The Faculty therefore established 4 Academies within the teaching hospitals, to provide a supportive social and academic environment in which students and faculty could work. The original Wightman Academy was comprised of the (then) 2 sites of The Toronto Hospital - the Toronto General and Toronto Western sites.

In 1998, as a response to hospital restructuring, the number of Academies was reduced to 3, and with the addition of the Mount Sinai Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital, the new Wightman-Berris Academy was created. This, the largest of the 3 Faculty Academies, serves 90 medical students in each of the four years of undergraduate training, as well as students from other Faculty disciplines of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech Language Pathology.

The Academy consists of sequestered space in each of its 4 sites, containing medical education offices, seminar and examination rooms, computer labs, locker and lounge space, all for the exclusive use of Academy students. It is staffed by a Director, Associates from each of the other Faculty disciplines, a student support and counselling officer, office staff and computer support personnel.

Biography of Dr. K. J. R. Wightman

Biography of Dr. Barnet Berris