Twenty-one Branksome Hall students recently traded in their kilts for surgical scrubs at St. Michael’s Hospital as they explored a bold new pipeline for future medical leaders, providing them an unprecedented look at the grit, skill and leadership required to thrive in the operating room and beyond.

Thanks to the visionary leadership of Branksome parents Dr. Subodh Verma and Sandra Verma, the inaugural program is a partnership between Branksome Hall and St. Michael’s Hospital entitled “Women in Scrubs: Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Surgery, Medicine, Healthcare, Leadership and Beyond.”

Held from April 9 to 11, 2026, a group of students in Grades 10–12, many of whom are aspiring medical professionals, were offered an immersive, hands-on exploration of the medical world through this groundbreaking three-day program, giving them a front-row seat to the future of healthcare.

Highlights of the Women in Scrubs program were featured on Global News by reporter Katherine Ward, who was on site to capture the students’ experience firsthand.   

A Masterclass in Mentorship

An exciting example of innovation in action at Branksome Hall, the initiative moves beyond the traditional classroom to provide authentic, real-world professional mentorship. Thanks to the vision and partnership of Branksome parents Dr. Subodh Verma, a cardiovascular surgeon, and Sandra Verma, a nurse, the program kicked off with an inspiring speaker series featuring prominent female physician leaders. Students gained insights from urologic surgeon-investigator and entrepreneur Dr. Monica Farcas, surgical oncologist Dr. Anna Dare, and Dr. Natalie Wong, Physician-in-Chief for the Department of Medicine. To provide a "day in the life" perspective, cardiac surgery resident Dr. Malak Elbatarny shared the realities of surgical training.

For Branksome program lead Heather Friesen, Head, Academics and Professional Learning, the “Women in Scrubs program was a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience with various fields within surgery. Dr Verma put together a slate of inspiring women leaders for the students to interact with, and I was impressed by the depth of the students' questions and how open the speakers were to engaging with them.” Observing the students receiving hands-on instruction directly from the people who do the work in the hospital, Friesen feels certain the school has “several young surgeons in development,” as inspiring young women to explore their curiosity about medicine, specifically surgery and medical research, is the aim of the program. “We are so grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Verma, the speakers and physicians of St. Michael's Hospital and the staff of the Li Ka Shing Simulation Centre for partnering with us to create this unique opportunity,” notes Friesen. 

Innovation in the Lab and the OR

On Friday, the focus shifted to clinical immersion. After presentations from Dr. Siddhi Mathur (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) and Dr. Molly Zirkle (Otolaryngology), students toured operating rooms and emergency trauma facilities, seeing the heartbeat of a major urban hospital firsthand.

The afternoon at the Li Ka Shing Simulation Centre highlighted Branksome’s commitment to technology-enabled learning. Dr. Patricia Houston, Vice-Dean of Medical Education at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, delivered an inspiring keynote address where she challenged students to see education, research and patient care as equal pillars, noting that in modern medicine, "everyone is both a learner and a teacher." Dr. Houston emphasized that innovation isn't just about tools—it’s about the evolution of leadership, including the "courage" to speak up for patient safety and the necessity of advancing others.

Students then moved into active simulations, practising essential airway skills, CPR and AED techniques, and were quick to observe the presence of lifelike female-presenting mannequins in the Simulation Centre. For Gabriela Daminelli Borges, Branksome’s Senior & Middle School Lab Technician, the impact was profound: “Creating a space to empower young girls who aspire to become surgeons is incredibly important, and this program did a beautiful job of making that goal feel both real and attainable. At the same time, it also opened the door to a broader vision of women in medicine. Beyond surgery, the program sparked interest in anesthesiology, trauma and emergency medicine, nursing and leadership within healthcare, showing that there are many impactful paths to explore.”

Practising the Future of Medicine

The final day saw students return to the simulation centre for intensive surgical skills mentorship. In a mock operating room environment, students participated in a "Stop the Bleed" course, laparoscopic trainer suturing, and even a chest-opening simulation. 

“This was a one-of-a-kind experience that truly helped me understand what a future career in medicine is like,” says Grade 10 Nikita. “I had the opportunity to learn from experts in different fields, from anesthesiology to the ICU, gaining hands-on insight and hearing firsthand experiences from highly skilled doctors. We also got to try different simulations, including an operating room simulator that helped translate concepts into what a future career as a doctor could be like. This opportunity truly makes Branksome Hall unique and helps me decide what career path is best for my future.”

By merging high-fidelity medical technology with world-class mentorship, this program does more than just teach clinical skills—it exemplifies Branksome’s commitment to innovation in its truest form. With the International Baccalaureate framework as a launchpad, the inaugural Women in Scrubs program was a clear success, ensuring our students move beyond the theoretical to become the visionary healthcare leaders of tomorrow.