Culture & Inclusion Faculty Development Session: Five things I wish I knew when starting at U of T DoM as a CQI

Department of Medicine, Culture & Inclusion Faculty Development Sessions 2026-27

Session Overview:

This panel discussion features two Clinical Quality Improvement (CQI) faculty members sharing their personal journeys within the Department of Medicine (DoM) at University of Toronto (U of T). Panelist will share insights and practical strategies on how to successfully navigate the U of T DoM ecosystem—from securing your initial appointment to flourishing in your role and job description.

Objectives: 

• Review key insights and essential knowledge for starting your career as a CQI faculty member in the Dept. of Medicine
• Enhance understanding of QI landscape at the U of T DoM

Who Should Participate: 

• All DoM faculty members are welcome, with a particular focus on early-career faculty and clinical fellows.

Facilitator Bios: 

Dr. Nazia Sharfuddin is a General Internist and physician leader dedicated to advancing healthcare quality and patient safety. She holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Harvard Medical School, bringing expertise in system redesign, patient safety, and quality improvement to multi-site health systems. At Trillium Health Partners, Dr. Sharfuddin serves as Physician Lead of Patient Safety and previously served as Physician Lead of Quality Improvement. Dr. Sharfuddin is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, where she designs and teaches curriculum in healthcare quality and safety. She serves as Theme Lead for Quality, Safety, and Value in the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine MD Program and teaches in the Master’s Program in Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation. She also developed and launched the Quality Improvement Experiential Student Training (QuEST) program that equips medical students and physicians with quality improvement skills. Dr. Sharfuddin’s work has been showcased nationally and internationally, published in peer-reviewed journals, and recognized with institutional and external awards, including the Top 20 Under 40 Award for Health Sciences and the Canadian Medical Association Award for Young Leaders.

Dr. Lisa Hicks is a hematologist at St. Michael’s Hospital with an academic focus in health services research and quality improvement. With a masters in Clinical Epidemiology from U of T, and a Certificate in QI from Veteran's Affairs Clinical Scholars (VAQS) program, she uses traditional clinical epidemiology methods combined with quality improvement techniques to improve the safety, equity and efficiency of patient care. Dr. Hicks has led practice-changing work in overutilization, patient safety and practice guidelines. Dr. Hicks is the co-Chair of the Cancer Care Ontario, Hematology Guideline Site Group, Co-chair of the ASCO Myeloma Guideline Panel, and past chair of the American Society of Hematology Committee on Quality.

Special Guest: Dr. Christine Soong, Vice Chair, Quality and Innovation

Event Details:
Date: October 15, 2026
Time: 1–2pm
Location: Virtual event (Zoom details to be provided upon RSVP)

To secure your spot at the session, please click here to register