Chair’s Column May 2025: On Community
Dear Colleagues,
In nearly all professional settings, a sense of community is one of the strongest predictors of job satisfaction. Studies of academic physicians from Canada and other countries have found that social supports and a sense of collegiality at work are associated with lower rates of burnout and emotional exhaustion, as well as higher physician engagement and motivation.
Most of us feel a strong sense of community at our base hospital sites. I’ve worked at Toronto General Hospital for over 20 years, with occasional stints at Toronto Western and Mount Sinai Hospitals, and I feel highly connected to my colleagues, including fellow faculty, trainees, and other members of the hospital workforce. This sense of connection is strengthened by frequent in-person interactions in clinical and office spaces, as well as a shared sense of purpose in our clinical and educational activities.
However, for many faculty, the connection with the university Department of Medicine can sometimes feel more distant. Yet our university affiliation offers distinct opportunities for professional fulfillment. It connects us to a city-wide network with a shared institutional identity, supports a mission of excellence in teaching, research and clinical care at one of the top-ranked universities in the world, and facilitates participation in meaningful multisite research, mentorship, teaching and faculty development activities.
How can we build on this to foster a deeper sense of community across our entire department? The literature suggests that interacting with peers, through both formal and informal events, is particularly beneficial. Recall the joy many of us felt upon returning to in-person gatherings after the pandemic, and how meaningful it was to reconnect with colleagues after a prolonged separation. A sense of belonging is also facilitated by the ability to shape the vision and values of the institution.
With this in mind, our biennial Department of Medicine Faculty Survey–launching next month–will seek your input on key departmental issues. We are in the early stages of departmental strategic planning, so there will be additional opportunities for input on our future activities and priorities. I also welcome feedback and ideas through our anonymous portal, by email or chat, or through one-on-one or small group meetings (self-booking calendar link available here).
Finally, recognizing milestones and achievements not only honours individuals but also reinforces a shared sense of pride, joy and purpose within our academic community. The upcoming Department of Medicine Annual Day will be one such event, so please consider attending to enjoy time with your excellent colleagues, celebrate our collective achievements, and hopefully, enhance your personal wellbeing (register here)!
Dr. Moira Kapral
Sir John and Lady Eaton Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto