Moez Kassam and his wife Marissa have pledged $5 million to Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) new School of Medicine. This transformative investment—the largest donation to the institution to date—reveals the Kassam family’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and reshaping the future of health care in underserved communities.
The gift, made through the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund, will help recruit and support equity-deserving students, fund scholarships, and contribute to the creation of TMU’s state-of-the-art facility at the former Bramalea Civic Centre in Brampton. Scheduled to open in 2025, the school will be the first new medical institution in the Greater Toronto Area in a century.
The Kassam Foundation’s philanthropic focus aligns with TMU’s mission to create a medical school that prioritizes equity and innovation in health care. Their $5 million contribution will launch the Moez & Marissa Kassam Excellence through Equity Scholarships, the first comprehensive financial aid program at the school.
“We believe that investing in equity generates outsized returns for society,” said Moez Kassam, co-founder of Anson Funds. “By supporting the education of future physicians from underrepresented communities, we are building a more just and equitable healthcare system for all Canadians.”
“True progress comes from empowering individuals and communities,” said Marissa Kassam. “By removing financial barriers to medical education, we are investing in the diverse talent that will shape the future of health care.”
The scholarships, offering $30,000 annually to selected students, are renewable for up to four years, significantly offsetting the MD program’s tuition of $25,604 per year. This financial support aims to ensure that talented students from Indigenous, Black, and other historically underrepresented groups can pursue careers in medicine without financial constraints.
The TMU School of Medicine is set to address critical healthcare gaps in Ontario, particularly in the Peel Region, which faces significant challenges in accessing primary care. Dean Dr. Teresa M. Chan stressed the importance of leveling the playing field for students from underrepresented communities.
“The Kassam family, like TMU, believes in leveling the playing field for excellent students who traditionally face challenges in access to medical education,” said Dr. Chan. “The Moez & Marissa Kassam Excellence through Equity Scholarship program will cover full tuition for students demonstrating academic excellence and from communities underrepresented in the medical profession.”
TMU has emphasized that its admissions strategy will purposefully prioritize equity while maintaining rigorous academic standards. University President Mohamed Lachemi reinforced this, stating, “Thank you to the Kassam family for their vision, generosity, and commitment. Their investment champions a new approach to medical education, grounded in excellence, inclusion, and innovation, and addressing the changing needs for healthcare delivery and practice.”
The Kassam family’s generosity will be commemorated with the naming of the Moez & Marissa Kassam Atrium, a central gathering space in TMU’s Brampton facility. This vibrant, light-filled hub will symbolize the values of equity, transparency, and accessibility in medical education.
For Moez Kassam, the path to this historic contribution was shaped by a commitment to addressing systemic inequalities. Through the Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund, the couple has supported numerous initiatives aimed at tackling inequality and fostering inclusion.
“By supporting the education of future physicians from underrepresented communities, we are building a more just and equitable healthcare system for all Canadians,” said Kassam.
The investment also highlights TMU’s effort to reshape medical education to better serve underserved areas, particularly through training physicians to practice in communities like Peel Region.
As TMU prepares to welcome its first cohort of 94 students, the school is poised to become a cornerstone of healthcare innovation in Ontario. Applications have already drawn widespread interest, with more than 5,000 anticipated.
The Kassams’ $5 million gift is not only a financial contribution but a call to action for other institutions and philanthropists to prioritize equity in their efforts to address Canada’s healthcare challenges.
With the doors to TMU’s School of Medicine opening in 2025, the Kassams’ gift ensures that this new institution will lead the charge in redefining what a medical education—and health care—can and should be in Canada.
