April 15, 2026, BRAMPTON/ETOBICOKE, ON – William Osler Health System (Osler) and Humber Polytechnic (Humber) have signed and launched an Academic Practice Partnership (APP), representing an important milestone in preparing the next generation of laboratory professionals. Unique to this partnership is the collaboration with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). The APP brings together Humber’s academic expertise, Osler’s clinical and simulation environments, and BD’s global leadership in medical technology to expand experiential learning, simulation-based education, research, and clinical innovation. By embedding evidence-based practice into both training and clinical decision-making, the APP will help ensure learners graduate with the practical skills and critical thinking needed in today’s complex health care environment.
Key priorities of the partnership include:
- Co-designing curriculum aligned with real clinical needs
- Expanding simulation and teaching labs
- Developing micro-credentials and structured pathways to support clinical placements
- Strengthening preceptor education and mentorship
- Creating clearer training-to-employment pathways aligned with workforce needs
The partnership includes the establishment of a “living lab” environment where Medical Laboratory Assistant and Medical Laboratory Technology students, educators, clinicians and industry experts can learn together and test new ideas in real-world clinical environments.
This APP will also support a shared research and innovation agenda focused on quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven outcomes. Through joint evaluation, research pathways and innovation initiatives, the partnership will help to advance best practices in laboratory medicine and vascular access education and workforce development. This milestone follows months of coordinated planning across the three organizations to establish a shared vision, including developing governance, co-designing curriculum, and expanding simulation-based learning environments.
Quotes:
“At Osler, we know that exceptional people-centred care starts with evidence-informed programs that include experiential learning,” said Dr. Frank Martino, President and CEO, William Osler Health System. “This Academic Practice Partnership strengthens the connection between classroom and clinical care, supports our health care teams, and builds a sustainable health care workforce pipeline for the communities we serve.”
“This first-of-its-kind model represents what is possible when leaders in education, health care and medical technology work together to advance productivity and provide best-in-class opportunities for students,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic. “Health human resources are critical to our province’s ability to thrive, and this partnership allows us to support today’s health care teams while preparing the health care leaders of tomorrow.”
“This partnership shows what’s possible when academia, health care and industry work together with a shared goal,” said Ivy Parks, President of BD-Canada. “By bringing Humber’s academic strength, Osler’s real-world clinical training environment and BD’s medical technology expertise together, we can help learners build the practical skills today’s workforce needs. We are proud to support this collaboration and help prepare the next generation of medical professionals.”
ABOUT HUMBER POLYTECHNIC: As Canada’s largest and most comprehensive polytechnic, Humber builds what has yet to be imagined. With credentials from short-cycle diplomas to baccalaureate and master’s degrees, polytechnics are designed for speed, for relevance, and for impact. Humber can adapt quickly, respond directly to industry needs, and convert knowledge into tangible outcomes for learners, employers, and partners. This combination of program relevance and applied research drives meaningful change in local and global communities. We empower our students to discover their edge and reach their full potential, Building Brilliance every day. Visit humber.ca to learn more.
ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM and FOUNDATION: William Osler Health System (Osler) is a leading hospital system serving more than 1.3 million people in Brampton, North Etobicoke, Caledon and surrounding communities – one of the most culturally diverse, fastest growing areas in Ontario. Accredited with Exemplary Standing, Accreditation Canada’s highest rating for a Canadian hospital, Osler includes Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital, Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness (Peel Memorial), a Reactivation Care Unit and a Withdrawal Management Centre. Building on a legacy of clinical excellence and innovation and home to the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation, Osler is planning for the future with transformative developments, including the new Peel Memorial Hospital and as the primary clinical partner for Toronto Metropolitan University's new School of Medicine in Brampton. William Osler Health System Foundation seeks to create a healthier community through giving by inspiring its communities to invest in exceptional health care close to home. Learn more about how Osler is going beyond to deliver on its Vision of world-class health care inspired by its people and communities at www.williamoslerhs.ca.
ABOUT BD: BD is one of the world’s largest pure-play medical technology companies with a Purpose of advancing the world of health™ by driving innovation across medical essentials, connected care, biopharma systems and interventional. The company supports those on the frontlines of healthcare by developing transformative technologies, services and solutions that optimize clinical operations and improve care for patients. Operating across the globe, with more than 60,000 employees, BD delivers billions of products annually that have a positive impact on global healthcare. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase clinical efficiency, improve safety and expand access to healthcare. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X @BDandCo or Instagram @becton_dickinson.