Trudy McFarlane
Interim Associate Dean, Black Flourishing in Medicine & Healthcare
Department: School of Medicine
Email: trudy.mcfarlane@torontomu.ca
Discipline: Medicine
Areas of Expertise:
Black Flourisihing in Medicine & Healthcare
Research Interests
Health Equity; Leadership & Change Management; Mental Health & Well-Being; Pathway/Enrichment Programs; Preventive Health; Weight Management; Women鈥檚 Health
Dr. Trudy McFarlane oversees the advancement of the school's commitments to implement an anti-racism approach and combat anti-Black racism.
As a member of the senior leadership team and executive committee, Dr. McFarlane is involved in all facets of the school of medicine, including leadership for a Black Learners admissions stream and the Black Health curriculum. Dr. McFarlane is also developing a long-term strategy and action plan to address anti-Black racism and further the school's efforts to establish and maintain strong relationships with Black communities and relevant Black-focused organizations.
Dr. McFarlane is a family physician, general practitioner, psychotherapist, and medical consultant. She completed her family medicine residency at Dalhousie University, where she served as an assistant professor with the Faculty of Medicine and as a mentor for Black medical students through the Sophia B. Jones Mentorship Program.
Passionate about advocacy, mentorship, diverse representation in leadership, and health equity for racialized communities, Dr. McFarlane hopes to implement changes in medical education and health care that improve outcomes for racialized communities.
A co-medical lead with Peel Public Health's Black, African, Caribbean Communities Action-Planning and Strategy Committees. Dr. McFarlane also serves as a representative of the Black Physicians of Canada, as a co-chair of the Black Physicians of Nova Scotia and a member of the Black Physicians Association of Ontario. She previously served as a physician lead for VaxFacts for Black communities and has contributed to recommendations and guidelines for equitable primary care.
- 麻豆视频 鈥� recognizing contributions to equity, inclusion, and Black flourishing in medical education.
- 鈥� recognizing excellence in medical education, mentorship, and fostering inclusive learning environments for future physicians, particularly Black learners and those underrepresented in medicine.
Scholarly Calling
I am guided by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, 鈥淚 am because we are,鈥� and the belief that flourishing is about more than individual potential. It is about the environments, relationships, and systems that allow us to thrive together.
As a physician, educator, and academic leader, I focus on advancing Black health, challenging systemic barriers, and reimagining belonging, opportunity, and excellence in medicine. I am passionate about creating pathways for Black learners and physicians while transforming the environments they enter.
To emerging Black scholars: You are entering spaces of knowledge and influence; you have the ability to redefine them. Your perspectives matter, your contributions are needed, and your flourishing creates possibilities for others.
Representation opens doors; however, true flourishing requires us to reimagine what happens beyond those doors. Black flourishing must be intentional. My commitment is to cultivate conditions where individuals, communities, and systems can flourish.
Related Content
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Selected Media & Activities
Dr. Trudy McFarlane was recognized as the Recipient of the 2025 BPAO Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to medical education, mentorship, and fostering inclusive learning environments that empower the next generation of physicians, particularly Black learners and those underrepresented in medicine.