PROCEDURE CHANGE: International Travel for Physician Assistant Trainees

This message is sent on behalf of Dr. Leslie Nickell to all members of the Physician Assistant Program. 

March 5, 2020 

 

Dear PA Students and Faculty:   

With the increasing number of countries affected by COVID-19, the PA program, in alignment with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, is adopting a number of procedural changes, some of which may impact our PA students and faculty. 

For any PA student planning to leave Canada for any kind of travel, professional or personal (ie: March break), you must inform the PA program of your intent to travel ASAP, prior to departure, to enable us to determine appropriate steps upon your return. If you are currently out of the country, you must contact the PA program immediately upon your return. 

First year students notify Dr. Sharon Naymark, Sharon.naymark@utoronto.ca  

Second year students notify Dr. Peter Tzakas, peter.tzakas@utoronto.ca   

Given that global information regarding COVID-19 is changing rapidly, students who have travelled outside Canada may be quarantined and unable to participate in their clinical rotations or LCE’s for 14 days, which could lead to lost educational time that must be made up at a future date. For any students who are quarantined, they will be expected to continue full participation in regularly scheduled on-line learning activities.  

Please consider the impact of non-essential travel outside of Canada. During this time of heightened concern, the PA program will do its utmost to support our students and continue educational programs as best as possible while fulfilling our obligation to maintain wise practice in public health and safety.   

For questions, please contact

Year One:  Dr. Sharon Naymark, Sharon.naymark@utoronto.ca 

Year Two:  Dr. Peter Tzakas, peter.tzakas@utoronto.ca   

For further resources:
Government of Canada Travel Advice (COVID-19)
Ontario Ministry of Health
Peel Public Health Public Health
Ontario Public Health Agency of Canada
World Health Organization


Leslie Nickell, MSW, MD, CCFP 
Medical Director, BScPA 
Faculty of Medicine 
University of Toronto