When Sam Neumark (TRP Class of 2023) walks into a lecture hall or hospital ward, he carries more than the typical toolkit of a third-year medical student. He also brings the mindset of a translational researcher - an approach he credits with shaping the way he learns, problem-solves, and connects with patients.
“I’ve always known I wanted to work in healthcare,” Neumark says. “I love science, I love biology, and I love developing relationships with people. Medicine brings all of those things together - plus the joy of lifelong learning.”
That clarity didn’t come overnight. During his undergraduate studies in health sciences at McMaster University, Neumark worked as a support worker for older adults with developmental disabilities. It was demanding work - especially during the pandemic, when staff often became the sole providers of both care and companionship - but it left a lasting impression. “It was the first time going to work brought me so much joy and I knew this was the type of career I wanted to stay in for the rest of my life,” he recalls.
When he decided to pursue a career in medicine, Neumark began looking for ways to strengthen his skills and expand his understanding of healthcare. That search led him to the University of Toronto’s Translational Research Program (TRP).
“What drew me in was the variety,” he says. “It wasn’t just research or just coursework - it was a mix, with the flexibility to tailor projects to my own interests.” Initially drawn to virtual care and telemedicine, he ultimately completed his capstone project in pharmacogenomics and health system implementation. “It was amazing to have that journey.”
For Neumark, the TRP became more than a stepping stone to medical school - it reshaped how he thinks about healthcare. “It exposed me to the broader ecosystem. I saw how government policy, allied health, research, and innovation all connect to day-to-day clinical operations. It reinforced my desire to be in medicine but also gave me the tools to approach it differently,” he explains.
Two lessons from the program have stood out. The first: learning to work with people from diverse professional backgrounds. Group projects often included clinicians, industry leaders, and recent graduates, each bringing different perspectives. “In medicine, teamwork is everywhere. Learning to communicate, resolve conflicts, and learn together has been invaluable.”
The second: becoming comfortable with uncertainty. TRP assignments and projects often lacked a clear endpoint, forcing students to define goals, seek out expertise, and adapt to challenges. “In medicine, the path can be unclear so being able to navigate that ambiguity is essential.”
That mindset has already shaped his approach to medical school. In a pass/fail environment, he focuses more on integrating knowledge into his future practice. “The TRP helped me reframe my learning,” he says. “While studying for exams, I ask, ‘How will this new knowledge help me become a better physician? How will it help me improve my patient care?’”
The program also deepened his interest in health innovation. Today, he’s part of a medical school prototype club applying design thinking to challenges ranging from clinic layouts to emergency department flows. “Design thinking teaches you to identify unmet needs, frame problems from multiple perspectives, and iterate solutions. It’s a process I’ll carry through my career.”
Looking back, Neumark says the TRP gave him more than a portfolio of projects, it gave him a way of seeing the healthcare system. “Patients might present with one problem, but the real issue may be a social determinant of health or a systemic barrier. The TRP taught me to dig deeper, to challenge surface-level problems, and to involve the end user in designing solutions.”
Now immersed in medical school, Neumark sees his graduate training paying off in subtle but significant ways. Whether he’s shadowing on the wards, collaborating with peers, or engaging in research, he draws on the habits he developed at TRP: curiosity, collaboration, and a relentless focus on outcomes that matter.
“It’s an amazing feeling to finally be studying medicine. I worked hard for this, and I’m enjoying living in the moment. But I also know the TRP has given me tools I’ll be using for the rest of my career. It’s helped me see the bigger picture - and that will make me a better physician.”
