Introducing Dr. Nazia Sharfuddin, Quality and Patient Safety Theme Lead

Dr. Nazia Sharfuddin is a general internist with leadership roles in quality improvement (QI)  and medical education. She is the Physician Lead of Quality Improvement at Trillium Health Partners and the University of Toronto MD Program Theme Lead of Quality & Patient Safety. Additionally, she chairs the Quality Improvement Experiential Student Training (QuEST) Program and previously held the position of Undergraduate Medicine Education Lead for Credit Valley Hospital.

Dr. Sharfuddin earned a Master's in Healthcare Quality & Safety from Harvard Medical School,  where she also completed a postgraduate certification in Safety, Quality, Informatics, and Leadership. Her medical training includes an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Calgary and a General Internal Medicine sub-specialty residency at the University of Alberta, where she served as Chief Resident.

Recognized with multiple awards in medical education, clinical teaching, and QI, Dr. Sharfuddin has been a keynote speaker at McMaster University’s QI Retreat, North York General’s Patient Safety Week, and the upcoming McGill Symposium on Quality.

How did you discover your interest in healthcare quality & safety?

My interest started early—before I even knew "quality and safety" was a field. I was drawn to understanding what drives patient experience, access, and outcomes. In residency at the University of Calgary, I worked with a mentor focused on improving care for structurally marginalized patients. Together, we developed a QI project to improve access to specialist care. That experience opened my eyes to the power of structured improvement methods in driving meaningful change. I went on to complete self-directed courses through Alberta Health Services, a physician-focused course at the University of Alberta, and ultimately a yearlong certificate followed by a Master’s in Healthcare Quality & Safety at Harvard Medical School.

What excites you about the Quality and Patient Safety Theme Lead role?

This role gives me the chance to introduce QI and safety early in medical education. I didn’t discover the field until residency, so it’s incredibly rewarding to give students that exposure from day one.

Modern healthcare is increasingly complex. Embedding a quality and safety mindset early on helps future physicians navigate this complexity with thoughtfulness, systems thinking, and collaboration. It’s about building a culture where improvement is second nature.

Can you share a little about the QuEST Program? Who might this program appeal to and why should they get involved?

The QuEST Program—Quality Improvement Experiential Student Training—is the first of its kind in Canada. It offers a hands-on, co-curricular experience where MD students are matched to real-world QI projects at Trillium Health Partners and contribute to them over the course of an academic year.

Students receive structured coaching, attend monthly seminars, and complete targeted learning modules. By the end of the program, they not only gain practical QI experience but also develop skills in academic writing and scholarship. Many complete capstone projects and go on to publish or present their work. Over 100 students have participated in the program to date.

Another piece that makes QuEST unique is its student-driven foundation. It was initiated by MD students who identified a gap in hands-on QI training. Today, the program is led by a student-faculty dyad chair and a team of student leads who help guide its ongoing development. That spirit of collaboration and shared ownership remains central to how the program runs.

QuEST is open to all MD students across academies. No prior QI experience is required—just curiosity, commitment, and a drive to improve care.

Are there any other resources you recommend for students with a strong interest in healthcare quality & safety?

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is a great place to begin. U of T students can access many of their online modules for free, including a basic certification in quality and safety.

The Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS) based here in Toronto also offers a range of opportunities—from introductory workshops to immersive fellowships.

For those seeking more formal education, master’s programs in QI and patient safety are available at the University of Toronto, Queen’s University, and internationally at Harvard.

Thinking back to your own time in medical school, is there a piece of advice you would like to share with current MD students?

Keep an open mind. Don’t box yourself into a defined path too early. I discovered my passion for QI in residency because I left space to explore different interests.

Some of my most meaningful work has come from combining areas that aren’t traditionally linked—like applying QI methods to advance health equity. That kind of cross-pollination can help you discover your own niche.

My advice? Draw your own Venn diagram. Follow the overlap of your interests. That’s often where the most meaningful work—and your unique path—begins.