Dianne Mathieu (BScN 1974) grew up in Leaside/East York area and has always felt a close connection to the east-end of Toronto. Though she spent much of her long career as a registered nurse, and later as a nurse educator in the downtown core, she chose to settle in the Scarborough region and has strong ties to the community she now calls home.
Cultivating the role of Nurse Practitioners is key
As an alumna of Bloomberg Nursing, Mathieu is thrilled that the Faculty is expanding it’s Master of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner program and Post-master’s Nurse Practitioner program to the Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) in 2026. Through this expansion, she feels that Bloomberg Nursing will bring many of its strengths in nursing education to the region, including an interdisciplinary focus.
“To continue to thrive as a health care system I think that interdisciplinary focus needs to be at the forefront of care and this new opportunity to cultivate the NP program in Scarborough will be a way to do that,” says Mathieu.
The 30 nurse practitioner students who will make up the SAMIH cohort will complete their clinical placements within the Scarborough region and eastern GTA. There will also be opportunities for students to provide care under the supervision of NPs at a clinic located within SAMIH. The hope, is that more NP’s trained in Scarborough will remain in the community to continue providing care after graduation.
As a community member and recipient of care from the Scarborough Health Network, Mathieu says that cultivating the nurse practitioner role is a necessity, especially with a shortage of family doctors in a high-needs area such as Scarborough.
“I have taught at the Scarborough Health Network as part of my volunteer work with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, and I feel that when you are dealing with communities that are in need, it becomes more important for people to see themselves reflected in the care they receive,” says Mathieu. “That is what I envision SAMIH will offer to Scarborough, and I am excited that the Faculty of Nursing at U of T is a part of it.”
Bloomberg Nursing continues to lead the way in nursing education
For Mathieu, the Faculty has always been a leader in supporting nurses thrive where they are needed most. She credits her experiences as a graduate of the BScN program with helping her on her career trajectory, and the mentorship she received from the many women in her life, from fellow nurses to faculty members.
“My professors were always so open about helping me reach my goals, including when I wanted new experiences, or more challenges,” says Mathieu.
The continued evolution of Bloomberg Nursing keeps Mathieu engaged and connected to her alma mater, as a volunteer and as a mentor to future nurses.
“Seeing the young people coming through, the capacity they have, the equipment and simulation opportunities available to them, it is amazing to me and I want to see the Faculty continue to be a leader in nursing,” says Mathieu.
Learn more about how you can support nursing education at Bloomberg Nursing through the Educating Nursing’s Future Fund.