U of S College of Medicine names vice-dean

SASKATOON – Highly regarded medical educator and administrator Dr. Kent Stobart, MD, MSc, FRCPC, has been appointed the inaugural vice-dean, education for the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) College of Medicine. The university’s provost approved the appointment for a five-year term, effective Sept. 1, 2015.

“This appointment has been a priority for me since my arrival in Saskatchewan and is the culmination of an extensive search for candidates,” said Dr. Preston Smith, dean of the College of Medicine. “Restructuring our college governance is a key component of the college’s strategic plan, so I am very pleased to have the expertise and experience that Kent will bring to this critical leadership role. The appointment of Dr. Stobart represents a significant milestone for the College of Medicine as we continue to build Saskatchewan’s medical school. This is truly a win for the U of S.”

Dr. Stobart brings an exceptional record of accreditation success. Under his leadership, the undergraduate medical education program at the University of Alberta (U of A) achieved full accreditation status for an eight-year cycle with national accrediting bodies. He is a sought-after medical education expert and has been invited to teach at both Harvard and McMaster universities on multiple occasions. He brings to Saskatchewan extensive experience with longitudinal integrated clinical clerkships and distributed medical education. This intimate knowledge will be of great benefit as the College of Medicine continues to grow medical education opportunities throughout Saskatchewan.

“A sound College of Medicine provides the educational foundation for excellent physicians. For Saskatchewan, this means training medical learners across the province, including in northern, rural and Aboriginal communities,” said Dr. Stobart. “The University of Saskatchewan has the potential to fulfil this mandate. Consequently, my role is to see such success is realized in this province, not only for the people of Saskatchewan, but for the global community as well. Good health care education benefits everyone.”

Dr. Stobart previously served as the provost fellow at the U of A and since 2009 has been the associate dean, undergraduate medical education, in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Stobart earned his MD from the University of Toronto in 1984 and went on to pursue postgraduate medical training at the University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia and Queen’s University. Dr. Stobart is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist and will provide clinical service through a cross-appointment with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Dr. Stobart will replace Dr. Gill White, who has served as acting vice-dean, education since July 2012. Recruitment for the vice-dean, research in the College of Medicine is progressing as expected, with an announcement pending before the end of 2015.