Dr. Kathy Lawrence receives the Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award

The University of Saskatchewan's Dr. Kathy Lawrence (BSc, MD, CCFP, FCFP) has been awarded the prestigious Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award for 2024, recognizing her significant contributions to family medicine education. This national accolade, awarded by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), highlights her dedication to training the next generation of family physicians.

In her award acceptance speech, Dr. Lawrence noted, “It is a true privilege to be recognized among such an inspiring group of educators, many of whom I've been able to work with over the last 30 years. I want to thank my colleagues who took the time to nominate me, my family who is at home and puts up with me not being there all the time, my USask family, the section of teachers council for choosing me, FAFM and the individuals and organizations who sustain this award, and all of you who inspire me.”

About Dr. Kathy Lawrence

Dr. Kathy Lawrence, originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, earned her BSc in Biology from the University of Regina in 1992 and went on to earn her medical degree in 1994. Following her medical degree, she began her Family Medicine residency in 1996 at the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina campus. Certified in Family Medicine in 1996, she became a CFPC Fellow in 2007. Throughout her career, she has practiced at the Family Medicine Teaching Unit in Regina. She has been clinical and academic head of Family Medicine since 2016. Dr. Lawrence also served as Postgraduate Director for Family Medicine from 2005 to 2018.

Dr. Lawrence is currently serving as the Provincial Head for the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Family Medicine. Her leadership roles, including being the Chair of the Family Medicine Residency Program, have allowed her to influence the training of physicians who will serve communities across the province and country. Dr. Lawrence is particularly noted for her efforts in rural and remote healthcare, a crucial focus in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system. Her recognition with the Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award brings pride to the University of Saskatchewan and reinforces the importance of family medicine in providing accessible, comprehensive care to the people of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Lawrence has been involved with setting standards for accreditation and assessment for the CFPC since 2000. Her first involvement with the CFPC was with the Section of Residents, where she was Vice Chair. She joined the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s National Executive Committee in 2010, serving in various leadership roles, including Honorary Secretary-Treasurer, President, and Chair of the Board. She was also a Board Member of the Saskatchewan College of Family Physicians (SCFP) from 1998 to 2003 and served as SCFP President from 2005 to 2007.

Dr. Lawrence contributed to creating the Assessment Objectives Framework, Continuous Reflective Assessment for Training (CRAFT), Family Medicine Longitudinal Survey, CanMEDS-2015 and CanMEDS-FM-2017 Medical Expert role, and Residency Training Profile.  Kathy has been a member of the CFPC Program Evaluation Advisory Group, Specialty Committee, and Outcomes of Training Advisory and Scholarship Committees.

Currently, Dr. Lawrence is a member of the Family Medicine Examination, Certification Process and Assessment, Residency Accreditation, and Accreditation Standards Improvement Committees. She is an accreditation survey chair with a focus on core programs. In addition, she chairs the Assessment Objectives sub-committee and Education Reform Taskforce. She also chairs the CFPC’s Postgraduate Education Committee and serves on several key committees, including Examinations, Certification and Assessment, Program Evaluation, Specialty, and Accreditation. Finally, she is also the family medicine representative to the Canadian Residency Accreditation Consortium’s advisory committee.

Reflecting on her journey in family medicine, Dr. Kathy Lawrence expressed the sense of community and purpose she found after attending her first Section of Residents meeting in 1994. "I found a place where I feel welcome and a community to learn from and with," she shared. Dr. Lawrence emphasized her commitment to preparing family physicians for both current and future challenges, and to supporting her colleagues in creating training programs tailored to their communities. She explained, "I feel part of a collective that helps make sense of what is happening around us, both in times of challenge and celebration." Looking to the future, Dr. Lawrence expressed optimism, saying, "I have hope for our collective future, our discipline, our communities, and patients. I believe that together we will grow our profession and meet needs across the country." 

About the Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award

Named after Dr. Ian McWhinney, the award honours excellence in family medicine education and is presented to a teacher of family medicine deemed by their peers to have made a unique and innovative contribution to family medicine education in Canada. Dr. Lawrence’s commitment to teaching, mentorship, and curriculum development at the University of Saskatchewan has earned her this celebrated award.

The Ian McWhinney Family Medicine Education Award was established by the CFPC to honour the legacy of Dr. McWhinney, a pioneer in family medicine whose work redefined the role of family physicians in the healthcare system. The award recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and leadership in family medicine education.

Dr. Kathy Lawrence highlighted the enduring impact of Dr. Ian McWhinney, Canada’s first professor of family medicine, on the field. Reflecting on his contributions, she noted that “Dr. McWhinney was the first professor of family medicine in Canada, and his observations about the practice of family medicine continue to ring true in our work today.” Dr. Lawrence also recounted a pivotal moment from the mid-to-late 1960s, when there was a proposal for Internal Medicine and Pediatrics to assume community-based practice roles. She explained, “The College’s defense of family practice contributed to the development of training programs in collaboration with Faculties of Medicine across the country,” emphasizing the vital role of partnerships between the College and Departments of Family Medicine. This year’s recognition of Dr. Kathy Lawrence highlights the meaningful work happening at the University of Saskatchewan and her lasting impact on family medicine in Canada.

Dr. Kathy Lawrence concluded her acceptance speech with a simple, yet powerful message inspired by a notable speaker from the late 1980s: "Be excellent to each other." These words, she shared, continue to guide her approach to both her work and the community she serves.