AFMC is the academic partnership of Canada’s faculties of medicine. Through our collective leadership and advocacy, we will achieve excellence in education, research and care for the health of all Canadians.
The legacy of AFMC is built on the commitment of our faculties of medicine to serving the needs of Canadians, to leading innovation in medical education and health research.
Through our collective leadership and advocacy, we achieve excellence in education, research, and social accountability for the health of all Canadians.
We collaboratively lead and deliver a highly responsive system of medical education and research aligned with the health needs of all Canadians driven by the highest standards of quality, excellence, and social accountability.
AFMC consulted with the academic medicine community, our committees, networks and working groups to build our 2021-2023 strategic plan. We look forward to advancing this new strategic plan and engaging our entire academic medicine community.
Our values guide and define how we approach our work.
We view collaboration as both a process and outcome that engages different perspectives and involves partnerships between organizations, professions, and individuals.
We work with, and actively listen to our members, communities and partners to shape and develop meaningful solutions to complex challenges and opportunities.
We embrace inclusive and respectful treatment of all people and their differences. We create values from diversity of ideas, culture, and language.
We encourage the creation of new knowledge, strive to continuously improve, and implement change that makes a positive difference.
We are open, honest, ethical, and fair. Building trust-based relationships builds a better AFMC.
Founded in 1943, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) represents Canada’s 17 faculties of medicine and is the voice of academic medicine in this country. Our member faculties graduate over 2,700 MDs per year; teach over 11,500 undergraduate medical students; train over 15,000 postgraduate trainees; employ nearly 48,000 full and part-time faculty members and undertake over 3 billion dollars of biomedical and health care research annually.
AFMC is a registered charity that works to represent and support the mandates of our medical faculties – research, medical education and clinical care. Our advocacy initiatives are tailored to keeping these issues high on the federal government’s agenda and ensure that Canada’s faculties of medicine serve as important resources to decision-makers in this country.
AFMC is governed by the Board of Directors, comprised of the Deans of the 17 Faculties of Medicine and up to 4 public members.
Interim Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
Dean of Medicine, Dalhousie University
Chair of the AFMC Board
Dean, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval
Dean, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke
Dean, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal
Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University
Dean and Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
Dean & Vice-President, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Interim Dean, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean and CEO of NOSM University
Vice-Provost (Health Sciences) and Distinguished Professor, Dean, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Dean, Max Rady College of Medicine
Dean, University of Saskatchewan
Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta
Dean, Cumming School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Medicine, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Vice-President, Health, University of British Columbia
Anne McFarlane is a retired civil servant and former Vice-President with the Canadian Institute for Health Information. She sits on the Boards of the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Canadian Blood Services. Anne has previously been a Board Member of Providence Healthcare in Vancouver and the Michael Smith Foundation.
Brent Norton is an accomplished business leader with experience across several successful enterprises which have achieved significant product sales, returns for investors and positively impacted hundreds of thousands of lives. He has been an active member of several boards of directors and an active volunteer.
Kaylynn Purdy completed her medical education at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is currently an adult neurology resident at the University of Alberta and health policy student at Stanford University. She is formerly a member of the CFMS Board, CaRMS Board, and Professional Association of Residents of Alberta Board.
Dr. Foluke Laosebikan is a Solicitor from Melfort, Saskatchewan, where she founded her own legal practice, FLK Law Firm. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995 and to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2011. Originally from Nigeria, Dr. Laosebikan immigrated to Canada in 2004. Since then, she has been a dedicated volunteer, sitting on the board of directors of Collaborative Professionals of Saskatchewan for several years and on the Board of the Law Society of Saskatchewan where she has served as a Bencher since 2017 and has participated in and chaired various committees.
President and CEO
Dr. Constance Leblanc is President and CEO of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) and is instrumental in shaping and delivering on AFMC’s key priorities.
Originally from New Brunswick, Connie completed undergraduate studies at the Université de Moncton and medical education at Université Laval in Québec City. She has practiced tertiary care Emergency Medicine in Nova Scotia for over three decades. A lifelong learner, Connie holds a Master of Arts in Medical Education, an Executive Master’s in Business Administration and Technology, and most recently became a Canadian Certified Inclusion ProfessionalÔ. Dr. LeBlanc served in a decanal role for two terms as Associate Dean for Continuing Professional Development at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her scholarship focuses on Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity & Accessibility (EDIA) and medical education with a strong academic track record in these areas. Connie is excited to collaborate with the committee of Deans and tackle important issues for academic medicine in Canada.
Vice-President, Education
Dr. Karwowska plays a leadership role in AFMC activities that promote excellence in the continuum of medical education in Canada. She is a strong advocate for learners, teachers and educators. She received her medical degree from McGill University. Dr. Karwowska completed her training in Pediatrics and a fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the University of Calgary. Her clinical practice is in Child Maltreatment Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and she is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Vice-President, Research
Dr. Tara Beattie is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Oncology at the Cumming School of Medicine and is Associate Dean in Graduate Science Education. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1997 and completed postdoctoral training at the Ontario Cancer Institute from 1997-2000. In 2001, she became an independent investigator at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is a member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. Her primary research focuses on telomere integrity and the enzyme telomerase as a critical factor in genomic stability and the progression of age-related diseases.
Chief Operating Officer and Lead, Social Accountability
Melissa oversees overall operations for the Association and is the senior management team support for the new AFMC Standing Committee on Social Accountability and its connected committees and networks. For more than five years, Ms. Shahin has led the financial, human resources, communications, information technology, facilities, and strategic initiatives / project management dossiers of AFMC. Ms. Shahin is forward-thinking with a passion for strategic planning and process improvement. She holds an Honours degree in Political Science with a focus on Canadian constitutional law and Indigenous studies.
Director, Member Services
Fran is an accomplished leader in the Canadian medical education sector who enjoys an active role collaborating with medical professionals, medical educators and national healthcare organizations and has become well known for fostering substantial growth and development of medical education. Fran has held senior leadership positions and has provided consultative support for the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Association of Radiologists, the Canadian Public Health Association, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Société Internationale d’Urologie. Fran holds a Master of Education (Educational Administration), Bachelor of Education, and Bachelor of Science, along with a Physician Management and Leadership Certificate from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Director, Data and Information Services
Jon Kimball manages the national repository of information on faculties of medicine across Canada. He brings with him over 20 years of experience in healthcare data management and implementing systems with a focus on improving health through better use of information. He has a proven track record of understanding the complexities of healthcare and harnessing information to make a difference. Jon holds a BA in Electronics Engineering, and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and carries the Project Management Professional Designation (PMP).
Director, Strategic Communications and Government Relations
Annie leads the development and execution of AFMC’S external communications and government relations strategies. Prior to joining AFMC, Annie worked in public affairs and marketing roles within the health sector, amplifying inspiring stories of recipients to build awareness and drive donations of blood, stem cell and cord blood. She also has a strong track record of building relationships with the media, stakeholders and partners to drive desired outcomes and results. Annie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from Laurentian University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in public relations from Cambrian College and a Masters in Political Management from Carleton University.
Our committees report into the Board of Directors and support them in fulfilling its defined responsibilities.
The AFMC Networks facilitate national collaboration between all Faculties of Medicine and serve in an advisory role to share knowledge and provide topic specific support across Faculties.
Chair: Dr. Suzan Schneeweiss, University of Toronto
Vice-Chair: Dr.Vernon Curran, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Chair: Dr. Saleem Razack, McGill University
Chair: Dr. Joanne Hamilton, University of Manitoba
Chair: Dr. Aimee Ryan, McGill University
Co-Chair: Dr. Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba
Co-Chair: Dr. Darlene Kitty, University of Ottawa
Chair: Dr. Matthieu Touchette, Université de Sherbrooke
Vice-Chair: Dr. Ravi Sidhu, University of British Columbia
Chair: Dr. Greg Radu, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Vice-Chair: Dr. Natasja Menezes, McMaster University
Vice-Chair: Dr. Aviva Goldberg, University of Manitoba
Vice-Chair: Dr. Carolyn Hutchison, University of Calgary
Chair: Dr. Claude Labrie, Université Laval
Vice-Chair: Dr. Cheryl Holmes, University of British Columbia
Chair: Dr. Peter Nickerson, University of Manitoba
Dr. Leslie Flynn, Queen’s University
Dr. Cathy Vardy, Memorial University
Co-Chair: Dr. Rabiya Jalil, University of Calgary
Co-Chair: Dr. Owen Prowse, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Chair: Dr. Norah Duggan, Memorial University
Chair: Dr. Barbara Power, University of Ottawa
Chair: Dr. Sharon Hatcher, Université de Sherbrooke
Chair: Dr. John Lee, McMaster University
Chair: Dr. Andrea Lum, University of Toronto
Chair: Dr. Aaron Chiu, University of Manitoba
Chair: Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Chair: Ms. Tasha Ayinde, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Chair: Mr. Sean O’Neill, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Chair: Ms. Geneviève Bhérer, Université Laval
Co-Chair: Dr. Gayle Adams-Carpino, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Co-Chair: Dr. Moni Fricke, University of Manitoba
Chair: Ms. Jennifer McKinnel, McMaster University
Co-Chair: Dr. Amanda Condon, University of Manitoba
Co-Chair: Ms. Pamela Bere, Western University
Co-Chair: Mr. Greg Power, University of Saskatchewan
Co-Chair: Ms. Anne Weeden, Dalhousie University
Chair: Dr. Roger Wong, University of British Columbia
Co-Chair: Dr. Erin Cameron, NOSM University
Co-Chair: Dr. Claire Kendall, University of Ottawa
Co-Chair: Ms. Erin Walling, University of Saskatchewan
Chair: Dr. Anne McLeod, University of Toronto
The AFMC Committees and Networks provide guidance in all facets of academic medicine. They bring together representatives from across all faculties of medicine and provide national guidance on a wide range of topics.
University of Calgary • University of Toronto • Université de Sherbrooke • Queen’s University • University of Ottawa • University of Manitoba • Université de Laval • Memorial University of Newfoundland • University of Alberta • University of Saskatchewan • Université de Montréal • NOSM University • McMaster University • McGill University • University of British Columbia • Dalhousie University • Western University
150 Elgin Street — 10th Floor
Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4
Unceded Traditional Algonquin Territory
Tel: 613-730-0687
Fax: 613-730-1196
We look forward to hearing from you.
The AFMC newsletter is published five times per year and brings you all relevant news and information regarding our initiatives and those of our faculties.
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