International Dean Leadership Development Program

 

The AFMC International Dean Leadership Development Program is a premier professional development opportunity designed to empower Deans and aspiring decanal leaders in medicine and health sciences across Canada and around the world with the critical strategic skills necessary for global impact within academic medicine.

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Elevate Your Decanal Leadership

1:1 Strategic Mentorship

Get paired with a senior leadership mentor matched to your specific institutional needs, with sustained guidance across the full seven-month program.

Curriculum Built for the Deanship

Engage in ten sessions spanning trust, crisis leadership, equity, AI integration, financial management, government relations, and wellbeing.

Applied Learning with Impact

Develop a strategic response to a pressing leadership challenge at your own institution, shaped by seven months of mentor counsel and peer insight.

Global Peer Network

Connect with a small global cohort of academic leaders, creating space for peer exchange, shared problem-solving, and meaningful connections across institutions.

 

A Program Acclaimed by Leaders Worldwide

The Dean Leadership Development Program was an essential investment for navigating the complexities of academic leadership on a global scale. Being part of such an exclusive, international cohort was invaluable. The program provided proven strategies to strengthen our skills and a worldwide peer network that fosters lasting partnerships.
Gary Rogers
Gary RogersDean, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Australia
Through the Dean Leadership Development Program, I had the opportunity to learn from influential leaders in medical education from all over the world. The skills and relationships I developed continue to guide my work as I lead my medical school today.
Sarah Forgie
Sarah ForgieDean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Participating in the AFMC International Dean Leadership Development Program was a rewarding journey that allowed me to connect deeply with fellow Canadian leaders in academic medicine. The thoughtful curriculum and supportive mentorship enhanced my leadership perspective and inspired me to continue advancing positive change in our profession.
Kannin Osei-Tutu
Kannin Osei-TutuSenior Associate Dean for Health Equity and Systems Transformation, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
I absolutely loved my experience! I had the opportunity to meet inspiring leaders, engage with dynamic colleagues facing similar situations, and be exposed to innovative visions that made me reflect and grow as a leader. It’s a must !
Louis Valiquette
Louis ValiquetteDean, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
Participating in the AFMC International Dean Leadership Development Program has been instrumental in strengthening my leadership approach. The opportunity to engage with peers and experts from across the globe continues to inform the decisions I make as dean today, helping me foster innovation and collaboration within my institution. One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the mentoring I received from a senior dean—a relationship I have maintained and continue to value for its ongoing support and guidance.
Dolores McKeen
Dolores McKeenPast Interim Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, Canada

International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM)

Bringing together health leaders in education and research.

The International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM) will be a congress that is unparalleled in scope and reputation in Canada, providing unique opportunities for networking and sharing of scholarly work in medical education along the continuum and across academic medicine. Over 2000 of the brightest, most innovative physicians, learners, researchers, health organizations and leaders spanning the globe will come together to discuss the most pressing questions in academic medicine that bring us closer to a healthier tomorrow.

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Canada’s Portal for Residency Program Promotion (CANPREPP)

CANPREPP is designed to help medical students and residents connect with residency programs across Canada 

CANPREPP, an initiative of AFMC, is a virtual platform allowing applicants to Canadian residency programs to discover, experience, and connect with any residency program across Canada.

 

Students can find the right fit for their future by exploring residency programs across Canada, all in on virtual place.

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Student Portal

Your One-Stop Shop for Visiting Electives

The AFMC Student Portal is an online, bilingual service that facilitates applications and placements of medical students for undergraduate visiting electives at the 17 faculties of medicine in Canada.

 

The Student Portal services include a searchable database for visiting electives in Canada; online application process for Canadian and international students; and placement and confirmation tracking tools for elective coordinators at each faculty. Our services are available to Canadian and International undergraduate medical students.

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MedPREPP

Academic Medicine — Preparation and Pathways

It’s your journey to and through Medical School. AFMC is here to help you navigate it.

 

The path to and through medical school can sometimes feel like a giant secret. MEDPREPP wants to uncover hidden curriculums, identify important resources and define the steps—so you don’t have to do the guess work. We aim to work with learners, graduates, MDs, and faculty members to map out the entire academic medicine journey—making it clear what the journey looks like, and what resources are helpful along the way.

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AFMC’s Response to Opioid Crisis

Developing a Canada-wide, competency-based curricula for future physicians in pain management, substance use and addictions.

AFMC has released a series of online educational modules for medical students across the country. This will help close gaps in current educational offerings and ensure future physicians are better prepared to address pain management and addiction medicine.

 

Supported with a financial contribution from Health Canada, the new curriculum was created by a multidisciplinary team of subject-matter experts and stakeholders.

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CAMI_en

Culture of Academic Medicine Initiative (CAMi)

Creating a culture of health and well-being through equity, compassion, and respect.

The Culture of Academic Medicine Initiative (CAMi) encourages Canadian academic medicine institutions to adopt and implement best practices and initiatives that foster respectful, inclusive, and health-promoting environments for the well-being of all.

This initiative also seeks to empower individuals in academic medicine to collectively strive towards embedding equity, compassion, respect, safe spaces, and self-care into the fabric of our communities.

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Academic Health Institutions’ Declaration on Planetary Health

Committing to building a healthy, sustainable, and just future for all

As health institutions throughout the world declare a code red emergency for the health of the planet, AFMC is committed to the immediate implementation of planetary health education, research, and the transition to climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems.

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International Dean Leadership Development Program

AFMC is hosting the next International Dean Leadership Development program to support professional development of Deans of Medicine, Deans of Health Sciences Faculties, aspiring Deans and others in decanal leadership positions around the world. The program is delivered through 9 synchronous virtual sessions each lasting approximately 2 hours and culminates with a face-to-face half day meeting at the International Congress on Academic Medicine (ICAM), that will take place in Montréal, Québec, Canada from April 1-4, 2027.

The course was developed to engage global leaders in medicine, academic medicine, and academic health professions. By attending the sessions, participants will be able to:

  1. Transform the fundamental leadership and management skills of building trust, effective team management, resource management, and fostering a culture of innovation in a global academic medical school environment.
  2. Apply the knowledge acquired in this program to leadership in an academic and/or clinical environment.

The program will be delivered in English only, however participants can complete and present their applied learning reports in French.

Learn More About the Program