Announcement: Alumnus Dr. Kevin Pottie returns to Western as the Ian McWhinney Chair of Family Medicine Studies

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kevin Pottie as the Ian McWhinney Chair of Family Medicine Studies at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, effective September 7, 2021 to September 6, 2026.

Dr. Pottie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a medical degree from Dalhousie University. After taking part in international humanitarian missions with Doctors Without Borders, he earned a Master of Clinical Science degree in Family Medicine from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.  He then completed a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship (TUDOR) and an AMS/Wilson Senior Fellowship in refugee health at the University of Ottawa.

He is joining the faculty at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry from his previous appointment as a Professor and Clinician-Investigator at the University of Ottawa, where his research focused on refugee health, health equity and ‘healthtech.’  During the Syrian refugee health crisis, he led both the Canadian and European evidence-based health guidelines for refugees. His ongoing work will focus on improving the accessibility of trustworthy health care guidelines to reduce health inequities. He has published over 175 peer reviewed articles.

Dr. Pottie was the recipient of the Martin J. Bass Award for Postgraduate Studies in Family Medicine, the PARO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, the Geeta Gupta Equity and Diversity Award for Clinical Care and Research and the Ontario College of Family Physicians’ Award of Excellence. In 2021, he received the prestigious College of Family Physicians of Canada Researcher of the Year Award.  

During his time as the Ian McWhinney Chair, Dr. Pottie will continue to focus his research on trustworthy recommendations, refugee health and patient-centered approaches to virtual care.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Pottie on his appointment.

Dr. John Yoo, MD, FRCS(C), FACS
Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University