Chair's Message

After a brief pause since the fall, it’s a pleasure to be back in touch through our Department of Family Medicine newsletter. We have just wrapped up another academic year, are already into the heat of summer, as well as having launched the new academic year July 1st. This is a welcome moment to reflect, reconnect, and recognize all that we’ve accomplished together. Whether you are faculty, staff, a resident, or a medical student, you have played a vital role in our Department’s ongoing story. In the message that follows, I’ll share some of the key highlights from 2024–25 and celebrate the milestones, progress, and people that have made this year so meaningful.

A tremendous year for Dr. Susan McNair

What a year it was for our very own Dr. Susan McNair! Dr. McNair, a comprehensive family physician at the St. Jospeh’s Family Medical Centre also practices at and serves as the Medical Director of the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Program at St. Jospeh’s Health Care London. Over the past 10 months, Dr. McNair has been awarded:

  • 2024 CPSO Board Award for her commitment to caring for patients who have experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence
  • 2024 St. Jospeh’s Medical Advisory Committee award recognizing a physician who goes “above and beyond” while demonstrating leadership and contributions aligned with the strategic direction of SJHC
  • 2025 YMCA Women of Excellence award for her distinguished leadership and transformative work in trauma-informed care and caring for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence

 

In addition, in May 2025, it was announced that SJHC, under Dr. McNair’s leadership, will establish a first-of-its-kind Trauma and Violence Specialized Primary Care Clinic after receiving a $3.82 million investment from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Congratulations, Susan, we are so proud of you and all you do!

Departmental Award Winners, Notable Achievements, and Milestones

  • Sonja Reichert was re-appointed as the endowed Dr. Brian W. Gilbert Canada Research Chair in Primary Care Research.
  • Moira Stewart was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by INSPIRE-PHC for outstanding contributions to research and capacity building in Primary Care Research in October 2024.
  • 2024 Citywide Family Medicine Award Winners: 
    • Recognition award to a family physician: Dr. Antia Singh
    • Recognition award to a health team member: Mr. Craig Mara
    • Dana Winterburn Memorial award: Dr. Jennifer Parr
  • Joanne Gibb, the Department of Family Medicine Manager of Administration and finance, took advantage of early retirement and retired in January 2025 after a 40-year career at Western.
  • Jessica Howard and Fawad Ahmed were awarded Canadian Association of Medical Education 2025 Certificates of Merit recognizing faculty who are committed to medical education in Canada.
  • John Sangster (MD ’67, MClSc ’84) was memorialized with the naming of the atrium in the Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine in his honour in January 2025.
  • 2025 Schulich Excellence in Distributed Education Award winners:
    • Laura Clademenos, Family Medicine (St. Thomas)
    • Elena Matusa, Family Medicine (London)
    • Sheri Roszell, Family Medicine (Chatham)
    • Shawn Segeren, Family Medicine (Chatham)
  • Stewart Harris, a 30-year faculty member, tremendous clinician and researcher, retired in May 2025.
  • Cheryl Leystra-Lantz, our Program Coordinator – student relations & IMG pre-residency program, retired in June 2025.
  • Evelyn Levy, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine Administrative Assistant, retired in June 2025.

 

Department Leadership Opportunities

Our Department’s accomplishments are based on the dedicated contributions of our faculty and staff. A huge thank you to the faculty who take on leadership positions in addition to their clinical and teaching responsibilities.
If you have an interest in leadership within the Department, we are currently recruiting for two positions -  Faculty Development Coordinator and Graduate Program Studies Director.  If you are a faculty member and interested in either of these roles, please reach out to me for more information.

 

Looking ahead – events to note

McWhinney Lecture – Wednesday, September 17

  • “Intellect, Emotion, Action and Evidence” with keynote speaker Dr. Moira Stewart

 

MLPCN Symposium – Wednesday, October 1 @ Quiet Earth Farm, Dorchester

  • This one-day event will feature practical, evidence-based education focused on modifiable risk factors, prevention strategies, and tools for supporting self-management in chronic disease care.

 

Schulich Regional Academic Summit – October 2 – 3, 2025 @ Elmhurst Inn & Spa

  • Keynote speaker Thursday evening, October 2nd and a full day of conference-style sessions covering both clinical and educational topics on October 3rd

 

To close, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you reading this message for your contributions, dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the Department of Family Medicine here at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The work you do everyday always impresses me. You are making meaningful impacts on our learners, your communities, and the future of Family Medicine.

I wish you a restful and enjoyable summer. I hope you find time to recharge and spend time with the people and activities you love.

As always, if you have comments, questions, feedback, or topics you would like to hear about in future newsletters, please reach out to me – Scott McKay smckay28@uwo.ca.