Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane has announced that Dean Jane Philpott will be taking on a new role with the Ontario government, effective Dec. 1, 2024. She will be stepping down as dean of Queen’s Health Sciences to chair and lead a new primary care action team. 

Earlier this year, Dean Philpott announced her intention not to seek a second term as dean to focus on her commitment to improving health care systems. In the provincial announcement, Health Minister Sylvia Jones says Dr. Philpott will be leading efforts to connect every person in Ontario with primary health care.  

“I would like to congratulate Dean Philpott on her appointment to this important new role with the Ontario government that will be focused on improving the primary care system upon which we all rely,” says Principal Deane. “During her time at Queen’s, Dean Philpott has further established herself as a national leader in healthcare reform, while also making significant contributions to the university and faculty, where she introduced a range of new programs to strengthen research, teaching, and our commitment to accessibility and inclusion.”  

In his announcement, Principal Deane also announced that he will be naming an interim dean of Health Sciences shortly. The search process for a permanent dean is well underway. A Principal’s Advisory Committee to support the search was established in July and it has identified a short list of candidates. Interviews are expected to be scheduled in November, with a new dean to be in place by July 1, 2025.

During her time as dean, Dr. Philpott led the creation of a new admissions process that improves equitable access to the faculty’s MD program, and in 2023 she led the expansion of a partnership with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) to launch a program to prepare Indigenous students for healthcare careers, with support from the Mastercard Foundation.  

Under her leadership, the faculty developed an innovative educational and training partnership between Queen’s and Lakeridge Health to address family physician shortages in southeastern Ontario. In June, she announced a transformational gift from Murray (Com’84) and Cara Sinclair that will significantly advance cancer research at Queen’s. The $25 million donation will help the university build research capacity in an area of existing strength, establish advanced facilities, create training opportunities, and work to improve cancer care and treatments locally, nationally, and around the world.  

More details about Dr. Philpott’s appointment and her new role are available in the Ontario government’s announcement.

Stephen Vanner has officially been appointed as the interim dean effective Dec. 1.