Just days after completing his term as past president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Chris Simpson (Cardiology) is leaping into two new leadership roles – as vice-dean, clinical, of the Queen’s School of Medicine and medical director of the Southeastern Ontario Medical Organization (SEAMO). Dr. Simpson will take on these new roles effective Sept. 1, 2016.

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to take on this new role within the School of Medicine,” says Dr. Simpson. “It’s a time in my career where I’m transitioning out of another major role as past-president of the CMA, so this is the perfect time to direct my attention and focus on a new endeavor.”

Dr. Simpson has a long-standing relationship with the Queen’s School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Queen’s in 1997, returning to serve as a staff attending physician and professor in 1999 after completing a fellowship at the University of Western Ontario.

“Dr. Simpson, who is highly respected by his colleagues, brings tremendous leadership experience and nearly 16 years of institutional knowledge to this new role,” says Richard Reznick, Dean of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Medicine. “I wish him my congratulations on this appointment and look forward to working with him in his role as vice-dean, clinical.”

Dr. Simpson believes his experiences in the academic alternate funding environment and leadership roles with the CMA prepare him well for these new roles, giving him a thorough understanding of the many issues facing practitioners in Kingston and around the province. He identifies three areas – physician compensation, workforce structure, and regional services – as key issues facing physicians across Ontario, in addition to the need to bring transparency and accountability to the profession.

“One thing that was very important to me during my time with the CMA was to make the association relevant to the general public,” says Dr. Simpson. “I think we have a responsibility to be accountable to citizens and patients in the community – not just our own enterprise. That’s the kind of sentiment I want to bring to this job as well.

“It’s obviously very important for us to ensure the organization runs well and that physicians are fulfilled and have what they need to serve their patients and their academic missions. However, taking it a step further, we also need to consider how to embrace that sense of civic responsibility to the people we all ultimately serve. And that means making the system work better, in a more integrated fashion.”

Dr. Simpson says he looks forward to collaborating with Dean Reznick and his fellow vice-deans to further the school’s objectives moving forward. He has also stated that he will be continuing his clinical work as a cardiologist and intends to “for many years to come.”

“On behalf of the entire Department of Medicine, I’d like to extend my most sincere congratulations to Dr. Simpson on his new position as vice-dean, clinical, of the School of Medicine,” says Stephen Archer, Head of the Department of Medicine. “The department has benefited significantly from his steady yet efficient approach, pragmatic perspective, and strategic advice. His commitment to patient care and administrative excellence is unparalleled, his collegiality and willingness to collaborate second to none, and advocacy for his division members always unwavering.”