Dr. Stephanie Baxter Appointed Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s University

News & Announcements | 26 Jul 2022

On the recommendation of Dean Jane Philpott, Mark Green, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s University, has appointed Dr. Stephanie Baxter as Head, Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Baxter’s five-year term begins on September 1, 2022.

Dean Philpott would like to extend her gratitude to Dr. Martin ten Hove for his superb tenure as the Ophthalmology Department Head. Under Dr. ten Hove’s leadership, the department has led unparalleled innovations in research, technology, and patient care.

Dr. Baxter earned her medical degree at Dalhousie University, before completing a residency in Ophthalmology at Queen’s University. She then attended the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, where she completed a Cornea and External Disease Fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital. Since returning to Queen’s Health Sciences (QHS) as a faculty member, Dr. Baxter has completed a fellowship in educational scholarship and earned her Master of Business Administration. Dr. Baxter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Baxter has served in several leadership roles at Queen’s University and beyond. Within the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Baxter was Undergraduate Medical Education Director, Residency Program Director, and Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) lead. At present, she serves as the Co-Chair for the Cornea Transplant Working Group for the Trillium Gift of Life Network, where she provides expert advice on access to and care of the cornea transplant patients in Ontario. Dr. Baxter has held over 35 different administrative posts within Queen’s University, the Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and various other national and provincial committees and organizations. This includes her current role on the Accountability Committee for the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO).

Dr. Baxter is a successful clinician-educator and researcher. Her publication history reflects her core research interests in ophthalmology education, cataract surgery, the cornea and external disease. Dr. Baxter’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honours. Dr. Baxter and her research collaborators were recognized in 2020 by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society with an Award for Excellence in Ophthalmic Research for their research in medical education. As an educator, Dr. Baxter was awarded the Certificate of Merit from the Canadian Association for Medical Education, and the H.F. Pross Educational Technology Award; testaments to her innovative approach to medical education. As the Ophthalmology Residency Program Director, she was awarded the Garth Taylor Resident Teaching Award on two occasions. Dr. Baxter has been recognized by her students, as the recipient of the Lectureship Award from the Aesculapian Society.

“As a proud member of the Department of Ophthalmology at Queen’s for 18 years, I have full-heartedly supported the department’s tripartite mission of delivering excellence in patient care, teaching, and research,” says Dr. Baxter. “My time in the department has allowed me to witness firsthand where we have been, and how we have evolved. I am excited for the responsibility to serve as the Head of the Department for the next five years.”

No doubt, Dr. Baxter will continue her dedication to excellence in patient care, teaching, and research as she takes on this leadership role in the Department of Ophthalmology. Please join the Dean in congratulating Dr. Baxter on her appointment.

Dr. Stephanie Baxter Appointed Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Queen’s University

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