Dr. Stephen Vanner appointed interim dean of Queen's Health Sciences

News & Announcements | 23 Oct 2024

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane has appointed Dr. Stephen Vanner as interim dean of Queen’s Health Sciences (QHS), interim director of the School of Medicine, and interim CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO), effective December 1, 2024. He will assume the role after Jane Philpott steps down to lead a new primary care action team for the Ontario government.

On behalf of Queen's University, Principal Deane wishes to thank Dean Philpott for her considerable contributions during her time as dean. She introduced a number of new programs to further strengthen research, teaching, and advance equity, diversity and inclusion across the faculty. From breaking down silos through the faculty's strategic plan, 'Radical Collaboration,' to the Queen's-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program, expansion of partnerships and programs for Indigenous youth in the Weeneebayko region, to the recent announcement of a $25-million gift to the Sinclair Cancer Research Institute, the impact of her work will be imprinted on the faculty long into the future.

Dr. Vanner earned his BSc in Life Sciences, MD, and MSc in Neurophysiology from Queen’s, where he also completed his internal medicine residency. After subspecialty training and a research fellowship at Hotel Dieu Hospital in 1988, he completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the Vollum Institute in 1991. He joined Queen’s faculty that year in the Department of Medicine, with cross-appointments in biology and physiology. He is currently a QHS professor, Director of Clinical Research at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, and Director of Queen’s Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit. He also served as inaugural Director of the Translational Institute of Medicine.

An accomplished researcher, Dr. Vanner has published more than 190 journal articles, received over $20 million in research funding, and has been recognized with several honours and awards for scientific excellence. In 2021, he served as Interim Vice-Dean (Clinical) for the School of Medicine and as SEAMO’s Medical Director. The search for a permanent dean began in July 2024, after Dean Philpott announced she would not seek a second term. The Principal’s Advisory Committee tasked with the search has shortlisted candidates and interviews are expected to be scheduled in November, with a new permanent dean set to start by July 1, 2025.

Please join the Principal in congratulating Dr. Vanner on his appointment.

Dr. Stephen Vanner appointed interim dean of Queen's Health Sciences

Related topics

Explore Our Stories