Dr. Tony Sanfilippo Appointed as Senior Advisor, Educational Expansion and Innovation

News & Announcements | 06 Apr 2022

Queen’s Health Sciences is pleased to announce that, on the recommendation of Dean Jane Philpott, Dr. Tony Sanfilippo has been appointed as Senior Advisor, Educational Expansion and Innovation.

In this role, Dr. Sanfilippo will work with community partners to develop a new integrated physician training program which will prepare qualified and motivated individuals to provide comprehensive medical care for communities across Eastern and Southeastern Ontario. This plan puts the needs of local communities at the centre, while delivering results for the province in a fast, cost-effective manner. In doing so, Dr. Sanfilippo will be developing long-term, mutually beneficial working relationships with communities..   

Dr. Sanfilippo received a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Life Sciences and an MD at Queen’s University. He undertook training in Internal Medicine, receiving his Royal College Fellowship and certification in Cardiology. He went on to do a postgraduate research fellowship in Echocardiography at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital returning to Queen’s in 1989.  Since then, he has been a clinical cardiologist associated with Kingston Health Sciences Centre and has directed Echocardiography Laboratories at both hospital locations. He holds a teaching position with Queen’s as a Professor of Medicine and Cardiology.  

Dr. Sanfilippo recently stepped down from his third term as Associate Dean, UGME. As Associate Dean, Dr. Sanfilippo consistently approached his work with a commitment to excellence of medical education, innovation, and to broadening access and diversity within the profession.

The impact that Dr. Sanfilippo has had extends to the development of a revised, competency-based curriculum, governance reform, broader engagement of faculty in teaching and leadership positions, expanded integrated community learning opportunities, community partnerships, and pathways that have diversified the student population in the School of Medicine, including facilitated routes of entry for Indigenous and Black applicants. Dr. Sanfilippo was also instrumental in the growth of the military presence in the Undergraduate Medical Education program. Through the establishment of a partnership with the Department of National Defense, up to 10 military personnel enter medical school each year. During his tenure as Associate Dean, Dr. Sanfilippo worked with colleagues on the rollout of two new programs offered jointly with the School of Graduate Studies. The combined MD/PhD and MD/Master’s programs have been incredibly successful and provide benefits to both scholarship and to the professional development of physician-scientists.  

A recognized leader in medical education, Dr. Sanfilippo has received over 20 awards and honours, including the Queen’s University Principal’s Leadership in Medical Education Award in 2015, the Department of Medicine Distinguished Service Award in 2017, and the Queen’s University Distinguished Service Award in 2021.

Please join the Dean in congratulating Dr. Sanfilippo on his appointment as Senior Advisor, Educational Expansion and Innovation.

Dr. Tony Sanfilippo Appointed as Senior Advisor, Educational Expansion and Innovation

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