News: Dr. John Yoo begins his term as Dean
Dr. John Yoo, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry’s 20th Dean, begins his first term effective May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025.
Dr. Yoo completed his medicine, residency and fellowship training at the University of Toronto. He became an Assistant Professor at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in 1997 and a full Professor in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery and Oncology in 2002.
Internationally renowned for the pioneering techniques he has developed in reconstructive head and neck surgery, Dr. Yoo recently served Western as Interim Chair/Chief of the Department of Paediatrics and is the former Chair/Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. He currently serves as Fellowship Director for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.
Dr. Yoo also serves as Co-Chair of Cancer Care Ontario’s Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site Group, he is the President-elect of the Canadian Association of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and he is an executive board member with the Canadian Association of Otolaryngology and the Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery. He is noted to have been the longest serving Chair of the Canadian Chairs of Otolaryngology and he has been Co-Chair of the London Health Sciences Centre’s Facial Nerve Clinic since 2007.
Dr. Yoo was chosen to serve in the role as Dean following an external review and international search that identified and evaluated a strong pool of internal and external candidates.
After multiple engagements with Dr. Yoo, the Selection Committee made the unanimous decision to recommend his appointment to the Board. This decision was informed by several factors, including his reputation as an inspired and collaborative leader who has a demonstrated track record for driving constructive organizational change.
As a tertiary care surgeon, Dr. Yoo is known for his passion for teaching, research, and patient care. As the Dean, he will bring the right mix of values, knowledge, experience, energy and vision to lead effectively within a complex clinical/academic environment and leverage partnerships to realize Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's potential as one of Canada’s pre-eminent medical and dental schools.
