Spotlight on Staff
Winter 2024/25
Meet Fred Ross: Our New Director of Operations at the School of Dentistry
In this edition of Dentistry News, we shine the spotlight on Fred Ross, who recently joined us as Dentistry's Director, Operations.
Background and Experience
Fred Ross joined our School of Dentistry as the Director of Operations in September 2024. With a professional background spanning 15 years in various areas of Medical Education at Schulich, Fred has always been passionate about the advancements happening at Schulich Dentistry.
"I had been following Schulich Dentistry from a distance and started to take note of the great things that were happening here. I want to be a part of this! There is such a wonderful team of faculty and staff that go above and beyond every day to deliver the academic mission for the students," he shares.
Fred's career over the past 20 years has been diverse and dynamic. He began in Human Resources within the manufacturing and healthcare sectors before returning to Western. His roles have included managing the Family Medicine Residency Program, overseeing Distributed Education, and managing the operations side of the Undergraduate Medical Education (MD program). Most recently, he served as the Manager of Administration and Finance in the Department of Anesthesia at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. These varied experiences have shaped his approach to problem-solving and leadership.
Leadership and Management Style
Fred describes his leadership style as one of continuous learning and adaptation. "I try to listen to team members' concerns and ideas without interrupting. I feel it is important to acknowledge the challenges and support team members in overcoming obstacles," he explains. He is a strong advocate for continuous learning and encourages personal and professional development, leveraging the many opportunities Western provides. Fred emphasizes the importance of creating a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and part of the team. He strives to lead by example, demonstrating integrity, humility, and service.
When it comes to leading a team, Fred's top priorities include encouraging innovative thinking and fostering in-person conversations to solve challenges. "My door is always open to discuss the opportunities and challenges that are in front of us," he says.
Vision and Goals
Fred aims to build on the excellent work of Dr. Quiñonez and former Director of Operations, Lisa Johnson, particularly in improving faculty and staff engagement and satisfaction. One of his key initiatives will be the further development of Faculty Admin Days, providing more opportunities for learning and professional development. These days are designed to help faculty and staff reconnect and grow both personally and professionally, and he is looking forward to planning valuable sessions for the upcoming year.
Personal Insights
Outside of work, Fred has a busy family life with three young daughters enrolled in various sporting and educational activities. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling. He and his spouse spent a summer during their undergraduate years in Portland, Maine, working in the research lab of Dr. Joseph Verdi at the Maine Medical Centre Research Institute. They supported research in stem cell biology and enjoyed exploring the East Coast. Fred highly recommends the Sunset Run of the Casco Bay ferry for anyone visiting Portland, Maine.
Future Plans
As Fred begins his journey with us, he is struck by the community's commitment to the mission "To Be of Service." He has been warmly welcomed by students, staff, and faculty alike.
"My approach is 'to leave it better than what it started with,' and this is how I approach each day. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that are ahead, and how we can tackle them together," he concludes.
Welcome to Dentistry, Fred!
Note: This article was written with the assistance of Microsoft Co-Pilot.
