Dr. Mark Awuku named Acting Associate Dean, Windsor Program

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to announce that Windsor paediatrician Dr. Mark Awuku will assume the role of Acting Associate Dean, Windsor Program effective June 1, 2010.

Dr. Awuku graduated from The University of Ghana Medical School in 1975, and completed his residency in paediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He now works at Windsor Regional Hospital, and is an Associate Professor of Paediatrics at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, and the Academic Director of Paediatrics for the Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network (SWOMEN). In 2008, Dr. Awuku was awarded the Green Shield Scholar of Medical Education for being a renowned medical educator and for his contributions to the development of SWOMEN, and the success of the Windsor clerkship.

Dr. Awuku has always had a passion for teaching and has won numerous teaching awards including the LOM Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Best Fellow ICU Award, Best Teacher Award (Schulich Medicine & Dentistry's Department of Paediatrics, 2004), and Best Teacher Award for SWOMEN (2004-2008). He was also awarded the 2005 PAIRO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award and the 2008 Ontario Medical Association Student Advocate Award.

"Dr. Awuku brings a wealth of experience to the position of Acting Associate Dean," says Dean Carol Herbert. "The Windsor Program is in very good hands while we continue the search process for an Associate Dean."

We are also pleased to announce Dr. Andrew Petrakos as the new Postgraduate Program Coordinator for the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry -Windsor Program. Dr. Petrakos took up his role on March 1, 2010 for a three year term ending June 30, 2013.

Dr. Petrakos is a University of Western Ontario graduate completing medical school in 1978. After an internship at the University of Toronto, he returned to London as a Surgery Resident, and then as a Fellow in Anatomic Pathology and Peripheral Vascular Surgery. In 1984, he joined general surgery at Windsor Regional Hospital where he has held several leadership roles including Chief of Staff, President of Medical Staff and Vice President of Medical Staff on the Board of Directors.