Dr. John Denstedt to take on new global role at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Dr. Michael J. Strong, Dean, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. John Denstedt to the position of Special Advisor to the Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry on Health Globalization, Internationalization and Simulation.
In this role, Dr. Denstedt joins the senior leadership team of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, providing leadership for the implementation of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry White Paper on Globalization and Internationalization, with a specific focus on developing, enhancing and maintaining internationalization initiatives. Dr. Denstedt will provide strategic leadership within Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in key areas of globalization and internationalization, including internationally distributed medical education initiatives for the Schulich Medicine & Dentistry programs. Dr. Denstedt will also take a lead role in working with Western University, in particular the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences, in the establishment of a Biomedical Devices Institute.
Building on and integrating the current expertise in simulation training at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry and across the London health sector, Dr. Denstedt will develop a comprehensive educational and international operational strategy for simulation training for the School. In the coming years, it is expected that this world-class program will be housed in its entirety in the Don Rix Clinical Skills Learning Building.
Dr. Denstedt will work closely with London hospital partners, CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics), faculties across Western University, WORLDiscoveries, the Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership (ICHIL) and Western's International Office.
"The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has been increasing its international activity for several years, and has a critical role to play in helping to develop a Canadian presence in health care globalization and internationalization," says Dean Strong. "Working with our partners across the University and across the region, Dr. Denstedt will take responsibility for the development and maintenance of global initiatives specifically related to medicine and dentistry."
Western University Strategic Plan 2009-2012, Engaging the Future, calls for a renewed focus on internationalization. Through the Plan, the University is committed to "support our faculty in conducting international research," and to give our "students an education that will prepare them to live, work and actively contribute within the international economy and society." The appointment of Dr. Denstedt to this role will contribute to advancing the strategic objectives of the Plan.
Dr. Denstedt brings 25 years of experience and a respected track record of leadership in international program development and delivery to the role of Special Advisor. His impressive research and training experience spans the globe including areas such as North and South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Dr. Denstedt has established strong collaborative relationships with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada Trade Commission, Canadian Embassy Network and their international government counterparts world-wide. In addition, he is currently leading many innovative initiatives in education and training around the world through leading-edge integration of information technology. Through Dr. Denstedt's pioneering efforts, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is well positioned to expand its international presence and leadership.
Dr. Denstedt is an internationally renowned scholar with career accomplishments encompassing more than 175 publications; more than 200 guest professorships in countries throughout the world; and numerous honours and awards. He has extensive clinical leadership experience serving as the current city-wide Chair/Chief of the Department of Surgery, Chair, Canadian Association of Surgical Chairs and member of the Standards Committee for the American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes Program. His research interests include minimally invasive surgery, urolithiasis, biomaterials and urinary tract infection. With a specific interest in surgical education, he has participated in the development and validation of computer-based surgical simulators, which help train the next generation of surgeons.
