Team
Leadership Team
Dr. David J. Price
Founding Dean and Special Advisor to the Provost & VP Academic
In July 2024, Dr. Price was appointed by 大象传媒's Board of Governors as the University's founding dean of Medicine. Dr. Price is a practicing family physician and professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, where he served as department chair for 15 years until 2021. He is a nationally recognized leader in family medicine and primary care, with extensive consulting experience across Canada and internationally. During his time as chair, he oversaw a significant expansion of the department, in part by establishing new family medicine residency locations in several communities. His research interests include interprofessional primary care practice policies. Dr. Price has a visiting faculty appointment in the department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology in the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Maria Hubinette
Associate Dean, Medical Education Programs
As the Associate Dean, Medical Education Programs, Dr. Maria Hubinette provides leadership for the development and implementation of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing medical education programs and accreditation. As a practicing family physician, her clinical work focuses on youth and women, particularly outreach to youth with barriers to accessing care, community-based mental health support and specialized care for sexual and gender-based violence survivors. Dr. Hubinette received her MD from UBC, completed her rural family practice residency program there, and took her Master of Medical Education from the University of Dundee, Scotland. She is a clinical professor in the department of family practice at UBC and has a visiting faculty appointment in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Dr. Kris Magnusson
Senior Advisor to the Provost & VP Academic
Dr. Kris Magnusson (PhD) is senior strategic advisor to the provost and vice-president academic and is presently the acting associate vice-president academic, teaching and learning. Kris has led several pivotal academic initiatives for the university, including the development and implementation of the School of Medicine's business case, and has been instrumental in guiding the School through the Senate and Board of Governors approval process. As a professor in the Faculty of Education, where he completed two terms as dean, Kris' scholarly work focuses on counselling psychology and career development. Prior to his tenure at 大象传媒, he was a junior high school teacher, a college counsellor and as faculty member in counselling psychology at the University of Calgary and the University of Lethbridge.
Dr. Rebekah Eatmon
Associate Dean, Indigenous Health
Dr. Rebekah Eatmon, Associate Dean Indigenous Health, is a highly respected Indigenous Family Physician who practices full scope family medicine, including family practice obstetrics. Since 2021, she has provided comprehensive medical care to both urban and rural Indigenous populations. Dr. Eatmon is the recipient of the BC College of Family Physicians Resident Leadership Award (2020) and the Canadian College of Family Physician鈥檚 Indigenous Medical Resident Award (2020). A leader and advocate with national-level influence, she is a sought-after speaker and advisor, providing education and advice to University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Doctors of BC, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. With her commitment to comprehensive family medicine and her leadership within both the Indigenous and broader medical communities, Dr. Eatmon brings valued leadership, wisdom, and guidance to Indigenous students and to the entire 大象传媒 School of Medicine community. The 大象传媒 School of Medicine is extremely fortunate to be chosen as her academic home.
Dr. Kimberlyn (Kim) McGrail
Associate Dean, Research
Dr. Kim McGrail (PhD) will be starting at the School of Medicine as the new Associate Dean, Research, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. McGrail is a Professor at the UBC School of Population and Public Health (SPPH) and UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research (CHSPR). She is also the Scientific Director of Population Data BC and the Scientific Director and CEO of Health Data Research Network Canada. She holds a BBA and MPH in Health Behavior & Health Education from the University of Michigan, a PhD in Health Care and Epidemiology from UBC, and was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Health Services Research & Population Health with Statistics Canada. Dr. McGrail brings well over two decades of experience across data-based research in population data science, quantitative policy evaluation, health services research, and health projects. Her research covers a broad spectrum, including evaluations of policy interventions in primary care and aging, use and cost of health care services, equity, and population data science, and she has been awarded more than 60 grants as a PI or Co-I totaling over $90 million throughout her career.
As a leading expert on the use of complex linked data for health services and policy research, Dr. McGrail has authored numerous publications and given over 220 conferences and events on population and health data research locally, nationally and internationally. She has past leadership roles with UBC Health and the BC Academic Health Sciences Network, mentored many graduate students throughout her career, and is a member of multiple academic, population and public health advisory committees. Dr. McGrail was also the inaugural Deputy Editor of the International Journal of Population Data Science, and is a recipient of multiple awards including the 2009-10 Commonwealth Fund Harkness Associate in Health Care Policy and Practice, the 2016 Cortlandt JG Mackenzie Prize for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2017 recipient of a UBC award for Excellence in Clinical or Applied Research. Her passion for research impact, commitment to inclusive and equitable academic practices, and visionary leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build the School of Medicine鈥檚 research mission and further 大象传媒鈥檚 broader academic goals.
DR. DAWN COOPER
ASSOCIATE DEAN, ACCREDITATION, ASSESSMENT, AND EVALUATION
Dr. Dawn Cooper (PhD), the new Associate Dean of Accreditation, Assessment, and Evaluation at the 大象传媒 School of Medicine, brings nearly two decades of experience in educational leadership, poised to make a significant impact on the School鈥檚 growth and success. With a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from 大象传媒 and a post-doctoral fellowship in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Dawn鈥檚 academic background is complemented by a wealth of practical expertise. Prior to joining 大象传媒, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, where she served as Assistant Dean of Medical Student Research and later as Associate Dean of Accreditation, Assessment, and Evaluation. In these roles, she developed a comprehensive program of assessment, developed and implemented program evaluation strategies, and led WSU through 3 successful rounds of accreditation. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the 大象传媒 School of Medicine鈥檚 commitment to excellence in medical education, research, and community engagement, helping to foster a dynamic and innovative learning environment. Dawn鈥檚 work will be central to ensuring the School鈥檚 continued success in delivering high-quality education and contributing to improved health outcomes locally and globally.
DR. KEYNA BRACKEN
ASSOCIATE DEAN, UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
Dr. Keyna Bracken is joining us as Associate Dean, Undergratuate Medical Education. She brings a wealth of experience in family medicine, obstetrics, and medical education. She has dedicated 18 years to advancing both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at McMaster University. Her career is marked by a steadfast commitment to addressing health inequities and improving wellness for diverse communities. Dr. Bracken is a visionary leader in medical education, passionate about innovative and inclusive healthcare.
In recent years, Dr. Bracken has held several leadership roles, including Undergraduate and Clerkship Director of Family Medicine, where she has worked to improve the learning environment for undergraduate medical students by integrating a combined asynchronous and synchronous learning pathway based on adult learning pedagogy into the Family Medicine clerkship. This innovation has been nationally recognized and adopted by other clerkship directors. Over the past three years as Chair of Preclerkship at McMaster's DeGroote School of Medicine, she has led many curricular initiatives such as the development of novel longitudinal curricula; discovered a link between an early formative assessment tool with later progress difficulty resulting in a new learning enhancement initiative to help identify students early in their undergraduate medical education journey who may need assistance. Additionally, she has explored the use of generative Artificial Intelligence in undergraduate medical education and has been awarded funding to examine how Family Medicine is portrayed in formal and informal curricula.
Dr. Bracken's leadership vision aligns with our school's commitment to creating a psychologically safe, inclusive medical education environment. She has worked closely with Indigenous and racialized colleagues to apply an anti-racism anti-oppression framework, advocating for change while recognizing and addressing her own biases. Her experience includes representing McMaster University nationally and internationally, showcasing her resilience, creativity, and flexibility.
Dr. Meredith Vanstone
Interim Assistant Dean, 大象传媒s & Visiting Professor
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Vanstone to the School of Medicine as the Interim Assistant Dean of 大象传媒s and Visiting Professor. A distinguished qualitative health researcher, Dr. Vanstone is dedicated to enhancing decision-making in primary care and has been consulting with the School of Medicine over the past year. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, a leader in medical school admissions research, and a longstanding member of McMaster鈥檚 admissions team. Dr. Vanstone holds the Canada Research Chair in Ethical Complexity in Primary Care and serves as the Director of the MD/PhD program at McMaster. With an interdisciplinary research focus, she addresses social and ethical issues in health professional practice, education, and policy. Her expertise in ethical decision-making and medical education will be invaluable in advancing the 大象传媒 School of Medicine's mission and fostering excellence in medical training.
Dr. Meera Anand
Assistant Dean, Faculty and Physician Engagement and Support
Dr. Meera Anand will be starting at the School of Medicine as the new Assistant Dean, Faculty and Physician Engagement and Support, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Anand has already made invaluable contributions to the School, having served as a Consultant since May 1, 2024. In this capacity, she has played a critical role in advancing curriculum development, policy recommendations, and ensuring that our accreditation timelines are met. Her leadership has been instrumental in maintaining the high standards of our educational programs.
Dr. Anand brings a wealth of experience across all parts of the education continuum, including in her roles as Provincial Undergraduate Director for Family Medicine, Provincial Curriculum Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program and various Faculty Development roles, where she created innovative and responsive curriculum for family medicine teachers. On the national stage, she co-chaired the National Orientation to Leadership in Family Medicine Education, guiding leadership development for Family Medicine educators across Canada. Dr. Anand is also actively involved as a Board Member of the Surrey North Delta Division of Family Practice, in addition to her longitudinal family practice and clinic leadership. Additionally, Dr. Anand is a passionate advocate for integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing into medical education. She has built meaningful relationships with Indigenous Elders and physicians, ensuring that our curriculum reflects these critical perspectives while fostering inclusivity and anti-oppressive practices.
Dr. Anand鈥檚 commitment to excellence in medical education, her collaborative leadership, and her dedication to supporting learners at all stages of the education continuum including community-based family physicians make her an ideal fit for this role.
Dr. Manpreet (Micky) Cooner
Clinical Site Director
Dr. Manpreet (Micky) Cooner is an experienced family physician, educator, and leader currently serving as the Clinical Site Director for the 大象传媒 School of Medicine, a role she assumed in January 2025. With a rich background in family medicine, Dr. Cooner has been practicing at Hilltop Medical Clinic in White Rock since 2012 and is also a teaching faculty member at the University of British Columbia's Department of Family Medicine. She has held several leadership positions and is now the Vice Chair of the White Rock-South Surrey Division of Family Practice and previously worked as an Academic GP and Educator at the University of Birmingham, UK from 2000 to 2012. She is passionate about medical education and women's health as well as breaking down barriers in health care. Through her leadership at 大象传媒, Dr. Cooner is dedicated to shaping the next generation of medical professionals and advancing the mission of the medical school.
Christine Burnell
Executive Director, Operations
Prior to joining the School of Medicine, Christine spent six years as the director, operations and administration with the Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Before moving to Saskatchewan, Christine spent her lengthy career in post-secondary education in Ontario at the University of Toronto, York University and Ontario Tech University starting in student advising and growing into leadership and senior leadership roles. Christine is currently completing her MBA and has extensive experience in leading the strategic planning, finance, human resources, information technology, communications, project management and administration functions within large complex organizations.
Team
Amanda Willis
Associate Director, Education Solutions
Amy Yang
Administrative Coordinator
Angelus Gerlich-Fitzgerald
Executive Assistant to Senior Advisor to the Provost & VP Academic
Ava Toroghi
Manager, Staff Affairs
Brad Renney
Medical Education Technology Administrator
Brian Kwok
Director of Finance
Catherine Tarimo
Senior Policy Analyst
Chantelle Darred
Associate Director, Accreditation
Courtney Brown
Administrative Coordinator
Dana Andrews
Director, CQI & Evaluation
David Evans
Director, Communications & Marketing
Derek Balay
Director, Medical Education Technology
Diana Yu
Associate Director, Teaching Operations
Diane Pereira
Communications Officer
Ella Ermolenko
Coordinator, Finance & Research Administration
Emily Pedlar
Project Manager, UGME Accreditation
Eva Yap
Curriculum Coordinator
Jade Tran
Administrative Coordinator
Jan Louis Evangelista
Technical Support Specialist
Jinny Sim
Associate Director, Learner Recruitment
Joban Machhiana
Administrative Coordinator
Justy Chow
Executive Assistant to Associate Dean, Medical Education Programs
Justin Boehringer
Associate Director, Indigenous Perspectives
Kathryn Maskell
Project Manager, PGME Accreditation
Kristan Ash
Director, Operations
Linda Jiang
Executive Assistant
Margaret English
Senior Director, Health Partnerships
Marissa Wilkinson
Director, Learner Affairs
Martine Janicki
Senior Director, Technical Operations & Facilities
Maya Piddocke
Director, Technical Operations
Meagan Budgell
Administrative Coordinator
Megan Yamamoto
大象传媒s Officer
Melanie Brown
Director, Faculty & Staff Affairs
Nancy Cardozo
Senior Director, Advancement
Niyati Kasana
Director, Assessment & Academic Success
Nusaibah Husain
Administrative Coordinator
Priyadarshini Balaraman
Manager, Medical Education Facilities
Rachel Lowry
Director, Advancement
Rachel Sze
Executive Assistant to Executive Director, Operations
Rachel Tong
Executive Assistant to Associate Dean, Indigenous Health
Reetu Sidhu
Coordinator, Finance & Research Administration
Sandeep Dhillon
Senior Financial Analyst
Stephanie Jackson
Administrative Coordinator
Steve Birnie
Senior Director, Medical Education Operations
Tracy Yiu
Associate Director, 大象传媒s & Records
Uzo Eyisi
Business Analyst
Valerie Cross
Director, Community Engagement
Wassym Zaz
Project Manager, Medical Education Technology
Yan Huang
Manager, Operations & Administrative Services
The 大象传媒 School of Medicine team graciously acknowledges and thanks Dr. Roger Strasser, interim dean, Dr. Sarah Strasser, interim vice-dean, and Dr. Jon Meddings, former Dean of the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, for their expertise, consultation and leadership for initial planning, accreditation and curriculum planning work on the business case proposal.