Dr. John Yoo has been named Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Andrew Hrymak announced today.
Dr. Yoo has an international reputation as a pioneering surgeon and an exemplary academic and clinical leader. He currently serves Western as Interim Chair/Chief of the Department of Paediatrics, as Fellowship Director for the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and as a Professor of Otolaryngology and Oncology. Prior to these roles, Dr. Yoo served as Chair/Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery for 10 years.
“Our unanimous decision to appoint Dr. Yoo 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,” said Andrew Hrymak, Western’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic). “John brings the right mix of values, experience and vision to help realize Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s potential as a pre-eminent medical and dental school.”
Dr. Yoo will step into his new role as Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s next Dean on May 1, 2020.
“I am excited by the incredible talent and capacity of our faculty, students, and community. I am excited that I will be in a position to advocate and promote the amazing teaching and research that our School does,” said Dr. Yoo, who joined Western in 1997 after earning his MD and completing his residency at the University of Toronto. “I have had the great benefit of working hand-in-hand with a broad array of clinicians and scientists within our School. I would ask my colleagues to remain engaged, curious, and passionate in this most important privilege that we have been given: of mentoring the next generation, of advancing new knowledge for the benefit of the world, and for improving the care of the next patients we help.”
As a surgeon, Dr. Yoo pioneered and popularized a technique for reconstructive facial surgery that has been adopted around the world. He has served as Co-Chair of the London Health Sciences Centre’s Facial Nerve Clinic since 2007. Today, in addition to his academic, leadership and clinical roles, Dr. Yoo serves as the Co-chair of Cancer Care Ontario Head and Neck Cancer Disease Site, is the President-elect of the Canadian Association of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and is an executive board member with the Canadian Association of Otolaryngology and the Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery, and he was the longest-serving Chair of the Canadian Chairs of Otolaryngology.
“I want to thank Provost Hrymak and the selection committee for their excellent work during the past 14 months to identify and evaluate a strong pool of candidates,” said Western’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Alan Shepard. “In choosing Dr. Yoo as our next Dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, we’ve appointed a highly accomplished surgeon and academic leader whose intelligence, drive and collaborative style will help elevate our medical and dental school to the next level.”
Dr. Yoo’s appointment follows former Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Dean Dr. Michael J. Strong, who became the President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in October 2018. Dr. Davy Cheng has graciously served as Acting Dean since Dr. Strong’s departure.
**Please note, Dr. Yoo is only available for media interviews on January 7, 2020**
MEDIA CONTACT: Crystal Mackay, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, t. 519.661.2111 ext. 80387, c. 519.933.5944, crystal.mackay@schulich.uwo.ca @CrystalMackay
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Western University delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.
ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.
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