Dr. Stella Ng appointed newest chair at St. Michael’s

Dr. Stella Ng, director of research at the Centre for Faculty Development, has been appointed as the Arrell Family Chair in Health Professionals Teaching.

The chair is jointly held between St. Michael’s Hospital and the University of Toronto and is for a five-year term, effective April 22.

In this chair position, Dr. Ng will use her research to bridge the best of both worlds – excellent education and high quality care. Leveraging the clinical environment and broader hospital community, Dr. Ng will study, create, implement, test and optimize how we teach health professionals for and in real contexts of care.

“I’m honoured by this appointment. The vision for this chair is for health professions education to lead the way toward better care. Compassionate, excellent care for all is possible, and education offers a key mechanism to achieve this important though elusive goal,” said Dr. Ng.

“Stella uses her research to develop and improve health professions teaching approaches. I’m excited that this chair will enable her, and St. Michael’s, to bring the best teaching and learning knowledge to bear on the care of our patients and communities,” said Bev Bulmer, vice-president of Education.

Informed by her research, Dr. Ng leads and develops curricula, for clinicians and faculty, from local level to massive open online courses to support health professionals in being reflective practitioners and agents of change. She sits on a provincial practice advisory committee to set standards, partners with several health professions associations to mobilize knowledge, and consults internationally to inform a clinical teacher education program.

The Arrell Family Chair in Health Professionals Teaching was made possible by Anne and Tony Arrell, former chair of the St. Michael’s Board of Directors.

“St. Michael’s Hospital is very important to my family. Anne and I have been privileged to be a part of the life-saving work that happens here for many years. When you have experienced success in your life, it is important to give back. Creating the Arrell Family Chair in Health Professionals Teaching brings together two of my special interests – health care and education – in a way that, we hope, will benefit clinicians and those who need their help for years to come,” said Tony Arrell.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, and care of the homeless are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Center, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.