"Dr. Walker is an internationally respected expert on medical education. He shares our vision of a medical school that will build on York’s strengths of interdisciplinary education, innovation, global reach and social commitment," said Shoukri.  “His combined academic and medical experience make him an ideal architect to build a plan that could lead to a viable medical school model.”

The York University Academic Plan 2005-2010 calls for the development of a medical school proposal. Walker will play a lead role in turning the vision articulated in the University’s Academic Plan into the reality of a proposed plan.  He brings to the task his experience as a medical educator, as former Dean of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine and his current participation in the University of Ottawa's Academy for Innovation in Medical Education.

As Special Advisor on Medical Education, Office of the President, Walker ultimately will propose a viable plan for a medical school which will be a major contribution towards meeting the ever growing health care needs of our expanding and diverse communities.  Walker will be working for York University on a consulting basis while continuing as a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

"I look forward to working with Dr Shoukri and his colleagues to help advance the case for an innovative medical school at York University,” said Walker. “I am excited by the possibilities that this opportunity offers.”

Walker earned his doctor of medicine (MD) degree in 1972 from the University of Ottawa.  He also holds degrees in both internal medicine (FRCPC) and endocrinology (CSPQ).  In addition to teaching medicine at the University of Ottawa, Walker has held a range of professional positions including Head of the Department of Medicine at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and Chair of the Council of Faculties of Medicine (COFM) of Ontario.  Walker also recently led a technical working group for scaling up health worker education and training in developing countries; this project was sponsored by the World Health Organization.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

- 30 - 

Contact:

Alex Bilyk

Director, Media Relations

York University

(416) 736-5603