It is an honour to serve as Director of the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE), in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at º«¹úÂãÎè. Reflecting on the last few years, I am deeply inspired by the vibrant and diverse community that forms the backbone of this Institute – scholars, researchers, educators, clinicians, learners, administrators, collaborators, friends and supporters. We are united in our shared commitment to advancing research and innovation in health sciences education, and in recognizing its critical role in shaping the future of healthcare and the healthcare workforce. I am equally excited about the opportunities and transformative work that lies ahead.
In 2025, we celebrate an incredible milestone: the 50th anniversary of our work to advance scholarship and innovation in medical, health professions, and health sciences education at º«¹úÂãÎè. This work began in 1975 with the launch of the Centre for Medical Education, which in 2019, became the IHSE, the first research institute of its kind in Canada. The 50th anniversary is a landmark achievement which underscores º«¹úÂãÎè’s enduring legacy as a global leader in health sciences education research and innovation. Throughout the year, we will be marking this momentous occasion with a series of exciting events and initiatives to honour our history, celebrate our community’s contributions, and look ahead to the next 50 years of impact and excellence. I invite you all to join us in celebrating this remarkable journey.
Over the past few years, the IHSE has continued to thrive and achieve extraordinary success. Our community has been at the forefront of medical, health professions and health sciences education research, driving innovation and producing groundbreaking work that has shaped educational practices, informed policy, improved patient care and enhanced healthcare systems across the country and around the world. IHSE members have made significant contributions to understanding and improving clinical and professional education, bringing patient voices to the table, fostering humanistic and equitable approaches to care, improving healthcare systems, and developing new frameworks for assessment, simulation-based learning, clinical reasoning, reflective practice, faculty development, peer mentorship, curriculum design, peer mentorship and much more. These achievements reflect the exceptional talent, dedication and collaborative spirit of our community.
This period of growth and accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of so many. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our benefactors and donors, whose generosity enables us to pursue transformative projects, and to our past leaders, whose vision laid the foundation for all that we have accomplished. I am also grateful to the leadership group, whose expertise and collaborative spirit have significantly strengthened our capacity to lead and innovate.
As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we will host the 2025 Richard and Sylvia Cruess Symposium on Scholarship in Health Sciences Education. This event will build on the success of last year's inaugural symposium to foster knowledge exchange, and to shine a spotlight on the remarkable contributions in medical and health sciences education research and innovation at º«¹úÂãÎè and beyond. The symposium will offer an extraordinary opportunity to look back and reflect on our collective achievements, and to engage in meaningful dialogue together about the future of our field. We warmly invite you to join us, and we look forward to celebrating with you!
Our PhD students in health sciences education represent the future of our field. Their research, creativity and passion are a source of ongoing inspiration. These talented individuals are advancing knowledge, driving innovation and ensuring the continued evolution of evidence-informed knowledge to improve healthcare. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and their role in shaping the future.
As we move forward, the IHSE’s work continues to be anchored in three key pillars: advancing research, enhancing education and fostering community. By driving innovation, improving educational practices and addressing the complexities of healthcare systems, we aim to create transformative impacts that will resonate for generations to come. Our contributions inspire evidence-informed practice, compassionate care, equitable policies and justice-oriented systems, ensuring that health professions education remains at the forefront of healthcare transformation.
To everyone who has supported the IHSE – whether through your time, expertise, resources, or collaboration – a heartfelt thank you. Together, we continue to create a lasting impact, building on 50 years of history while shaping an extraordinary future for health sciences education research and innovation locally, nationally and around the world.
Elizabeth Anne Kinsella, PhD
Director, Institute of Health Sciences Education
Ìý