Cynthia Whitehead

EDUCATION
2011.  PhD, Medical Education.  Thesis:  The ‘Good Doctor’ in Medical Education 1910-2010:  A critical discourse analysis. Graduate Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Supervisor(s): Dr. Zubin Austin, Faculty of Pharmacy.

2008.  Master of Science in Community Health (MScCH), Health Practitioner Teacher Education (HPTE) stream. Focus on Interprofessional Education. Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Supervisor(s): Dr. Helen Batty.

1987.  MD, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

1984.  A.B. Honors, Magna Cum Laude, Social Studies (interdisciplinary major in history, political science, philosophy, social theory), Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.

CURRENT APPOINTMENTS

2019 Jul - present. Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

2017 May 22 - present. Honorary appointment, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.

2016 Dec - present. Canadian co-lead, Master of Health Sciences Education, Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2016 Jan 01 – present.  BMO Financial Group Chair in Health Professions Education Research, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2015 Sep 01 - present.  Director, The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, at University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2015 Sep 01 - present.  Scientist, The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, at University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2014 Jul - present.  Vice-President, Education, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2013 Jan - present.     Associate Professor (Status-Only), School of Graduate Studies, Public Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2012 Jul - present.  Clinician Scientist, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2011 Dec - present.  Scientist, Centre for Ambulatory Care Education (CACE), Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2011 Nov 1 - present.  Clinical Researcher, Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1990 - present.  Active Staff and Clinical Teacher, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
CLINICAL
2007 - 2009.  Wound Healing Team Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2001 - 2004.  Most Responsible Physician, Stroke Day Hospital Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2001 - 2004.  Most Responsible Physician, Acquired Brain Injury Day Hospital Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1998 - 2010.  Most Responsible Physician, Stroke Rehabilitation In-Patient Unit Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1991 - 2001.  Geriatric Day Hospital Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1990 - 1998.  Most Responsible Physician, Geriatric Rehabilitation In-Patient Unit Clinician, Teacher & Team Member, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

UNIVERSITY
2013 Aug 1 - 2014 Apr 30.  Acting Chair, Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2012 Dec - 2015 Sep.  Cross-Appointed Scientist, The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2011 Jul - 2019.  Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

2011 Dec - 2012 Dec.  Educator Researcher, The Wilson Centre for Research in Education, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2011 - 2012.  Clinician Educator, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2010 Sep - 2014 Jun.  Vice Chair Education, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2010 Jul - 2012 Jun.  Collaborator Lead, Undergraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

2006 - 2010.  Programme Director, Family and Community Medicine, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1990 - 2011.  Clinician Teacher, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

UNIVERSITY - RANK
2006 Jul 1 - 2011 Jun.  Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

1990 - 2006.  Lecturer, Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

OTHER
1982 - 1983.  English Teacher, Beijing Institute of Posts and Telecommunications. Teaching conversational English to telecommunications engineers from across China.

Research Synopsis

I conduct critical social science research, interrogating various aspects of health professions education.  I frequently use Foucauldian critical discourse analysis in my work.  Some recent areas of research interest and focus include the history of medical education, globalization of medical education, caring and compassion in health professions education and practice, and interprofessional collaboration.  

Honours and Awards

Name:
Description:

DISTINCTIONS AND RESEARCH AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL
Received

Jan. Short Communications Presentation Merit Award, Co-Author 16th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference, Singapore.
Awarded for presentation of “Different ways of knowing: Questioning the evidence behind IPE and IPC” by Paradis E, Whitehead C.

2018 Jan Best ePoster Presenter Merit Award, Co-Author, 15th Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference, Singapore. Awarded for presentation of “Beyond the lamppost: A proposal for a fourth wave of education for collaboration” by Paradis E, Whitehead C.

2017 Jan Best Oral Presenter Merit Award, Co-Author, 14thAsia Pacific Medical Education Conference, Singapore. Awarded for presentation of “Lessons from an analysis of 50 years of writing about collaboration in Medical Education” by Paradis E, Pipher M, Cartmill C, Rangel JC, Whitehead CR.

2016 Jan.  APMEC Merit Award for First Author of ePoster, received for highest rated poster in Session 5A-4. A Telling Absence: Power and Conflict in IPE Articles, 1945-2013 (Whitehead C, Paradis E). Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference.

2015 Sep.  AMEE Research Paper Award for Excellence in Medical Education Research, Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) Research Committee.
            
NATIONAL
Received

2018 Nov Canadian Women in Global Health (CWIGH) List of Canadian Women Leaders in Global Health, Canadian Society for International Health.
The aim of CWIGH is to increase the visibility, representation and leadership of women in global health. Successful nominees will be featured on a document to assist journal editors, conference organizers, funders, policy makers, and other institutions in broadening and diversifying their networks.

2017 CAME Certificate of Merit Award, University of Toronto recipient, Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME).
The CAME Certificate of Merit was established to promote, recognize and reward faculty members committed to advancing medical education in Canada.

2009.  Strategic Training Fellowship, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Strategic Training Program: Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research - Primary Health Care (TUTOR PHC). Total Amount: 4,500 CAD.

PROVINCIAL / REGIONAL
Received
2012 Jul - 2014 Jun    AMS Phoenix Fellowship, Associated Medical Services (AMS) (Research Award). Total Amount: 50,000 CAD.

Nominated
2010.  Residency Program Excellence Award, Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO).

2008.  Residency Program Excellence Award, Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO).

LOCAL (TORONTO, ON, CANADA)
Received

2018. Massey College Senior Fellow, Massey College in the University of Toronto.

2016.  Award of Excellence in Research, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2013.  Interprofessional Education Award, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto. Awarded for WCH Family Practice Elder Care Team (Distinction).

2011.  Academic Family Physician of the Year, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2011.  Medical Staff Association Service Award, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University of Toronto (Service Award).

2010.  Contribution to Interprofessional Education Team Award, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Distinction).

2010.  Excellence in Education Award for Education Innovation, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2010.  Mentorship award, Professional Development, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2009.  Postgraduate Program Leadership Award, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2008.  Excellence in Leadership Award, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

Nominated
2016.  Award of Excellence in Research Excellence (Senior Category), Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

2011.  Postgraduate Achievement Award for Role Modeling Clinical Excellence, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto (Distinction).

Grants

PEER-REVIEWED GRANTS
FUNDED

2018 Oct - 2020 Sep. Co-Investigator & Senior Advisor.Teaching poverty, social determinants, and social accountability. University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Education Development Fund. Principal Investigators: Green S, Goel R, Ernst E. Co-Investigators: Whitehead C, Wright S. Collaborators: Bloch G, Eibisch L, Sharma M, Harriott D, Beder M, Haidar M, Weyman K. 19,978 CAD. Grant.

Oct - 2019 Dec. Co-Investigator. University College London-University of Toronto Collaborative Research Project in International Medical Education. University College London Medical School Research Department of Medical Education and Medical School Education Consultancy. PI(s): Hodges B, Gill D. Co-Investigators: Whitehead C, Martimianakis T, Griffin A, Rashid A. 27,917 CAD. Grant.

2017 Oct - 2018 Sep. Co-Investigator.A dialogical approach to person-centered care. Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Picker Gold Challenge Grant for Residency Training Program. Principal Investigators: Kuper A, Richardson L. Co-Investigators: Kumagai A, Whitehead C, Wright S. 25,000 USD. Grant.

2017 Mar - 2018 Mar. Co-Investigator.Developing pedagogy and tools for dialogic teaching and learning in the clinical setting. Women’s College Hospital, Centre for Ambulatory Care Education (CACE). Principal Investigators: Kuper A, Wright S. Co-Investigators: Gold K, Kumagai A, Ng S, Nyhof-Young J, Richardson L, Whitehead C. 5,500 CAD. Grant.

2016 Sep – 2018 Aug.  Principal Investigator. Leveraging accreditation standards to promote compassion in education and practice. Associated Medical Services (AMS) Inc., Invitational Call to Caring Project Grant. PI(s): Whitehead C. Co-Investigators: Kuper A, Richardson L, Rowland P, Spadoni M, Paradis E, Chapman L. $39,713 CAD. [Grant]

2016 Aug – 2017 Jul.  Co-Investigator. A case study of advanced post-licensure quality improvement and patient safety education. Medical Education Research Grant (MERG), Education Research Development, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. PI(s): Goldman J. Co-Investigators: Jeffs L, Kuper A, Whitehead CR. [Grant]

2016 Jul – 2017 Jun.  Co-Investigator. An Integrated Spiral Curriculum Across the Medical Education Continuum to Support the Understanding and Delivery of, and Advocacy for, Compassionate, Person-Centred Care. Associated Medical Services Inc. (AMS), Invitational Call to Caring Project Grant. PI(s): Kuper A. Co-Investigators: Bourns A, Bryden P, Dubinsky I, Goguen J, Hall P, Kumagai A, Law M, Lazor J, Maniate J, Myloupolos M, Najeeb U, Panisko D, Richardson L, Rowland P, Schreiber M, Sharma M, Whitehead C, Whyte R. $40,000 CAD. [Grant]

2016 Jul – 2017 Jun.  Co-Investigator. Advancing the science and practice of patient engagement in health services organizations. Associated Medical Services Inc. (AMS), Invitational Call to Caring Project Grant. PI(s): Rowland P. Co-Investigator(s): Fancott C, McMillan S, Abelson J, Andress I, Scane K, Hawthornthwaite L, Maybee A, Angl Nicholas E, Tepper J, Whitehead C, Kuper A, Baker GR. $39,968 CAD. [Grant]

2016 Jul - 2021 Jun.  Co-Investigator. The collaborative ideal in Canadian healthcare delivery. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Scheme. PI(s): Paradis E. Co-Investigator(s): Boon H, Nelson S, Spadafora S, Whitehead CR. $300,000 CAD. [Grant]

2016 Jul – 2017 Jun.  Co-Investigator. Understanding alignments between interprofessional education and “High Reliability Organizations”: Implications for curricula and interprofessional development. University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Education Development Fund. PI: Rowland P. Co-Investigators: Ng S, Whitehead CR, Goldman J, Lising D. $3,985 CAD. [Grant]

2016 May - 2016 Aug.  Co-Investigator. Do tomorrow’s doctors have what it takes to provide compassionate care? A textual analysis of accreditation standards. OMSA/Associated Medical Services. Compassionate Care Medical Student Education Research Grant. Student: Amanda Chen. PI: Kuper A. Co-investigator: Whitehead C. 5,000 CAD. [Grant]

2016 Jan - 2017 Jan.  Collaborator. Generalism: looking back to move ahead in curriculum renewal. A critical discourse analysis in undergraduate medical education. University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, ‘Art of the Possible’ Education Scholarship Grant. PI(s): Nutik M. Collaborator(s): Alvi R, Freeman R, Moaveni A, Whitehead C. 4,650 CAD. [Grant]

2015 Dec - 2016 Nov.     Co-Investigator. A programme evaluation of the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration in Emergency Medicine (TAAACEM). University of Toronto, Department of Family & Community Medicine, ‘Art of the Possible’ Education Scholarship Grant. PI(s): Landes M. Co-Investigator(s): Kuper A, Whitehead CR, Hunchak C, Fremes E, Meshkat N, 5,000 CAD. [Grant]

2015 Jul - 2018 Jun.  Co-Investigator. Towards the development of best practices for the assessment of competency in medical education. University of Toronto, Department of Medicine Integrating Challenge Grant. PI(s): Brydges R, Ginsburg S, Kuper A. Co-Investigator(s): Hodges B, Kulasegaram KM, Mylopoulos M, Norman G, Whitehead CR, Woods N. 200,000 CAD. [Grant] 

2015 Jul - 2016 Jun.  Collaborator. Integration & identity: understanding the mechanisms that foster a holistic physician in longitudinal integrated clerkships.  Associated Medical Services Inc. (AMS), Phoenix Project Call to Caring Grant. PI(s): Bernstein S, Kulasegaram K. Co-Investigator(s): Kuper A, Woods N, Hawa R, Hutchinson C, Weyman K. Senior Mentor(s): Martimianakis MA, Mylopoulos  M. Collaborator(s): Clavell N, Graves L, Kaufman A, Nyhof-Young J, Pittini R, Tartaro P, Webster F, Whitehead CR, Wright S. 35,000 CAD. [Grant]

2015 Jul - 2016 Jun.  Co-Investigator. Where is the caring in clinical assessments? Associated  Medical Services Inc. (AMS), Phoenix Project Call to Caring Grant. PI(s): Wright S, Ginsburg S. Co-Investigators: Whitehead CR, Kulasegaram K. 19,881 CAD. [Grant] 

2015 Jul - 2016 Jun.  Collaborator. Relationships as learning: understanding how relationship  building facilitates patient-centered learning in longitudinal integrated clerkships. Education Development Fund, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. PI(s): Hutchinson C, Kulasegaram KM. Co-Investigator(s): Martimianakis T, Mylopoulos M, Bernstein S. Collaborator(s): Weyman K, Pittini R, Nyhof-Young J, Raed H, Graves L, Wright S, Whitehead C, Woods N. $9,937.50 CAD. [Grant]

2015 Apr - 2016 Jan.  Co-Investigator. Learning in place to support aging in place: a virtual home-based homecare curriculum. Ontario Simulation Network (SIM one), Simulation-based continuing inter professional development program in at-home care of seniors. PI(s): Woods N, Ng S. Co-Investigator(s): McKay S, Whitehead C, Rochon P, Jenkins K, Evans C, Hart C, Gold K, Campbell D. 99,353 CAD. [Grant]

2015 Jul - 2016 Jun. Co-Investigator. Teaching the non-Medical Expert CanMEDS roles in postgraduate medical education: curriculum innovation, curriculum evaluation, and realist evaluation of a complex process. University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, Education Scholarship and Research Grants. PI(s): Kuper A. Co-Investigator(s): Whitehead C, Goguen J, Richardson L, Schreiber M, Maniate J, Najeeb U, van Melle E, Sharma 
M, Feilchenfeld Z. 24,998 CAD. [Grant]

2014 Jun - 2015 Sep.  Collaborator. The construction of the Health Advocate Role in Family Medicine and Psychiatry postgraduate curricula. Education Development Fund, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. PI(s): Soklaridis S, Bernard C. Collaborator(s): Whitehead C, Iglar K, Paton M, Fung K, Andermann L, Fefergrad M. 11,020 CAD. [Grant]

2014 Apr - 2016 Mar.  Co-Investigator. Strengthening primary care through family medicine around the world: collaborating towards promising practices. International Development Resource Centre. PI(s): Rouleau K. Co-Investigator(s): Wondimagegn D, Bourget M, Indah R, Maiga M, Godoy-Paiz P, Whitehead C, Wilson L, Redwood-Campbell L, Couturier F, Kapoor V, Lemire F. 60,000 CAD. [Grant]

2013 Oct - 2014 Oct.  Co-Investigator. Developing a Call to Care: Understanding How Family Medicine Residents’ Values Shape their Practice of Patient-Centered Care. Associated Medical Services Inc. (AMS). Phoenix Grant. PI(s): Van Melle E. Co-Investigator(s): Phillips S, Howse K, Joneja M, Cline C, Whitehead C. 40,000 CAD. [Grant]

2013 Jul - 2014 Jun.  Co-Investigator. Teaching the non-Medical Expert CanMEDS Roles: Broadening the Curriculum Beyond Bioscience. Associated Medical Services Inc. (AMS). Phoenix Fellowship. PI(s): Kuper, A. Co-Investigator(s): Whitehead, C. 50,000 CAD. [Fellowship]

2013 Apr - 2016 Mar.  Principal Investigator. Better Education for Better Teamwork: Understanding the Discourses to Improve the Practices of Interprofessional Education. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Operating Grant. PI(s): Whitehead C. Co-Investigator(s): Kuper A, Purkis ME, Boon H, Razack S. Collaborator(s): Reeves S, Nasmith L, Tassone M. 242,261 CAD. [Grant]

2013 Apr - 2014 Mar.  Principal Investigator. Assessing the interest, acceptability, and usability of social networking to support a primary care patient-centred model for vulnerable older adults. Women’s College Hospital (Toronto, ON). Academic Funding Plan (AFP) Innovation Fund. PI(s): Whitehead C. Collaborator(s): Dubrowski A, McCarthy L, Carnahan H, Kapralos B, Cheung JH. 30,000 CAD. [Grant]

2013 Feb - 2014 Jan.  Co-Investigator. Furthering the Foundations for a New System of Care for Vulnerable Older Adults: A Primary Care Team-Based Approach. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Catalyst Grant: Health Services and Systems for an Aging Population. PI: McCarthy, Lisa. Co-Investigator(s): Dunn S, Gruneir A, Moineddin R, Rochon P, Whitehead C. 95,123 CAD. [Grant]

2013 - 2014.  Co-Investigator. Teaching the Intrinsic CanMEDS Roles: Broadening the Curriculum Beyond Bioscience. Department of Medicine, University of Toronto. Dept. of Medicine Educational Scholarship & Research Grants. PI(s): Kuper A. Co-Investigator(s): Goguen J, Schreiber M, Richardson L, Upshur R, Whitehead C. 21,006.4 CAD. [Grant]

2012 Apr - 2014 Mar.  Principal Investigator. Foundations for a primary care patient-centre model for vulnerable older adults. Women’s College Hospital. AFP Innovation Fund. PI(s): Whitehead C. Collaborator(s): Bourgeois N, McCarthy L, Dunn S, Rochon P, O’Brien T, Fernandes L, Novak M. 30,000 CAD. [Grant]

2007 May - 2008 May.  Principal Investigator. Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research - Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC). Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship. PI(s) Whitehead C. 4,500 CAD. [Research Fellowship]

NON PEER-REVIEWED GRANTS
FUNDED
2012 Sep - 2013 Apr.  Co-Investigator. Resident Academic Project Support Website: development and evaluation. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. One-Time Project Fund. PI(s): Webster F. Co-Investigator(s): Krueger P, Iglar K, Law M, Whitehead C. 22,625 CAD. [Grant]

2012 Sep - 2013 Apr.  Co-Investigator. Video observational assessment in family medicine: understanding the mechanisms underlying the innovation. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. One-Time Project Fund. PI(s): Webster F. Co-Investigator(s): Whitehead C, Batty H, Carnahan H, Grundland B, Iglar K, Pimlott N. 8,000 CAD. [Grant]

2012 Sep - 2013 Apr.  Co-Investigator. Evaluation of “Red-Button” Initiative. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto. One-Time Project Fund. PI(s): Webster F. Co-Investigator(s): Krueger P, Iglar K, Whitehead C. 5,900 CAD. [Grant]

2012 Aug - 2017.  Co-Investigator. How do workplace based interventions facilitate integration of internationally educated health professionals in the Canadian workforce? Health Canada and the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. PI(s): Austin Z, Oake W. Co-Investigator(s): Tabak D, McNaughton N, Simmons B, Hynes L, Bystrin M, Whitehead C.  Year 1 approved funding CAD 1,456,515. [Contract]

2012 Jul - 2015 Dec.  Principal Investigator. Discourse analysis of 50 years of Medical Education. Medical Education. PI(s): Whitehead C. Collaborator(s): Martimianakis T, Kuper A. 12,440 CAD. [Contract]

2010 Aug - 2011 Apr.  Co-Principal Investigator. Theme Paper on Teaching and Assessing Non-Medical Expert CanMEDS Roles. Future of Medical Education in Canada (FMEC) Postgraduate Medical Education Project. Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada. PI (s): Whitehead C, Boucher A. Collaborator(s): Frank J, Martin D, Fernandez N, Younker M, Kouz R. 6,000 CAD. [Grant]

2007 Jul - 2011 Jan.  Co-Principal Investigator. Family Medicine Stroke Prevention and Management Education Program Evaluation. Toronto Stroke Network and Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. PI(s): Sahlas J, Whitehead C. Collaborator(s): Chan D. 40,000 CAD. [Grant]