Alignment of Medical Library and Simulation Program under Academic Affairs

Shared on behalf of Dr. Naana Jumah, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs 

As part of our continued evolution as an Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), and in alignment with our Academic Mandate, we are pleased to announce the Medical Library and Simulation Program will now formally align under the leadership of Academic Affairs within the overall Medical and Academic Affairs portfolio.

This transition reflects our commitment to strengthening the integration of teaching, research, the academic environment, and clinical care within our organization. Both the Medical Library and Simulation Program are foundational to advancing a high-quality academic environment, supporting learners, clinicians, and staff through access to evidence, knowledge resources, and experiential simulation based education.

We would like to acknowledge the leadership of Dawna Perry in her former role as Senior Director of Nursing, Academics and Practice Excellence for her guidance of these roles and establishing a strong foundation upon which this next phase of alignment is built. Dawna’s contributions have been instrumental in advancing both interprofessional learning and academic engagement across the organization.

Our goal in bringing these functions together within Academic Affairs is to:

  • Enhance coordination of academic resources that support undergraduate, postgraduate, and interprofessional education
  • Strengthen the link between evidence-informed practice, simulation-based learning, and clinical care
  • Support innovation in teaching and research aligned with our AHSC mandate
  • Improve the learner and faculty experience through more cohesive academic programming and support services

From an operational perspective:

  • The Medical Librarian, Cyndy Smith will report to the Manager of Academic Affairs, Karen Anderson
  • The Simulation Program Manager, Leanne Baird will report to the Director of Medical & Academic Affairs, Jennifer Fawcett
  • Both roles will function under the overall strategic guidance of Dr. Naana Jumah as the Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs.

This alignment helps also positions us to better partner with NOSM University, Lakehead University, Confederation College and other academic stakeholders while we continue to support the needs of TBRHSC internal education across disciplines, ensuring that our infrastructure and supports continue to move us forward as a high-functioning academic health sciences centre.