Leaving a Leadership Role and Retirements
Leaving a leadership Role
The success of the Department of Medicine is made possible by the dedicated leaders who help guide its many programs, divisions, and initiatives. Recognizing that leadership is a collective effort, the department took time to honour faculty members who recently stepped down from leadership roles.
Their contributions have helped shape the department and strengthen its community, leaving a lasting impact on colleagues, learners, and patients alike.
You have heard me say many, many times that leading a department as large and complex as ours isn’t something one person can do alone. There are a lot of moving parts, and I rely heavily on the strength and support of the leadership team around me to keep everything running.
Thank you, Jacques, for your dedication, service, and the many ways you have supported our department over the years.
- Dr. Narmin Kassam, Chair, Department of Medicine
Retirements
While retirement is certainly something to celebrate, it’s also a moment of reflection and gratitude for the years of service, leadership, mentorship, and dedication these individuals have given throughout their careers.
Asha Rao, François Bouman, and Dr. Narmin Kassam
François Bouman, academic department manager, Department of Medicine
After more than two decades at the University of Alberta, including 18 years with the Department of Medicine, François Bouman is retiring following a career marked by expertise, leadership, and dedicated service.
Throughout his time at the University, François developed an exceptional understanding of institutional operations, policies, and processes. As academic department manager, he played a key role in overseeing the Department's administrative functions and supporting major initiatives and transitions, including the implementation of the provincial academic funding plan, Service Excellence Transformation, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Widely respected for his expertise in academic agreements, financial oversight, and policy interpretation, François became a trusted resource within the Department, across the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, and among external partners. His ability to navigate complex issues, provide historical context, and identify practical solutions helped inform decision-making and strengthen departmental operations.
His contributions have left a lasting impact on the Department of Medicine, the Faculty, and the University community.
Dr. Robert Hayward and Dr. Jennifer Ringrose
Dr. Robert Hayward, professor emeritus, Division of General Internal Medicine
The Department of Medicine celebrated the remarkable career of Dr. Rob Hayward, a physician, educator, and pioneer in digital health whose work has transformed healthcare delivery and evidence-based medicine in Alberta and beyond.
After completing his medical degree at Queen’s University, internal medicine training at the University of Alberta, and a Master of Public Health in informatics at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Hayward built a career focused on bringing the best medical evidence directly to patient care. Returning to the University of Alberta in 1997, he founded the Centre for Health Evidence, creating innovative virtual learning tools and advancing health evidence literacy for healthcare professionals.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hayward led numerous digital health initiatives, developed healthcare software solutions, and served in key leadership roles, including Associate Dean of Clinical Informatics and Chief Medical Information Officer for Alberta Health Services during the implementation of Connect Care. His contributions have left a lasting impact on healthcare, education, and clinical informatics across the province.
While retiring from the University of Alberta, Dr. Hayward will continue his clinical and informatics work, extending a legacy of innovation and service.
Dr. Wendy Johnston and Dr. Cecile Phan
Dr. Wendy Johnston, professor emerita, Division of Neurology
The Department of Medicine celebrated the remarkable career of Dr. Wendy Johnston, whose contributions as a clinician, researcher, educator, and advocate have transformed neurological care in Alberta.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Johnston became synonymous with excellence in ALS care. She established and led a multidisciplinary ALS program that set a new standard for comprehensive, patient-centred care, ensuring that individuals and families facing this challenging disease had access to coordinated expertise, support, and hope.
Dr. Johnston also played a pivotal role in advancing ALS research, bringing innovative clinical trials to Alberta and helping patients gain access to emerging therapies. Her work contributed to international efforts to improve outcomes for people living with ALS.
Equally significant is her legacy as an educator and mentor. She has trained generations of medical students, residents, fellows, and healthcare professionals, inspiring countless learners through her clinical expertise, compassion, and commitment to patient care.
Her lasting impact can be seen in the programs she built, the research she advanced, the learners she mentored, and the countless patients and families whose lives she touched.
We also recognize the following faculty members who were unable to attend our celebration dinner but whose careers have left a meaningful mark on our Department, our learners, and our patients:
