Vice-Dean of Education

Shirley Schipper, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Shirley Schipper

Dr. Shirley Schipper completed her medical education and family medicine residency program at the University of Alberta. She is also a professor with the Department of Family Medicine, where she has successfully held several administration and leadership positions, including Director of Postgraduate Medical Education and Director of Assessment.

Dr. Schipper provides clinical coverage at Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre and served there as Academic and Medical Director for more than 15 years.

Nationally, Dr. Schipper is a current Board Director and past President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). She has worked with both the CFPC and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in the areas of learner assessment, certification and accreditation. She was an Accreditation Survey Chair for the National Accreditation Committee for the CFPC.

Dr. Schipper's areas of interest and expertise include national and international curriculum and program development, competency-based education, mentorship and faculty coaching.

Role of Vice-Dean, Education

Main Accountabilities

  • Provide strategic leadership and advice to the dean and faculty on educational matters.
  • Provide leadership and supervision to ensure that the education obligations of the faculty are met in an effective and efficient manner.
  • Administer student disputes and appeals.
  • Represent the dean in his/her absence as delegated.
  • Chair:
    • Faculty Learning Committee
    • Committee of Associate Deans, Education
  • Voting member:
    • Dean's Executive Committee
    • Executive Chairs' Committee
    • Information Management Steering Committee
    • Faculty Space Committee

Specific responsibilities

  • Supervise the co-ordination and delivery of the education portfolio of the faculty.
  • Develop a resource plan (staffing, financial and infrastructure) to carry out the teaching and education functions of the faculty.
  • Maintain education accreditation standards in all programs.
  • Ensure effective co-ordination among the numerous partners in the delivery of education services.
  • Establish a vibrant medical education research program.
  • Establish a learning resource/education support centre.
  • Represent the education mission on the Faculty Executive and Faculty Management Committees.
  • Develop, implement and evaluate the performance and assessment criteria for the assistant and associate deans with major education portfolios.
  • Direct all processes for academic appeals and practicum intervention appeals.

Organization Chart