NORTHERN ONTARIO—The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) is thrilled to welcome Dr. Joseph LeBlanc, a member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT) as the organization’s new vice-president of social accountability.
Dr. LeBlanc is the Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion and Assistant Professor, Indigenous Health at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, roles that he will continue to hold concurrently with AFMC. He is a lifelong Northern Ontarian and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.
As a member of the AFMC leadership team Dr. LeBlanc will spearhead the implementation of the organization’s strategic priorities related to social accountability and ensure that AFMC committees and networks are effectively supported in this work. This includes continued efforts to strengthen anti-racism, Indigenous health, Black health, Francophone representation and planetary health within Canada’s medical schools.
“I am honoured to join the AFMC in this groundbreaking role,” said Dr. LeBlanc in a release. “The leadership and advocacy of this group has helped to pave the way for excellence in medical education in this country. As we all take the next steps towards health equity for every Canadian, I will contribute all I can to the critical collaborative work being done to move us all forward toward a healthier future.”
Dr. LeBlanc has extensive experience in promoting equity, increasing diversity, and strengthening the approach to social accountability in medical education. He has received several awards including a Top 20 under 40 Northwestern Ontario Visionary Award and a Forty under 40 Northern Ontario Business Award. Dr. LeBlanc is passionate about community health and well-being and is recognized as a leading expert in Indigenous food systems and community development in Canada.
“Joseph’s contributions in this field are invaluable and we are extremely lucky to have him join our team,” said AFMC President and CEO, Dr. Connie LeBlanc (no relation to Dr. Joseph LeBlanc). “His deep expertise in policy and community healthy will be instrumental in advancing social accountability within Canadian medical schools, ultimately benefiting all Canadians.”
“NOSM University is proud of Dr. LeBlanc and his appointment at this senior level within such an important and influential national organization,” said Dr. Sarita Verma, president, vice-chancellor, Dean and Chief Executive Officer. “As a vice-president in this inaugural role, he brings wonderful interpersonal and organizational skills, wisdom, and true authenticity to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. He will champion the voice of academic medicine in Canada and help us to meet our collective mandate to be socially accountable.”
