50 years of family medicine at the U of A
24 October 2023
Department of Family Medicine chair Tina Korownyk.
This year, we celebrate the first 50 years of family medicine as an official discipline at the University of Alberta.
The Department of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry first opened its doors to students in 1983, but family medicine had officially been a division in the Department of Community Medicine since 1973.
Family medicine at the U of A has grown from 20 rotating interns in 1973 to more than 160 family medicine residents in 2023.
Today, the Department of Family Medicine offers both urban and rural streams. In addition to the two-year program required for certification in family medicine, one-year specializations are offered in addiction medicine, emergency medicine, care of the elderly, family practice anesthesia, palliative care and sport and exercise medicine. Programs are also offered in occupational medicine and family medicine obstetrics.
Family medicine residents and faculty also have opportunities to develop research and scholarly skills. Research programs cover health services, medical education, care of the elderly, distinct populations and research related to the discipline of family medicine.
“The people in our department — both staff and faculty — are passionate about education and improving the practice of family medicine through the use of best evidence,” says department chair and professor Tina Korownyk.
“We are celebrating 50 years of our department, but more importantly, we are celebrating the vibrant, innovative and enthusiastic people in our department and throughout our communities, diligently working to improve the care of all Albertans. They are an extraordinary group of people — a group I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of,” says Korownyk.
On Oct. 27, invited guests from across the department's community will gather for a dinner celebration honouring its golden jubilee. Three past chairs will join Korownyk in reflecting on this milestone, as will retired faculty members travelling from abroad to attend. Vice-dean of faculty affairs Dennis Kunimoto and deputy dean Tom Stelfox will be present, along with dean Brenda Hemmelgarn, to extend their congratulations, as will representatives from the Alberta College of Family Physicians.
Family medicine’s first 50 years at the U of A is a story of strong leadership, continuous learning and inquiry, and improving the health and lives of families across Alberta and beyond.
Here are six stories and researchers that show the depth of family medicine at the U of A:
Celebrating a passionate advocate for people living on the margins of society
Read about Jessica Kirkwood’s commitment to the health of Edmonton’s inner-city population.
Better at bedtime? Why a Canadian study is testing a novel approach to blood pressure medication
Read about Scott Garrison’s research.
Innovator Spotlight: Jessica Kolopenuk
Read about Jessica Kolopenuk’s Indigenous health research.
CHANGE Adventure Camp goes viral: Doug Klein chats with Lisa MacGregor about his initiative to get people moving and how it's changed amid COVID-19.
Watch on Global News.
Managing caregiver relationships as a competency
Read about Jasneet Parmar’s research in improving the role of family caregivers.
David Pontin, family physician and assistant program director - rural at the University of Alberta, is recognized as one of Canada’s family physicians of the year.