Vice-Dean of Education

Shirley Schipper, MD, CCFP, FCFP

Shirley Schipper

Dr. Shirley Schipper completed medical school and family medicine residency training at the University of Alberta. She is 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 where she previously served as Academic and Medical Director for more than 15 years.

Nationally, Dr. Schipper was on the Board of Directors and is a 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 physician 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 their absence as delegated.
  • Chair:
    • Faculty Learning Committee
    • Committee of Associate Deans, Education
  • Voting member:
    • Dean's Executive Committee
    • Executive Chairs' Committee
    • Faculty Space Planning 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.
  • Assist programs in maintaining education accreditation standards in all programs.
  • Ensure effective coordination among the numerous partners (internal and external) in the delivery of education services.
  • Establish a vibrant medical education research program.
  • Represent the education mission on the Faculty Executive and Faculty Council Committees.
  • Direct all processes for academic integrity, academic appeals and practicum intervention appeals.

Organization Chart