"Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine"

Transforming healthcare ... Optimizing the health and well-being of patients and communities.

Appointment Rank and Type: Clinical Academic Appointments as Limited Term Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, or a Continuing Associate Professor or Professor or a Tenured Appointment at the rank of Associate or Professor.

Number of Positions: One

Closing Date to Apply: Consideration of applications will begin on March 16, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2026 or as negotiated.

Vacancy Disclosure Statement: This position is an existing vacancy.

Position Profile: The Department of Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, is inviting applications for the Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine. The Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine was established to honour Dr. McWhinney who was the first Professor of Family Medicine in Canada and the first Chair of the Department of Family Medicine. The successful candidate will be expected to have a thriving, well-funded research program in Family Medicine and will be appointed to the Department of Family Medicine with a potential joint appointment in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics or cross appointment(s) in other relevant departments.

Academic and Clinical Expectations: A successful candidate with an MD or equivalent and eligible to practice medicine in Ontario will be considered for Limited Term Clinical Academic appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate, or a Continuing Clinical Academic appointment at the rank of Associate or Professor based on their experience, academic record, and stage of career progression.
A successful candidate who is not eligible to practice medicine in Ontario and holds a PhD and MD or equivalent will hold a Tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Professor based on their experience, academic record, and stage of career progression.
This is research-intensive position with significant protected time for research, therefore the successful candidate may or may not be a practicing physician, although ideally would have some engagement in family practice. The Chairholder will be committed to academic activity and program development within family medicine research. The Chairholder will also have education (undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate) and administrative duties and expectations as determined by the Department(s) and aligned with clinical (as applicable) and research interests of the successful candidate. If the chairholder is a practicing family physician, clinical work and learner supervision, aligned with their interests, will be expected.

Qualifications: Candidates holding an MD or equivalent must have a robust research program that also provides sufficient time to practise as a family physician and also hold certification, or be eligible for certification, from the College of Family Physicians of Canada and be eligible for licensure in the Province of Ontario. A candidate holding a relevant Master’s or PhD degree is preferred.
For candidates holding an MD or equivalent and not eligible to practice medicine in Ontario, a relevant PhD is required.
Any successful candidate will have at least 5 years experience as an independent scientist or researcher with a well-established research program. The chairholder will be expected to have an excellent publication record and documented success at securing internal and external research grant support. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated excellence in Family Medicine, Primary Care, Medical Education, and/or Health Services Research with long-term engagement with family medicine and/or primary care.

Compensation Details: The Chair appointment is for a five-year period, with the possibility of renewal for one additional term pending review recommendation. Compensation will be commensurate with appointment type, qualifications and experience. This endowed chair has substantial resources that allows for significant salary/benefits and research support for the successful candidate.
If the successful candidate is an MD appointed as a Clinical Academic their compensation will be based on qualifications and experience and will be composed primarily of the following sources: clinical income, alternative funding plan, and/or salary support.
If the successful candidate holds a PhD and MD and is appointed to a Tenured appointment, the salary range for this position will be $160,000.00 - $210,000.00 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To apply: Interested candidates should send a letter of intent that includes a) an overview of past research and description of proposed research plan, b) plan to build collaborations, networks, and knowledge translation locally and beyond, c) history and commitment to mentorship, d) statement on commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, along with a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three referees. Please complete, sign and include the appropriate form from the following links:
If practicing MD: http://uwo.ca/facultyrelations/physicians/Application_FullTime_Clinical.pdf
or
If candidate holds a PhD and MD: http://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/careers/full-time-application-form-new.pdf
to:
Committee Co-Chairs, Dr. Ian McWhinney Chair in Family Medicine
Scott McKay, MD, CCFP(COE) FCFP
Dale Laird, PhD, FCAHS
Linda Gough via e-mail: lgough4@uwo.ca
Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
1465 Richmond St.
London, Ontario CANADA N6G 2M1
Applications should be compiled into a single PDF prior to submission.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to Dr. Scott McKay at smckay28@uwo.ca prior to applying, if desired.

Posting number: 2026-044-CL