Celebrating Excellence in Leadership

On May 29, 2025, members of the Faculty of Medicine came together to celebrate the outstanding contributions of staff and those in senior academic leadership roles.

The Faculty is committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment—one grounded in respect, well-being, and continuous improvement. Through our Valuing People stream of work, we’re focused on strengthening workplace culture and ensuring the Faculty remains an exceptional place to work and study.

Events like the Awards of Excellence in Leadership ceremony offer a meaningful opportunity to recognize the dedication, leadership, and impact of our community members. They also move us one step closer to building a workplace that prioritizes well-being, professional growth, and collective success.

The individuals recognized at this year’s ceremony exemplify what it means to lead with purpose. They embrace new experiences, seek out opportunities, and contribute to a culture of excellence. 

Read on to learn more about their impressive achievements and the difference they’re making within our Faculty.

The Ryan Clow Team Collaboration Award: MedIT Application Development team

The MedIT Application Development team has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and collaboration in advancing the Dalhousie Medicine Admissions Application Platform on DalMedix. Their efforts have been vital in supporting the Faculty’s evolving needs—including new admissions pathways, increased enrolment, and campus expansion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the team responded quickly and effectively, pivoting the admissions process to virtual interviews while maintaining secure, accurate, and efficient data collection. 

Each team member brings unique strengths:

• Ron Soper has been a cornerstone of IT expertise for the Admissions Office, known for his critical thinking, responsiveness, and ability to troubleshoot even the most complex technical issues. 

• Tim Jordan, as lead application developer, has set the standard for DalMedix development, ensuring seamless integration of communications across the Faculty. 

• Natasha Mills, the newest team member, has already made a major impact. Her proactive approach to problem-solving and her work on projects like the National Exam Bank for Obstetrics and Gynecology are a testament to her skills.  

• Chris Emeneau, the systems administrator, keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. His deep institutional knowledge and technical expertise are essential to the platform’s success.

Beyond admissions, their work has enhanced systems across MPAS, examinations, scholarships, immunizations, and learner tracking—streamlining operations and improving the user experience.

This team exemplifies the spirit of the award through their creativity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are proud to recognize their contributions to the Faculty of Medicine.

Professional and Managerial Leadership Award: Carolyn Doyle 

Carolyn, who is the director of admissions in the Faculty of Medicine, exemplifies exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication. She has built strong, meaningful relationships with students, faculty, and community partners, helping to strengthen and evolve the admissions process through collaboration and open communication. 

Her organizational skills and attention to detail are second to none—she manages competing deadlines with ease, ensures timely follow-up, and consistently upholds a high standard of fairness and efficiency. 

Carolyn has also created a welcoming, supportive environment for her team, playing a central role in developing and sustaining designated pathways such as the Indigenous Admissions Pathway, Black Learners Admissions Pathway, and Rural Applicant Pathway. Her work has been critical in advancing the Faculty’s social accountability goals. 

What sets Carolyn apart are her professionalism, active listening, and critical thinking. These qualities have fostered trust, innovation, and excellence in admissions.  

Carolyn’s leadership has both enhanced the admissions process and helped open doors for underrepresented students, leaving a lasting impact on the Faculty of Medicine.

Academic Leadership Award is presented to Dr. Evelyn Sutton

Dr. Sutton’s leadership has shaped undergraduate medical education at Dalhousie for over 20 years. As associate dean of UGME, Dr. Sutton led the recent Curriculum Renewal, modernizing and diversifying content across all four years. This included the tutorial case diversification project and a reimagined ProComp curriculum—better preparing students to care for diverse patient populations. 

She has built strong, collaborative teams, strengthened workflows, and supported staff through thoughtful HR changes. During COVID-19, her creativity and problem-solving kept clinical skills training going when many other schools paused.  

Dr. Sutton has also championed interprofessional education, expanded longitudinal integrated clerkships, and supported innovative student-led initiatives. Her ability to build relationships, make thoughtful decisions, and inspire others has had a lasting impact on admissions, curriculum, and culture.  

Leadership in Administrative, Clerical & Technical Support Award: Julie Cummings  

Julie’s journey from administrative assistant to Med 1 coordinator reflects her strategic mindset, proactive leadership, and deep commitment to both student and faculty success. She consistently thinks beyond daily tasks to align her work with the long-term goals of the Faculty of Medicine. 

Julie is a forward-thinking problem solver—she anticipates challenges, consults stakeholders, and implements thoughtful, lasting improvements to academic and administrative systems. Her work has directly enhanced the efficiency, consistency, and learner experience within the Med 1 program. 

Just as importantly, Julie is a collaborator and connector. She builds strong relationships across departments, fosters team cohesion, and brings positivity and professionalism to every interaction. Colleagues trust her; students appreciate her support, and her leadership has strengthened the entire DMNB team. 

Julie doesn’t just keep things running—she improves how things are done. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the delivery of medical education. 

Emerging Leader Award: Whitney Proulx  

Since stepping into the role of UGME operations manager in June 2023, Whitney has brought empathy, vision, and results-driven leadership to a complex and vital portfolio. Drawing on her experience as a former curriculum coordinator, she transitioned seamlessly from peer to leader, earning the trust of her team and driving lasting improvements across UGME. 

Whitney has created a supportive and collaborative work environment where feedback is welcomed, team cohesion thrives, and staff turnover has dropped to historic lows. Her leadership has stabilized and strengthened the curriculum coordinators unit, reinforcing UGME’s internal reputation across the Faculty of Medicine. 

She leads with proactive problem-solving—from transforming the electives portal and streamlining orientation to expanding the Volunteer Patient Program and securing critical staffing resources. Her commitment to continuous improvement is evident in the record-high student satisfaction scores from the 2024 Orientation.  

Whitney exemplifies the qualities of a rising leader: strategic thinking, clear communication, and genuine care for both people and process. Her impact is already being felt across departments and units, and we’re excited to see where her leadership takes us next.

Valuing People Innovation Award: Tyler Hall

As director of student and resident affairs, Tyler has transformed the student experience through empathetic leadership, innovative thinking, and unwavering positivity. His office has become more than a place for administrative support—it’s a space of welcome, calm, and community. 

Tyler is known for his clear, compassionate communication, his ability to solve problems creatively, and his deep commitment to student wellbeing. From baking incredible cakes to building a culture of care and collaboration, Tyler has redefined what it means to lead with heart in academic administration.  

Whether navigating routine challenges or leading through major events like Accreditation and the CaRMS process, Tyler brings enthusiasm, focus, and a solutions-driven mindset. His leadership empowers others, instills confidence, and consistently enhances the experience of students, residents, and colleagues alike. 

Tyler embodies what it means to value people—he sees the whole person, not just the task, and makes space for joy, support, and excellence to coexist.

Do you know a Faculty of Medicine staff or faculty member deserving of recognition? Nominate them for People First.