Sibbald takes reins of McMaster undergraduate medical school

Cardiologist Matt Sibbald is the new associate dean of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine’s undergraduate program, pending final university approvals.

Sibbald, who begins his five-year appointment May 1, is keen to build on the program’s innovative tradition using educational research, and to create new ways for students to engage in their training. “I think this is a unique time to be starting a mandate of this type. There are a lot of challenges and pressures with the COVID-19 pandemic, but also great opportunities for students to learn what it is to be a physician,” said Sibbald, associate professor of medicine.

“My vision is really one of empowering, transforming, and inspiring future physicians to improve both patient and societal health. I think we do that with leadership, scholarship, innovation and social accountability.”

Sibbald received his medical training from the University of Toronto. He has both a master’s in health professions education and PhD from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, as well as a MSc in blockchain technology from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.

He has wide experience in developing training programs, including workshops in interprofessional simulation and a national course for interventional cardiology fellows.

As associate dean of the undergraduate program, Sibbald will work under the guidance of Paul O’Byrne, dean of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“Dr. Sibbald is an absolutely exceptional individual who is both a cardiologist and an outstanding educator. In his previous role, he made very impressive progress with the Centre for Simulated-based Learning to make sure it’s functioning at the highest level,” said O’Byrne. “I very much look forward to working with Matt in his new role.”