Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane has announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa Tannock as dean of Queen's Health Sciences and director of the School of Medicine, effective July 1, 2025. Her appointment follows a comprehensive search process chaired by Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Matthew Evans on behalf of the principal.
Dr. Tannock will join Queen's from the University of Kentucky, where she is associate provost for faculty advancement and a professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. As the next dean of Queen's Health Sciences, Dr. Tannock will lead a faculty that includes the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy.
Dr. Lisa Tannock. (Supplied photo)
"I'm very happy to share that Dr. Tannock will be joining Queen's Health Sciences for this important role," says Principal Deane. "She will bring a wealth of clinical, educational, and administrative experience to Queen's and is well positioned to lead the faculty forward as they train health professionals and pursue the health research that is so vital to our future."
Dr. Tannock completed her medical degree and residency training in internal medicine at the University of Toronto, and then completed a fellowship at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. She joined the University of Kentucky in 2004, and she has since served in several leadership roles, including division chief, associate chair of internal medicine for administration, and vice-dean for faculty affairs.
In her role as associate provost for faculty advancement, Dr. Tannock has overseen faculty development, recruitment and retention, and leadership training across the campus. As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Tannock's research activity has focused on the role of inflammation and lipid metabolism in cardiovascular diseases associated with diabetes, as well as on the development of complications from diabetes and obesity. Dr. Tannock's clinical interests also include diabetes and insulin resistance, cholesterol disorders, and transgender medicine. She has served as a mentor to numerous trainees at all levels and many of her publications are co-authored by them.
"I am very excited to be returning to Canada, beginning an exciting new opportunity as dean of Queen's Health Sciences, and joining its community of talented faculty, staff, and students," says Dr. Tannock. "Queen's Health Sciences has a long history of excellence and a deep commitment to innovative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, and I look forward to engaging with colleagues to find new ways to advance the faculty's mission and its significant partnerships."
Dr. Tannock will also take on the role of CEO of the Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization (SEAMO). She will succeed Stephen Vanner, who has served as interim dean of health sciences since December 2024. Dr. Vanner assumed the position after former dean Jane Philpott left Queen's to take on a new role with the Ontario government.
The principal and provost offer their sincere thanks to Dr. Vanner for his service and extend their gratitude to the Principal's Advisory Committee for their dedication.
