Jamie Kellar named Associate Dean, Academic

Jamie Kellar was appointed Associate Dean, Academic at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, effective November 1, 2020. 

“I am honored to take on this exciting new role at the Faculty. I look forward to leading our faculty, staff and students to create innovative academic programming that moves science and health in bold ways,” said Kellar, Associate Professor - Teaching Stream. 

Kellar is a former advanced practice pharmacist with clinical expertise in mental health and addictions. She’s taught students in the PharmD program for more than seven years, served as the PharmD Acting Director since July 2017, and was named Professor of the Year on three occasions. 

In the Associate Dean, Academic role, Professor Kellar will work closely with the Faculty’s Leadership Team to oversee all aspects of educational programming, including planning and policy development, governance, curriculum, accreditation, and the development and implementation of new programs. She will also oversee student services, the Education Office and the Office of Experiential Education while striving to enhance the student experience across all programs. 

“I am delighted to welcome Jamie into this exciting new role and I know that students, faculty and staff across our community will join me in congratulating her on the role,” said Professor Dolovich. 

“I would also like to thank Sandra Bjelajac Mejia for her enormous contributions to the Faculty in her role of Interim Director of Professional Programs, including her leadership of our Education Contingency Planning and excellent accreditation outcome.” 

Professor Kellar joined the Faculty in 2011 as an Assistant Professor (status-only) before transitioning to the teaching stream in 2015. She has served as academic lead of various local, national and international projects, including the Psychiatry Curriculum Development Project, the Optimizing Patient Care Program and the Task Force to Revise AFPC Educational Outcomes for First Professional Degree in Canada. 

She teaches neuropsychiatry and health systems courses at the Faculty and has introduced a number of teaching innovations, including mental health movie sessions and a video series designed to increase confidence and skills in clinical pharmacy practice. She has received an Early Career Teaching Award from U of T and the National Award for Excellence in Education from the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada.  

Her research is in the field of health professions education with a specific focus on professional identity formation. Her current work focuses on the dominant identity discourses in pharmacy education and how these institutionalized ways of “being” are then embodied by practicing pharmacists around globe. Her work highlights how professional identity formation impacts the desired practice change the profession has been seeking for decades.   

Professor Kellar received a Hons BSc. in Kinesiology from the University of Guelph, followed by a Hons. BSc. in Pharmacy from U of T.  She also completed U of T’s post-baccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.  She is currently a PhD candidate at the School of Health Professions Education in Maastricht, Netherlands. 

“I’m grateful for the support of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy community and look forward to co-creating new opportunities and learning experiences for students and learners at various stages of their careers to ensure our alumni continue to propel the field of pharmacy in exciting new directions,” said Kellar. 

There will be an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and impact of Professor Bjelajac Mejia. Details about this celebration — information about leadership of the PharmD Program — will be shared in the coming weeks.