Dr. Heather Jamniczky named associate dean, Graduate Sciences Education

The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Heather Jamniczky, BSc'01, PhD’06, as the new associate dean, Graduate Sciences Education. The appointment is effective August 1, 2023.

Dr. Jamniczky takes over the role held by Dr. Tara Beattie, PhD, who has been the associate dean since 2013 and whose term will end on August 31.

Dr. Jamniczky is a professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and was the Academic Lead, Teaching and Learning Research with the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning from 2020 to 2023. She completed a Bachelor of Science in zoology, graduate studies in vertebrate systematic biology and postdoctoral studies at the University of Calgary, along with professional certifications in teaching and leadership development at the CSM.

Dr. Jamniczky joined the faculty in 2010 as an Undergraduate Medical Education instructor. Since then, she has shown a commitment to teaching excellence, rigorous research and graduate supervision in the fields of evolutionary developmental biology and medical education.

Dr. Jamniczky directs an evolutionary biology research lab at the University of Calgary and has taught undergraduate, medical and graduate curricula with a focus on human gross anatomy, spatial learning and equity, diversity and inclusion in education. As Academic Lead for Teaching and Learning Research, she focused on advocating for a scholarly teaching culture, managed the university's Teaching & Learning Grants and Teaching Scholars programs and worked to further elevate the profile of the Taylor Institute as a hub for teaching and learning research, inquiry and scholarship.

Dr. Jamniczky has received more than 20 awards for teaching and educational leadership locally, nationally and internationally over the course of her career, including the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s Young Educator Award in 2016 and the American Association of Anatomists’ Basmajian Award in 2017. In 2020 she was selected as a 3M National Teaching Fellow, one of only 10 recipients annually across Canada recognized for their impact as educational leaders. Finally, she has been the recipient of a Calgary Medical Students’ Association’s Outstanding Teaching award for 11 consecutive years, beginning in 2013.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jamniczky on her new leadership appointment within the CSM.

Sincerely,

Todd Anderson, MD
Dean, Cumming School of Medicine   
University of Calgary