The UBC Department of Medicine is proud to announce the renewal of two distinguished professorships, recognizing the outstanding contributions of faculty leaders whose work continues to shape the future of medicine in Canada and beyond.
Dr. Thalia Field has been reappointed for a second five-year term (2025–2030) as the Sauder Family and Heart and Stroke Foundation BC & Yukon Professor in Clinical Stroke Research. Over the past five years, Dr. Field has led transformative research programs focused on stroke and brain health in younger adults, with groundbreaking studies on cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and congenital heart disease. Her leadership of national clinical trials such as the SECRET trial, and cohort studies like SEARCH, have advanced our understanding of stroke in under-researched populations.
Beyond research, Dr. Field is also a passionate mentor and educator, having supervised dozens of trainees and modernized the Vancouver Stroke Fellowship Program. Her impact extends into policy and public engagement, where she is recognized for her leadership in equity-focused clinical guidelines, knowledge mobilization initiatives, and collaborative partnerships both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Kenneth Madden has also been renewed as the Allan M. McGavin Chair in Geriatric Medicine for another five-year term, beginning July 1, 2025. Dr. Madden is a national and international leader in geriatric research, with a focus on innovative, patient-centered care. His lab has produced significant findings in the use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve diagnosis and care for older adults.
His recent work includes AI models that detect cognitive decline from natural speech and identify diabetes-related complications, as well as paradigm-shifting clinical research into postprandial hypotension. As a global voice in geriatric policy, Dr. Madden has contributed to WHO initiatives and continues to shape the field through leadership and advocacy.
The Department congratulates Dr. Field and Dr. Madden on these prestigious reappointments. Their leadership reflects our commitment to advancing research, education, and clinical excellence across all domains of medicine.