Mark Crowther, the chair of pathology and molecular medicine, will become the chair of the Department of Medicine for the Faculty of Health Sciences on July 1.

Crowther has joint appointments as a professor for the departments of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Medicine, and he is an associate of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.

He says he has worked towards this appointment for a long time, inspired by the department's reputation for excellence.  

"I am extremely excited about the challenges this position presents," he said. "The Department of Medicine at McMaster is the engine of the Faculty of Health Sciences. It has a wonderful faculty, a solid practice plan and has been well-led for many years."

Crowther received his medical degree and internal medicine residency from Western University. After his residency in hematology and an MSc in health research methodologies at McMaster, he joined its faculty in 1999. He has served as the chair of pathology and molecular medicine since October 2014.

Crowther says he is focused on three key initiatives as he begins on his five-year term.

He seeks to create the best internal medicine and its subspecialties competency-based education program in Canada; to enhance research successes building on existing resources; and to build the brand of the Department of Medicine, which he notes is one of the best in the world.

He says making progress on these initiatives will take hard work, but adds he is up to the challenge.

"I have been in senior levels of academic and hospital administrations for many years and as such, I have extensive experience dealing with the issues that are likely to crop up," he said.  "My advantage is that everyone knows me and they know I am trustworthy."

Crowther has presented more than 400 invited talks, published more than 430 peer-reviewed articles and authored more than 60 textbook chapters and reviews.

He holds both the LEO Pharma Chair in thromboembolism research, and a Career Investigator Award from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

"Dr. Crowther's strong connection to McMaster and his passion for advancing the Department of Medicine make him a natural choice for this position," said Paul O'Byrne, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "He has outlined a clear vision and markers of success for his term, and I am eager to see his progress over the coming years."