We are pleased to announce the appointment of Leon Tourian, MD, as Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) and Professional Affairs, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), McGill University. Dr. Tourian begins his term on January 1, 2025, replacing Regina Husa, MD. We want to take this occasion to thank Dr. Husa for her steadfast leadership of PGME over the last four years. Her vision and dedication have been instrumental in ensuring that the growing needs of residents and programs are met. Under her guidance, the PGME leadership team has strengthened its collaborative approach, with new assistant dean positions and enhanced leadership development and support for program directors. Dr. Husa has been an exceptional mentor whose thoughtful guidance has been deeply appreciated by all who had the privilege to work with her.
Since 2020, Dr. Tourian has held multiple leadership roles in PGME. He began as an assistant dean, subsequently took on the role of Competency by Design (CBD) Lead in 2021, and was appointed to the newly created position of Assistant Dean, Fellowships, in 2023. From 2020 to 2022, Dr. Tourian played a pivotal role in leading the redeployment of over 400 residents to COVID-19 units and ICUs across McGill hospitals, ensuring critical care coverage during an unprecedented time. Concurrently, he contributed to the development of the PGME cannabis curriculum, leveraging his expertise in chronic pain, opioid management and psychiatry. In addition to these roles, Dr. Tourian has been overseeing resident accommodations since 2020 and has served as PGME’s Francization Lead since 2023.
At McGill, Dr. Tourian is Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, and Associate Member, Department of Anesthesia. At the Montreal General Hospital (MGH), McGill University Heath Centre (MUHC), he is Chief of Service of the Consultation-Liaison service, and liaison psychiatrist for the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit and the Trauma Intensive Care Unit. He is also an associate member of the CIUSSS de L’Ouest de L’Ile de Montréal.
Dr. Tourian graduated from McGill with a BSc (Honours Biochemistry) and MSc (Experimental Medicine), after which he obtained his MD from Université Laval. He completed his residency in Psychiatry and a fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at McGill. After completing his training in 2014, he quickly assumed the role of Program Director for the Psychiatry Residency Program in 2015. His exceptional contributions to the program were formally recognized with the prestigious Program Director Leadership Award in 2019. Among his many accomplishments as Program Director, he spearheaded the creation of the Heinz Lehmann Mentorship Program, which was recognized as a Leading Practice and Innovation during the Royal College accreditation of the general psychiatry program in 2019. In addition, he was named a Royal College CBD Innovator in 2019 for his remarkable efforts in preparing the department for its transition to Competence by Design (CBD). His forward-thinking approach and leadership ensured a seamless adaptation to this transformative educational framework.
Dr. Tourian’s commitment to advancing education has been recognized many times. The McGill Psychiatry Resident Association awarded him Best Resident Advocate (2016, 2018, 2024), Best Senior Resident Supervisor (2023) and Best Teacher Award (2014). He also received the McGill Undergraduate Psychiatry Teaching Award for the 2020-2021 academic year.
In 2022, Dr. Tourian was honoured with the AMI-Québec Exemplary Psychiatrist Award. At the national level, he is Chair of the Speciality Committee, Psychiatry, at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Dr. Tourian actively supports community initiatives, and is the current President of the Board of Directors for Les Impatients, a non-profit organization operating throughout Quebec, which supports mental health patients through art activities and workshops. He also chairs the organization’s Scientific Committee, and is co-president of its fundraising campaign.
As Associate Dean, PGME and Professional Affairs, Dr. Tourian will report to the Vice-President (Health Affairs) and Dean, FMHS. He will ensure that PGME activities align with the strategic plan and priorities of the FMHS and the School of Medicine, and will lead and oversee all aspects of residency training programs, area of focused competence (AFC) programs, and fellowship programs.
Dr. Tourian will provide oversight of all activities related to accreditation in the residency and AFC programs, in collaboration with the Assistant Dean, PGME Accreditation, and VP-Dean. He will also plan and coordinate the expansion and distribution of PGME programs in conjunction with the Doyenne associée, Campus Outaouais, and the Director of Distributed Medical Education.
To support continuous quality improvement in PGME, Dr. Tourian will ensure that appropriate mentorship and faculty development are provided to program directors, residency program committee members, and clinical teachers. He will represent PGME at FMHS and School of Medicine leadership meetings, and chair the Faculty Postgraduate Education Leadership Committee as well as several other committees. Dr. Tourian will also act as a liaison with the Collège des médecins du Québec regarding postgraduate medical education.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tourian on his appointment and wishing him every success in his new role.
Lesley Fellows, MDCM, DPhil
Vice-President (Health Affairs)
Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Christian Pineau, MDCM
Vice-Dean, Academic Affairs