Dr. Hussam Azzam's professional journey encompasses over 20 years of experience as a leader, senior executive, medical educator, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. His commitment to quality, patient-family-community-centred care, teaching, and lifelong learning has been evident throughout his career. As a transformational leader, he fosters a culture of clinical excellence through collaboration, leading by example, innovation, and constructive change.

 

Dr. Azzam’s central leadership role is the Executive Medical Director of Primary, Community, and Maternity Care in Interior Health Authority, BC. In addition to his current roles, he held leadership positions, including Vice President for Medical Services, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Regional Chief of Staff, and Hospital Medical Director.

 

His last leadership endeavour was as the Deputy Operation Director for Hospitals on Prince Edward Island. He led the development and monitoring of the provincial COVID-19 pandemic acute care response and bed capacity surge plan across the six hospitals in Prince Edward Island (PEI).

 

Dr. Azzam completed his medical degree at the University of Jordan, followed by postgraduate training and practice in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Kingdom (UK), before returning to Canada in 2008. His medical credentials include Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC), Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRCOG), the UK Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG).

 

He is an established medical educator and medical education champion. Recognizing his contributions to medical education, he was awarded the Academy of Medical Educators Fellowship (FAcadMEd) in 2015.

 

Dr. Azzam attended a two-year Medical Education Fellowship at the Wessex Institute, University of Southampton, UK, while fulfilling the lead educator role for Obstetrics and Gynaecology undergraduate and postgraduate learners in Winchester Healthcare NHS Trust, UK. During this fellowship, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCAES) and Diploma (PGDAES) in Advanced Educational Studies. He then achieved a Master's Degree in Medical Education (MMedEd) from the University of Winchester, particularly interested in assessment and curriculum development.

 

Dr. Azzam is a Certified Education Supervisor by the Wessex Institute and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba, a Certified Clerkship Director by the Association of Professors of Gynaecology & Obstetrics Clerkship Director School in the USA, a faculty advisor for the Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) and a course director for the Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM).

 

Dr. Azzam is involved in the U of M medical students' selection process, participated in the Colleges of Medicine and Midwifery task groups for curriculum modernization, and acted as a University of Southampton, UK examiner. Also, he is the SOGC Obstetrics Clinical Practice Committee’s past chair, focusing on the profession's best practice and clinical guidelines development. In addition, his portfolio has several scholarship projects, research, publications, and presentations at national and international events.

 

Dr. Azzam has extensive experience in corporate governance and financial management. He was elected by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecology of Canada (SOGC) Board of Directors in 2012 and as the SOCG Treasurer in 2018. He was a Salus Global Finance Committee member. He served in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) Council in 2016 and 2017, during which he was the Co-Chair of the CPSM Complaints Committee and a member of the CPSM Executive Committee. Dr. Azzam also served as a Director on the Diagnostic Service Manitoba (DSM) Board of Directors and was a member of the DSM Governance Committee.

 

He is distinguished as the first physician in Manitoba to achieve the Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) credential in 2015 and the SOGC Regional Achievement Award in 2017. Dr. Azzam has a proven track record in championing medical education, upholding medical standards of care, recruiting and retaining medical staff, implementing clinical governance, and improving patient access to healthcare and service programs’ development.