Sibley award recognizes excellence and commitment

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Sibley.jpg” caption=”McMaster’s Greg Peachey, left, and Pat Mandy are winners of this year’s John C. Sibley Award for part-time faculty.”]The winners of this year's John C. Sibley Award for part-time faculty have a few things in common.

In addition to being recognized for their dedication to teaching health care professionals, Pat Mandy and Greg Peachey are both Dundas residents who have recently been appointed to new and challenging positions in their respective careers.

Mandy, an assistant clinical professor in the School of Nursing, and Peachey, an associate clinical professor in the Department of Anesthesia, have been chosen as co-winners of this prestigious annual award that recognizes excellence, initiative and sustained commitment among part-time faculty members.

Mandy, who has an extensive background as a senior administrator with Hamilton hospitals, was named last month as the first chief executive officer for the new Local Health Integration Network for the Hamilton-Niagara area. The provincial networks have been developed by the Ontario government to more closely integrate and co-ordinate health services in specific geographic areas.

Peachey recently took on the position of assistant dean of the Continuing Health Sciences Education Program for the Faculty of Health Sciences. He is also the director of anesthesia resident training.

The Sibley Award selection committee was impressed by both educators' contributions in and outside of the classroom.
Mandy was cited in particular for her efforts to bridge the health care, academic and aboriginal communities. Peachey was chosen for his contributions to various programs within the Faculty, and the implementation of a web-based evaluation system for residents, faculty and clinical rotations.

Susan Denburg, associate vice president, academic, for the Faculty of Health Sciences, praised both recipients for their commitment to students.

She said Mandy was recognized as a role model for aboriginal individuals considering careers in health care.

“Pat Mandy, through her teaching and mentoring, has represented an admirable example of an administrator balancing academic and health service initiatives,” she said.

She noted Peachey's role in both academic and clinical teaching forums.

“His leadership and innovation with respect to the interdisciplinary simulation lab will continue to enhance students' learning experience at McMaster,” said Denburg.

Both recipients said they were honoured to be chosen for this prestigious award.

Mandy, a member of the Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation, is the first aboriginal person to receive the award. “I am committed to the recruitment and mentoring of youth into the health professions and to the successful completion of their academic program,” she said.

Peachey said it was gratifying to be chosen for the award from among the hundreds at McMaster who dedicate their lives to teaching.
“It speaks to the environment and support that I received from my colleagues and friends in the departments of anesthesia at St. Joseph's Healthcare and Hamilton Health Sciences,” he said. “Their support allows me to balance my clinical and academic activities. It is a pleasure to be associated with these people.”

Mandy has been working in the health care field for 40 years, and is recognized as a leader in health care administration, the nursing profession and the community. Until her new post, she was both vice-president, patient services and site administrator, McMaster University Medical Centre, for Hamilton Health Sciences. She has also served with the hospitals as vice-president community health, vice-president patient care and previously as director of nursing for Henderson General Hospital.

She has been an assistant clinical professor in nursing for McMaster University since 1994, and was a member of the University President's Committee on Indigenous Issues.

Her professional and community services affiliations are extensive and her volunteer work has benefited numerous organizations, including several dedicated to the aboriginal community. She brings this experience to her teaching and mentoring, and helps to bridge hospital, university and community issues.

Peachey joined the Faculty of Health Sciences in 1996, moving into the role of director of anesthesia training in 2002. He has also been on staff as an anesthetist at Hamilton Health Sciences since 1996, and at St. Joseph's since 1999. He has served in various capacities on numerous professional organizations, including the Ontario Medical Association and Hamilton Anesthesia Associates.
The John C. Sibley Award is named for the former associate dean who was one of the founders of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Sibley was known for his interdisciplinary approach to community health both locally and internationally. Established in 1986, the award is given annually to one (and occasionally two) part-time faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to innovative teaching, interdisciplinary education and/or research to improve patient care.

In addition to Mandy and Peachey, two other part-time faculty members were nominated this year in acknowledgement of their significant contributions to the mission of the Faculty. Christine Bradley of the Department of Medicine was nominated for the number and variety of roles she has assumed in both the undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Carol DeMatteo serves as a mentor, conducts research and is the international student co-ordinator for the School of Rehabilitation Sciences.