New CBMC Appointment for Dr. MacLeod

To the University Community,

On behalf of the Cape Breton Medical Campus (CBMC), we are pleased to announce that Dr. Susan MacLeod has been appointed Director- Skilled Clinician Program, effective March 10, 2025.

Dr. MacLeod, a family physician and Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University completed her medical training at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2000, followed by a family medicine residency in 2002 at the University of Ottawa. Dr. MacLeod practiced as a family physician in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador while serving as Assistant Professor at Memorial University from 2002 until 2010 when she came to Nova Scotia and began her family medicine practice, simultaneously serving as a preceptor to medical students and residents through Dalhousie University.

With 23 years of experience as a family physician, Dr. MacLeod has proven her skilled leadership while taking on managerial responsibilities within Island Family Healthcare collaborative practice. Known for her enthusiastic mentorship, she was awarded the Preceptor of the Year Award 2023-2024 by the Department of Family Medicine, Dalhousie University. Dr. MacLeod has been a long-time advocate for medical education in Cape Breton and joined the CBMC team as a Family Medicine Special Advisor in 2023. Serving two years in this role, Dr. MacLeod has been integral to the progression of the new medical campus- engaging physicians, health professionals and partners while advising on family medicine and rural and remote health strategy for the campus.

As Director of the Skilled Clinician Program, Dr. MacLeod will provide oversight for the development, implementation and assessment of the program across all four years of medical curriculum. She will oversee the OSCE (Observed Structured Clinical Examinations) program, including blueprinting, case writing and analysis of results. Dr. MacLeod will also ensure the successful integration of clinical science learning throughout the curriculum, with a focus on the early years of medical education. She will work collaboratively with clinical departments and other educators in faculty development initiatives related to clinical learning and assessment, and to enhance the academic rigour of the Skilled Clinician and OSCE programs.

“Dr. MacLeod’s expertise and care have garnered well-deserved respect in the community. We are fortunate to have someone of her calibre lead the Skilled Clinician Program at CBMC,” says Cape Breton University President, David Dingwall. “We look forward to the impact she will continue to make on medical education in our community, and across the province.”

“Dr. MacLeod’s leadership in clinical education, combined with her deep understanding of family medicine and rural healthcare, will be invaluable in shaping the Skilled Clinician Program at CBMC,” says Dr. David Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. “We congratulate Dr. MacLeod on this well-earned appointment and look forward to her continued contributions to medical education in Nova Scotia.”

Please join us in congratulating Dr. MacLeod on her appointment.

Dr. Jennifer L. Hall
Senior Associate Dean, Cape Breton Medical Campus