Purpose and Authority
The purpose of this committee is to:
- Recommend to the Faculty Executive Committee undergraduate-level health professions program decisions requiring Full Faculty and Senate approval.
- Through the Faculty Executive Committee, recommend to the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate Curriculum Committee (GPSGCC) graduate-level health professions program proposals requiring GPSGCC approval and Senate approval.
- Facilitate cross-program planning and coordination of teaching, learning, and research initiatives to support shared interests and address shared issues, and support the Faculty’s Strategic Plan, and that of UBC.
- Establish, implement, and report on work plans for interdisciplinary initiatives, as requested by program directors, under the guidance of the Associate Dean, Health Professions.
- Liaise with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee regarding issues shared across all graduate programs.
Scope
The scope of this committee is focused on the following entry-to-practice health professions programs:
- Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- Master of Science in Genetic Counselling (MSc GC)
- Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology (MSc SLP)
- Master of Science in Audiology (MSc AUD)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences (BMLSc)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (BMW)
While representatives from other graduate-level programs are welcome to participate in this committee, their formal pathway for approvals is through the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee.
Composition
This committee is made up of ex officio members.
The Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to equitable and diverse membership on its committees and advisory councils guides its nomination and selection process.
Voting Members
Ex-officio
- Associate Dean, Health Professions (chair) (1)
- Vice Dean, Education (1)
- Senior Director, Education Programs and Services (1)
- Head, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (1)
- Head, Department of Physical Therapy (1)
- Director, School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (1)
- Director, Division of Midwifery, Department of Family Practice (1)
- Program Co-Directors, Master of Genetic Counselling, Department of Medical Genetics (2 sharing one vote)
- Program Director, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (1)
Non-voting Members
Ex officio
- Associate Dean, Faculty Development
Corresponding Members
Ex officio
- Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, or delegate (1)
- Administrative Director, Office of the Vice Dean Education (1)
Guests may be invited to join specific meetings or portions of specific meetings at the chair’s discretion.
Appointment Process
Ex officio members are members by virtue of their administrative appointment.
Term
Ex officio members are members as long as they hold their administrative appointment.
Chair
Chaired by the Associate Dean, Health Professions.
Meeting Schedule and Administration
Normally meets approximately every month and at the call of the chair.
All members are expected to attend all meetings in person or via videoconference or phone.
A staff member from the Office of the Associate Dean, Health Professions will capture meeting minutes. Minutes will be circulated to all members.
Records will be maintained in accordance with the UBC and Faculty of Medicine records retention procedures.
Quorum and Decision-Making Process
Quorum consists of 50% plus one of voting members.
Decisions are typically made by consensus. When consensus does not emerge, decisions will be made by vote, requiring 50% plus one of voting members present to pass.
Lines of Accountability and Communication
This committee:
- Presents an annual report summarizing the year’s activities to the Faculty Executive Committee.
- Seeks input from the Department Heads and School Directors Committee before presenting recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee, as appropriate.
- Makes recommendations for consultation and endorsement to the Faculty Executive Committee on substantive changes to undergraduate-level health professions programs.
- Makes recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee on substantive changes to graduate-level health professions programs, for consultation and endorsement before formally recommending them to the Graduate Curriculum Committee (sub-committee of the Graduate Council and the Senate Curriculum Committee).
- May delegate responsibilities to subcommittees and/or ad hoc groups to make recommendations on, or conduct, specific aspects of the committee’s mandate.
- Shares relevant information with health professions programs leadership of all in-scope programs.
- Maintains close communication and collaboration with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Committee.
Representatives of this committee liaise with other academic and administrative committees and advisory councils, as needed.
Responsibilities
This committee:
- Works with the Associate Dean, Health Professions and others in health professions programs to support and advance the academic goals within the Faculty’s strategic plans and that of UBC.
- Collaborates to resolve issues impacting health professions education, where appropriate.
- Provides advice to the Faculty leadership on matters related to Health Professions programming.
- Works with the Associate Dean, Health Professions to ensure effective communication of opportunities that will enhance the overall academic capacity and capability of the Health Professions Programs across British Columbia.
- Shares ideas and expertise to support best practices in Health Professions programming, including education, innovation, research, and administration.
- Engages in collaborative planning to advance Health Professions program delivery across British Columbia.
- Recommends to the Associate Dean, Health Professions, priorities for special project funding.
- Develops proposals for external grant funding for education projects of priority across the Health Professions.
- Adheres to the FoM General Responsibilities of Standing Committees.
Approval
This version of these terms of reference has been approved by the Faculty Executive Committee on March 11, 2025, and by the Faculty of Medicine (Full Faculty) on May 6, 2025.
Version History
- Updated January, 2025.
- Approved by the Faculty Executive Committee on September 26, 2017, and by the Faculty of Medicine (Full Faculty) on November 14, 2017.
- Created by combining elements of the ad hoc Health Professions Leadership and Health Professions Education Committees.