Former MHSc Program Director Tina Smith Honoured with Leadership Award

The Tina Smith Leadership Award reflects Prof. Tina Smith’s enduring impact on the MHSc program and the leadership values she instilled.

By: Marielle Boutin

For many professors, seeing their influence endure across generations of students is a special honour that rarely becomes a reality. But for one IHPME faculty member, that legacy has now been firmly planted. 

A recently launched campaign has officially established a new student award honouring Prof. Tina Smith. The award was spearheaded by alumni Malcolm Moffat and Taylor Martin to recognize MHSc Health Administration students who exemplify the values that drove Prof. Smith’s work as the program’s former Director.  

As a Health Administration graduate and co-chair of the DLSPH Dean’s Alumni Advisory Council, Martin’s motivation for creating the award was based on his everlasting dedication to the program, which he says has played, and continues to play, an important part in his career.  

“This initiative is especially important to me because the program gave me such a strong grounding in leadership, critical decision making, and an amazing community,” says Martin. “When I was a student, I received some minor support from IHPME funds. I know that for young professionals undertaking unfunded programs like the MHSc, it means a lot to have some help.” 

As a prominent figurehead of the program, whose efforts in championing collaborative learning, respect for diverse perspectives, and creating a community built on mutual respect has echoed throughout IHPME, Martin explains that the award was established as a reflection of these values that Tina worked tirelessly to embed into the program.  

“Tina didn’t just lead the MHSc program for so many years, she shaped it into a microcosm for the health system. Students learned from inspiring researchers and leaders but also from each other. We learned that stubborn problems could relax when we take a different perspective. Lectures were structured to develop knowledge but also to apply new skills to the real leadership challenges each student brought from their own workplace […] Tina’s belief in peer coaching and the value of group learning turned a classroom with thirty-something students into thirty-something co-teachers. The Tina Smith award recognizes students who have contributed to their classmates’ learning and enhanced the learning environment. We have designed the award such that the students and faculty can nominate a student who channels Tina’s values and the space that she created.” 

Prof. Smith served as Director of the Health Administration program for 26 years (1996 to 2022), before stepping down and handing the position over to Prof. Karen Born, the program’s current lead. 

Since then, she has stayed active in the MHSc community, remaining firmly embedded in the program that she helped raise among the most esteemed health administration offerings both nationally and internationally. According to her colleagues, this is a testament to the leadership and mentorship that she has been so widely recognized for.  

Considering this fierce loyalty, it’s seemingly no surprise that the community would choose to honour her with this new award. However, when asked how she reacted to the news, she claimed it came as a shock.  

“I was completely astounded by the idea and deeply touched to be honored in this way, especially knowing it came from program alumni.” 

Above all, she credits the students for the program’s distinction. Looking back on her time as Director, they are what she is most proud of. 

“The learners we recruit are the driving force behind everything we do. Their dedication to transforming healthcare doesn’t end at graduation; as alumni, they return as course instructors, guest faculty, tutors and preceptors, ensuring the program’s long-term success.” 

Looking ahead, Prof. Smith is excited about the idea of empowering future MHSc students. She has deep gratitude for her mentors, Drs. Peggy Leatt and Vivek Goel, whose guidance shaped her life, and she hopes to offer the same impact to others. 

“To be able to give that back to others, helping them to see their potential and the many pathways ahead of them has been one of the joys of being Program Director.” 

As the community celebrate this meaningful tribute to Prof. Smith, the award’s committee are grateful to share that the campaign is close to reaching its goal and invites those who wish to support to the fund to donate online.

As IHPME continues to prepare the next generation of health systems leaders, the foundation laid by faculty like Prof. Smith will ensure that their impact endures for decades to come.