Biography
Dr. Kay-Anne Haykal was appointed Vice-Dean of Francophone Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine for a five-year term effective September 1, 2025. In this role, Dr. Haykal joins the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) of the Faculty.
A champion for the promotion of la Francophonie and high-quality health care in French, Dr. Haykal brings a strong record of leadership to the role. A proud graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Francophone medical cohort (2006), Dr. Haykal received the silver medal for academic excellence and subsequently completed her residency in family medicine at Hôpital Montfort. She is currently a family physician at Hôpital Montfort and a clinical supervisor with the Montfort Academic Family Health Team, the Francophone training site for family medicine residents. Dr. Haykal also holds a Doctor of Optometry from the Université de Montréal and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business, where she was named valedictorian for achieving the highest academic standing in her cohort. She further deepened her expertise in strategic leadership and governance through the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme.
An Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, Dr. Haykal is a recognized leader in Francophone medical education. With a commitment to fostering supportive environments, she has advanced personal and professional development within the medical field, particularly in bilingual and minority-language contexts. Her dedication to empowering patients and the community is evident through her volunteer work in health promotion and public education, particularly through workshops and outreach initiatives targeting Francophone and minority communities.
Between 2016 and 2025 she has served as Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, where she has championed equity through initiatives related to wellness, career development, mentorship, financial support, and academic and clinical accommodations. An influential leader in medical education, she has held numerous leadership roles at both the University of Ottawa and national levels, contributing to policies and initiatives that enhance medical education, learner wellness, and professional development. Her leadership spans areas such as student affairs, wellness, resilience, mentorship and support, shaping the experience of medical trainees at all stages of their education.
Dr. Haykal’s research focuses on wellness, resilience and innovation in medical education, with a special emphasis on Francophone communities. Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Faculty’s Early Career Researcher of the Year (2021) for her work to develop resilience curricula in undergraduate medical education, of benefit to both French- and English-stream learners, and a 2024 Certificate of Merit from the Canadian Association for Medical Education (CAME).
She is currently involved in an international project on phygital education, exploring how immersive digital tools and simulation-based learning environments can enhance training across different contexts This complements her broader mission of creating equitable, high-impact learning experiences for diverse learners.