2025 Distinguished Teacher-Educator Award

Dana Jerome MD, MEd, FRCPC

Dr. Dana Jerome is a Clinician Teacher and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Division Head of Rheumatology at Women’s College Hospital. She completed her medical school and Internal Medicine residency at University of Western Ontario, her Rheumatology subspecialty training at the University of Ottawa and a Master of Health Professional Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, UofT. She has been a passionate contributor to rheumatology education at the University of Toronto, where she has been the Program Director of the Adult Rheumatology Training program for the last 8 years. Dr. Jerome has also been active with leadership positions in educational initiatives provincially with the Ontario Rheumatology Association (ORA) and nationally with the CRA including practice OSCEs, resident education courses and the National Written Rheumatology In-training Exam. Dana has been a member of the Royal College Specialty Committee in Rheumatology for the last 8 years, for which she is currently Chair-Elect. She will assume the role of Chair in July 2025.

Dana is a strong believer in the power of the rheumatology community. She has worked to build a culture of collegiality, mutual respect and support in/for all the organizations in in which she has had the privilege of working. Her educational philosophy centers around the learning environment/culture, and role modelling.  She firmly believes that trainees thrive and learn best when they feel safe, and when they are supported. She has worked hard to create learning environments where these goals can be achieved.

Dana is acutely aware that no one is a teacher or educator alone. She is humbled by this award knowing that there are so many collaborators and colleagues, mentors and trainees who have contributed to her career in education.