The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge has chosen former dean Dr. Chris Hosgood as this year’s recipient of the Friend of Health Sciences Award, an award he instituted during his time as dean.
“We are so pleased to honour Chris with the Friend of Health Sciences Award,” says Dr. Jon Doan, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. “His hard work, dedication and leadership skills enabled the growth of Health Sciences and the development of unique programming. He has left a significant and invaluable legacy that deserves to be celebrated.”
“I was a little embarrassed when I learned I was to be named this year’s recipient because I was the person who started the award,” says Hosgood. “But I have to be honest — it felt really good because being Dean of Health Sciences was something that meant a great deal to me.”
Hosgood, who was born in the United Kingdom and moved to Canada as a child, joined ULethbridge’s history department in 1988 with a specialty in British history. After teaching for a decade, he moved into the administrative arena and worked as associate dean in the Faculty of Arts & Science. From there, Hosgood was asked to step in as interim dean in the School of Health Sciences and was appointed dean in 2005.
At that time, the School of Health Sciences was focused on the nursing program, which had recently partnered with Lethbridge College on the delivery of the Bachelor of Nursing. The addictions counselling program was a new addition. Under Hosgood’s leadership, the school became the Faculty of Health Sciences and programming expanded to include a Bachelor of Nursing After-Degree program, a Master of Nursing, Public Health, Aboriginal Health, Master of Science, Master of Health Services Management and a PhD in Population Studies in Health. Student enrolment more than doubled and additional faculty members were needed. More recently, the Therapeutic Recreation program was added. The program has proven to be popular and high demand led the Faculty to double the number of online seats in 2023.
“There are all sorts of different ways to be a dean, but for me, it was about talking to people,” he says. “We always had healthy discussions at Faculty Council, which helped bring people together. In Health Sciences, we tried to create a kind of culture where everyone had a say. I think there was an environment where people felt able to speak their minds in a respectful way. I believe very strongly in collegial governance.”
“A great dean stands out as a colleague through a blend of interpersonal skills, collaboration, and positive workplace culture contributions,” says Debra Bardock, Dean, Centre for Health and Wellness at Lethbridge College. “Dr. Chris Hosgood — thank you for being this great dean!”
Hosgood will be honoured at the Friends of Health Sciences Dinner on Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the Science Commons Atrium. Tickets can be purchased online.