For Dr. Han-Oh Chung, medical education isn't shaped by lecture halls alone.
It's built through partnerships and creating opportunities for physicians to learn and train in communities they’ll one day serve.
That philosophy will help guide the Niagara Health intensivist as he adds a new role to his duties: Dr. Chung has been named acting assistant dean of the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine's Niagara Regional Campus (NRC). McMaster’s senate is expected to confirm his appointment this fall.
“I always knew medical education would be part of my work as a physician, but over time, I realized that what really energizes me isn’t only the teaching itself, it’s the logistics and the strategy behind how that education is delivered," Dr. Chung says.
Dr. Chung takes over from Dr. Amanda Bell, who stepped down in June after nine years at the NRC helm. He brings extensive academic and leadership experience to the position. From 2018 to 2024, he served as Niagara Health's academic lead, strengthening the connection between Niagara Health and the medical school while supporting efforts to educate and retain physicians in the region.
He is also an associate professor in McMaster's Department of Medicine, regional education lead for critical care and physician co-lead of the Niagara Health Critical Care Research Program.
As interim assistant dean, Dr. Chung will provide academic leadership for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education at the NRC. He will also support scholarship, community partnerships and an inclusive learning environment that reflects Niagara's diverse communities.
"There's a lot of momentum in Niagara right now, and a huge opportunity to think differently about what medical education can look like here."
"I'm stepping into a role that has been shaped by visionary leaders who have spent nearly 20 years building this campus into what it is today, and I don't take that responsibility lightly," he says. "I hope I come into the role with humility and a real appreciation for what's already been accomplished."
His first week on the job coincided with the arrival of the NRC's incoming Class of 2029, which reinforced the significance of what’s ahead as the campus’s academic leader.
"Seeing their enthusiasm and energy has really reaffirmed my belief in the value of distributed medical education and in training physicians in the communities they'll ultimately go on to serve.”
With major healthcare investments underway locally, including the South Niagara Hospital, Dr. Chung sees even more opportunities for Niagara to educate the next generation of physicians.
"There's a lot of momentum in Niagara right now, and a huge opportunity to think differently about what medical education can look like here,” he says.
"I'm excited to explore how that growth can expand the ways we train future physicians, strengthen the connection between education and the community, and ultimately build on the incredible work that's already happening in Niagara."
