Walter Tavares PhD
Scientist - The Wilson Centre | Temerty Faculty or Medicine
Associate Professor - Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto – Scarborough,
Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Department of Medicine
Dr. Tavares’ research focuses on assessment in health professions education and ways of advancing continuing professional development. This includes examining the philosophical positions informing or ways of thinking about assessment, attending to complex constructs, the role of assessment, how assessment exists within institutions, and implication for validity, ultimately aiming to optimize assessment meaning, practice, and use. His program of research aims to provide a thorough understanding of assessment, critically examine existing and new approaches, and to propose new models that support learners, systems, and institutions in health professions, from undergraduate and post-graduate education to clinicians in practice. Other continuing professional development research aims include focusing on and fostering conceptual and practical educational advances, leveraging practice environments for assessment and learning, and the development and use of simulation. Dr. Tavares completed his PhD in Health Research Methodology at McMaster University with a specialization in Health Professions Education.
Current Fellows and HPER Doctoral Students
Gousia Dhhar
Gousia Dhhar MD, FRCPC completed her Internal Medicine residency, General Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology fellowships from the University of Toronto. She has completed a higher education teaching course from Harvard University and a certificate course from Center of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety.
She is a fellow at the Wilson Center in the Masters program and is currently obtaining a Masters in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University. Her research interests lie in exploring and optimizing assessment and feedback systems in Competency Based Medical Education.
Supervisor: Walter Tavares
Sean Hackett
Sean Hackett is a PhD student affiliated with the Wilson Centre in the Health Professions Education Research (HPER) doctoral program offered by the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME) within the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Alongside his studies, Sean serves as a lead instructor and instructional designer for Advanced Care Paramedics while actively practicing on the frontline. He designed and implemented the Critical Care Paramedic Program for the province of Ontario and consulted on similar programs across Canada. Sean holds a Master of Arts in Education and Technology from Royal Roads University, where he earned the Chancellor’s Medal and was nominated for the Governor General’s Gold Medal. His research focuses on enhancing clinical performance and developing contemporary and workplace-based assessments (WBA).
Supervisor: Walter Tarvares
Carson Tipoff
Carson Tipoff is a PhD student in the Health Professions Education Research (HPER) doctoral concentration offered by the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, in collaboration with the faculty of the Wilson Centre. He completed a Professional Master of Education at Queens University, where he specialized in assessment and organizational leadership. Under the supervision of Dr. Walter Tavares, Carson’s doctoral work focuses on the assessment of teamwork in healthcare education and simulation environments. His research interests involve professional development, assessment, organizational systems, and furthering Paramedic research in the Canadian context. He works clinically as a Primary Care Paramedic for the Region of Peel in Ontario."
Supervisor: Walter Tavares