Dr. Linda Probyn Awarded Charles Mickle Fellowship
The University of Toronto’s (U of T) Charles Mickle Fellowship is awarded annually to a medical professional who has demonstrated a consistent and ongoing effort in the previous 10 years to “advance and promote sound knowledge of a practical kind in medical art or science by careful and thorough work.” This year, Medical Imaging’s Dr. Linda Probyn was awarded the fellowship for her outstanding work in education.
Reflecting on her award and achievements, Dr. Probyn, Associate Professor, Vice Chair Education, and Director, Accreditation, Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME), says she was initially surprised yet honoured to receive the award.
Dr. Probyn’s career has been motivated by her passion for teaching, medical education, and patient care. She credits her success to an ongoing interest in her profession and education, as well as getting involved whenever the opportunity presents itself. She also credits and thanks her numerous mentors who have provided guidance along her career path.
“Throughout my career, since I was a resident, I have always put my hand up for anything that was education related,” she recalls. “Education has been a passion of mine since the moment I started, and I feel fortunate to be engaged in education. It is important to prioritize ongoing learning and education, not only for the betterment of our profession, but ultimately for our patients.”
Speaking to what she was awarded the Charles Mickle Fellowship for – “careful and thorough strategies” – Dr. Probyn says that successful strategies often stem from failure. “Sometimes you have to be unsuccessful first,” she explains. “A lot of the things I’ve tried in the past haven’t been successful, but over time I have focused on learning from my peers and observing what really works, to engage trainees and faculty. I think what I do now is more successful as I have learned from my experience.”
When it comes to her teaching strategies, Dr. Probyn emphasizes collaboration, brainstorming, and engaging learners to set them up for success. “I always try to engage residents, fellows and learners in the work I do, as ultimately we are working to improve their educational experience.”
Dr. Probyn has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Imaging since 2005 and Vice Chair Education since 2013; since then, she had added several titles to her portfolio including Director, Admissions and Evaluation, PGME; Director of Accreditation, PGME; Chair, Internal Review Committee, PGME; and Staff Radiologist, Musculoskeletal (MSK) Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She was also Residency Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology from 2008 to 2013 and is currently the Chair of the Specialty Committee in Diagnostic Radiology at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
She completed her medical degree at Western University and her residency training at McMaster University in Diagnostic Radiology. She also completed a fellowship in MSK imaging at U of T before joining the Medical Imaging faculty.
Dr. Probyn’s advice to trainees and residents starting out in the field? Find a mentor. “No one tells you a lot of the practical things you’ll need to know during your education,” she says. “Practical things like how to set up your practice/corporation when you first start out are things that are helpful to know. I like to tell the residents the things I wish I’d known to help their transition to practice.” Dr. Probyn emphasizes the need not only for a mentor, but for residents and faculty to take on mentees who could use the same help. She also stresses the importance of being inquisitive, engaged, and loving what you do.
“I have a tremendous sense of joy when I see the successes of our learners,” she says. “You don’t always see what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to help struggling students find their success. But I’m happy to provide that support and seeing my learners be successful drives me and gives me motivation to keep doing the things I do.”
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Probyn has prioritized education at all levels, delivering practical workshops for faculty and trainees, mentorship for program directors and leaders, and has been a driving force behind the organization of local and national resident and faculty development sessions for postgraduate medical education (PGME) learners and leaders. Dr. Probyn has also developed multiple leadership workshops for senior resident leaders, published several scholarly articles, and has presented her work at national and international conferences, as well as won multiple awards for her scholarly work.