Dr. Ward Flemons, 2016–2024

Dr. W. Ward Flemons MD, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Dr. Flemons is the former head of Respiratory Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services (Calgary Zone) and the current Department of Medicine Vice-Chair, Health Analytics, Quality and Safety. He was a Medical Director for the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) for over 10 years where he led the HQCA’s Just Culture work, the development of its Healthcare Quality and Safety Management Framework, and several large reviews into health system issues including the Continuity of Patient Care Study. This study examined in detail what happened to Greg Price who tragically died from complications that resulted following multiple delays in diagnosis and treatment of a very treatable cancer. The study formed the basis of the highly acclaimed film, Falling Through the Cracks: Greg’s Story. Prior to the creation of Alberta Health Services, Dr. Flemons served in the role of VP, Quality, Safety and Health Analytics for the former Calgary Health Region. He teaches Quality and Safety Management in the Cumming School of Medicine’s Precision Health Master’s degree program and also leads the Quality and Safety Leadership stream within that program.