From pediatric cancer wards in Canada to medical schools in East Africa, Kent Stobart, MD, FRCPC, has spent much of his career building relationships that strengthen health care systems worldwide.

His philosophy is simple and personal. "I love meeting people, hearing their stories, being part of different cultures and then seeing the advancements these countries are making," says the Royal College Fellow, reflecting on his international work with Royal College Canada International (RCCI).

As Dr. Stobart puts it, "In Malcolm Gladwell terms, I'm a connector."

Healing beyond borders

For Dr. Stobart, the journey to international medical education began with an unexpected pivot. After initially training as a family doctor in Peterborough, Ontario, it was the pediatric patients in his general practice who inspired him to retrain as a pediatrician. Dr. Stobart became a Royal College Fellow in Pediatrics in 1991 and later subspecialized in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology.

Now vice-dean of Education at the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Stobart balances clinical work as a pediatric oncologist with leadership in medical education reform. He arrived at the university a decade ago to lead major reforms after the undergraduate medical school’s MD program had been placed on probation for the second time – the only one in North America facing that status. "It's been a valuable learning experience working to restore the university's undergraduate medical program to good standing," he says.

A global classroom

Dr. Stobart's international work began in earnest around 2009 with a teaching invitation from a pediatric cancer hospital in Cairo, Egypt. A chance meeting with a pediatrician from Kenya later led to an invitation to assess students there, eventually expanding his involvement across East Africa and beyond. Over the last five years, Dr. Stobart's formal work with RCCI has included meaningful work in the Gulf states and elsewhere.

Dr. Stobart acknowledges getting good natured ribbing from colleagues for his love of travel. But his motivation runs deeper than wanderlust. "It's really about the people and the systems," he explains. "It's visionary work, where I can enjoy being innovative and creative as I witness real system transformations." 

The Qatar connection

Among Dr. Stobart's international achievements, his work with Sidra Medicine in Qatar stands out as particularly rewarding. "The hospital is spectacular; the people are dedicated and many of them trained in Canada. They know what the Royal College stands for and want to uphold that standard."

In 2024, Sidra Medicine – a state-of-the-art pediatric and women's hospital in Doha – reached a significant milestone by becoming the first institution in Qatar to achieve Royal College Accredited Institution status. This designation, part of the formal partnership established between RCCI and Sidra Medicine in 2023 and recently renewed through 2031, lays crucial groundwork for individual residency programs to pursue accreditation.

As one of the key advisors involved, Dr. Stobart helped Sidra Medicine, as an institution, align its postgraduate training with Royal College accredited standards. "All the pieces were there," he explains. "It was about drawing them out into specific accreditation areas – curriculum, assessment, resident support – and showing how those systems could be mapped to ensure a positive learning environment."

Sidra Medicine is currently pursuing Royal College Accredited Program status for its Pediatrics residency program, as well as for several subspecialty programs within the discipline.

The quality of training at institutions like Sidra Medicine has impressed Dr. Stobart. “I’d take any of the residents that I met into my fellowship program. Their clinical reasoning and judgment are excellent.”

Value for Fellows

Dr. Stobart emphasizes that these international partnerships create bidirectional benefits. "There are many ways to train a pediatrician beyond the Canadian way," he says. He believes working in different cultures makes him a better educator and administrator, providing broader understanding of how high-quality programs can look around the world.

For Royal College Fellows considering international work with RCCI, Dr. Stobart says he always encourages his colleagues to get involved in international work, citing the ability to make an impact while advancing their careers.

He outlines clear benefits that vary by career stage. For academics, international experience strengthens CVs and supports promotions. "To move from associate professor to full professor, they want to know what you've done internationally," he explains.

For community-based physicians, the opportunities offer professional renewal. "It's mind-expanding," says Dr. Stobart. "If you're burning out from 80-hour weeks, taking a week to do accreditation or curriculum development abroad can be a reset."

Looking forward

Dr. Stobart sees tremendous potential for Canadian leadership in global medical education through RCCI. "I think Canada punches above its weight in medical education – we all know it, but we don't brag," he says. “We’re small, but look at what we’ve done.”

As international partnerships like the one with Sidra Medicine continue to evolve and expand, Dr. Stobart's connecting work exemplifies how individual Fellows can contribute to global health care improvement while enriching their own careers. For this pediatric oncologist turned global educator, the prescription is clear: "What's one thing I can do today to make someone's life better?"

Learn more about RCCI and how Fellows can get involved in international opportunities.