Dr. James Dosman, the "father of agricultural medicine" in Canada, has devoted his career to improving the health of, and preventing injury to, farmers and their families. He began at the U of S, then completed a residency and postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University that established him in his specialty of respiratory medicine. He returned to the U of S to found the Division of Respiratory Medicine in the College of Medicine in 1975, and, 11 years later, the Centre for Agricultural Medicine - now known as the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA). The organization is the only one in Canada to provide research, education, and health promotion to agricultural and rural populations - a crucial service to the families working in one of the most dangerous occupations in Canada and the U.S.

Dosman worked with local municipal governments to establish the Agricultural Health and Safety Network in Saskatchewan, which has grown to provide health and safety education and services to more than 28,000 farm families. He was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Coalition for Agricultural Safety and Rural Health and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Program.

Dosman has been a leader in agricultural medicine, dedicating his career to advancing the health of rural populations.   A member of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, he was named among the "One Hundred Most Influential Graduates" on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of the College of Arts and Science.

Now a Professor Emeritus, his work to reduce dangers to farm families across the province and the country have won him numerous awards, as well as accolades from the farm communities to which he has devoted his career.

The U of S has honoured Dosman by naming him a University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Chair.  The Distinguished Chairs Program celebrates outstanding achievement in research, scholarly, or artistic work by U of S faculty or emeriti. The honorary appointments are held for three years, renewable for a second term. Four individuals have been selected in this inaugural round.

"Through their long careers, these individuals have made accomplishments that have had real and lasting impact," said U of S Vice-Provost Jim Germida. "In addition, their commitment to teaching and outreach has ensured their knowledge continues to benefit the communities our university serves."

In September 2010, Dosman was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the senior national body of distinguished Canadian scholars, artists and scientists.   His citation reads, in part: "Dr. James Dosman is considered the Father of Agricultural Medicine in Canada, pioneering this critical field. Through his scientific research and commitment to knowledge translation, he has improved the standard of care for agricultural workers and rural populations in Canada and around the world ... An outstanding physician scientist, he has been instrumental in establishing numerous community outreach organizations..."  After induction into the RSC, Fellows are permitted to use the post-nominal letters FRSC (Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada).

"The U of S is very proud that this exceptionally accomplished researcher who has made tremendous contributions to his field has been recognized with this prestigious honour," said U of S President Peter MacKinnon. 

The announcement brings to 29 the number of current and former U of S faculty who have been elected to the RSC since 1950.   The RSC has a current membership of nearly 2,000 Fellows-men and women who are selected by their peers for outstanding contributions to the natural and social sciences, in the arts and in the humanities.