The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) announces the appointment of Dr. Shayne Burwell as chair of the SMA Board of Directors. Current board chair Dr. Janet Shannon is leaving the position on May 31, 2026, after serving for nine years.

Dr. Burwell served on the SMA board from 2009 to 2016 and on key committees including as chair of the Tariff Committee since 2018 and on the Payment Schedule Review Committee. He is a Representative Assembly delegate from the Saskatoon Medical Staff Association. Dr. Burwell will guide the SMA board through the next phase of its strategic work.

“I wanted to become the board chair to give back to the profession and to contribute my skills and experience to help grow the future leaders in our profession,” Dr. Burwell said.

“I am always looking to try new things and to challenge myself and I remember fondly working with board chair Dr. Thirza Smith and thinking back then that it was a job that would challenge me.”

Dr. Burwell is widely respected for his leadership roles and surgical expertise. He completed his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 1993, followed by a residency in plastic surgery at McGill University. He pursued advanced training through a Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship at the University of Southern California in 1999.

“Dr. Burwell has long been a trusted and steady voice within the SMA,” said SMA president Dr. Pamela Arnold. “His leadership and understanding of the challenges facing physicians in Saskatchewan make him well-suited to guide the SMA board. On behalf of my SMA board colleagues, I welcome Dr. Burwell to the position. We look forward to working closely with him as we advance the priorities of our members.”

Dr. Arnold extended her sincere appreciation to Dr. Shannon for her dedicated service and leadership to the SMA board. “I learned a lot from Dr. Shannon and leaned on her for guidance and advice during my past year as SMA president,” Dr. Arnold said. “We will miss her presence around the board table.”