Current Appointments
Deputy Dean (Research Centres), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.
As Deputy Executive Dean of Research Centres at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, I provide strategic leadership and oversight to the seven Flagship Centres of the Faculty fostering excellence and innovation in health research. My role involves setting the strategic direction for these centres, driving interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring alignment with institutional and societal priorities. Researchers at the Flagship Centres drive the research performance at the Faculty, representing over 41% of the research income of the Faculty and nearly one quarter of income for the University of Sydney. As part of my role, I help foster external relationships between the Faculty of Medicine and Health and the University of Sydney affiliated Medical Research Institutes.
She also maintains her appointment as Professor of Surgery (Status-Only) in the Departmement of Surgery and the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Prof Baxter maintains her appointment with the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (IC/ES) as a Adjust Senior Scientist in the Cancer Theme Group, as well as being an Affiliate Scientist within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St Michael's Hospital.
She also maintains her appointment as Professor of Surgery (Status-Only) in the Departmement of Surgery and the Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Prof Baxter maintains her appointment with the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (IC/ES) as a Adjust Senior Scientist in the Cancer Theme Group, as well as being an Affiliate Scientist within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St Michael's Hospital.
Past Appointments
Executive Dean (Interim), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. (2025 Jan -2025 Aug)
In the role of Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, I provided academic and operational leadership to the largest health faculty in Australia, encompassing over 12,000 students, a budget of more than $700 million, and seven schools across medicine, dentistry, nursing and midwifery, pharmacy, allied health, public health and biomedical sciences. I stabilised the faculty during a period of transition, gave staff confidence in its direction, strengthened educational programs in occupational therapy and dentistry, successfully restructured 3 research centres, and introduced new approaches to research performance, peer review and strategic funding. This experience demonstrated my ability to provide clear strategic direction at scale while maintaining a focus on excellence in education and research.
Head, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. (2020-2024)
In 2020, Prof Baxter relocated to Australia to take on the role of Head, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. As the leader of Australia’s top-ranked School of Population and Global Health, she was responsible for both budget and academic functions of the school. Under her leadership student enrolment increased by 15% and new postgraduate programs were created in health economics, climate change and health, and infectious disease epidemiology.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (2016-2020)
In this role, she had oversight of the academic programming for almost 1,000 students. During her tenure 2 major new courses were created, the MPH in Indigenous Health and Canada’s first Professional Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH).
Provincial Clinical GI Endoscopy Lead, Cancer Care Ontario (2014-2020)
Prof Baxter was responsible for implementation of the Quality Based Procedures initiative for GI Endoscopy in Ontario and oversaw a budget of over $100 million. The role included developing quality based pricing for Endoscopy in Ontario and implementing performance management of endoscopists to ensure all Ontarians have access to high-quality endoscopy irrespective of where they receive their care.
Head, Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto (2013-2019)
Under her leadership, the division of general surgery grew to 15 members with expertise in trauma and emergency surgery, critical care, breast disease, colorectal, hernia and bariatric surgery, performing over 3000 operative cases annually. The Division had a strong commitment to resident education being one of the top training sites for General Surgery at the University of Toronto training 100 learners annually.
In the role of Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney, I provided academic and operational leadership to the largest health faculty in Australia, encompassing over 12,000 students, a budget of more than $700 million, and seven schools across medicine, dentistry, nursing and midwifery, pharmacy, allied health, public health and biomedical sciences. I stabilised the faculty during a period of transition, gave staff confidence in its direction, strengthened educational programs in occupational therapy and dentistry, successfully restructured 3 research centres, and introduced new approaches to research performance, peer review and strategic funding. This experience demonstrated my ability to provide clear strategic direction at scale while maintaining a focus on excellence in education and research.
Head, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne. (2020-2024)
In 2020, Prof Baxter relocated to Australia to take on the role of Head, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. As the leader of Australia’s top-ranked School of Population and Global Health, she was responsible for both budget and academic functions of the school. Under her leadership student enrolment increased by 15% and new postgraduate programs were created in health economics, climate change and health, and infectious disease epidemiology.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto (2016-2020)
In this role, she had oversight of the academic programming for almost 1,000 students. During her tenure 2 major new courses were created, the MPH in Indigenous Health and Canada’s first Professional Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH).
Provincial Clinical GI Endoscopy Lead, Cancer Care Ontario (2014-2020)
Prof Baxter was responsible for implementation of the Quality Based Procedures initiative for GI Endoscopy in Ontario and oversaw a budget of over $100 million. The role included developing quality based pricing for Endoscopy in Ontario and implementing performance management of endoscopists to ensure all Ontarians have access to high-quality endoscopy irrespective of where they receive their care.
Head, Division of General Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto (2013-2019)
Under her leadership, the division of general surgery grew to 15 members with expertise in trauma and emergency surgery, critical care, breast disease, colorectal, hernia and bariatric surgery, performing over 3000 operative cases annually. The Division had a strong commitment to resident education being one of the top training sites for General Surgery at the University of Toronto training 100 learners annually.
