Dr. Jamaica Cass
Dr. Jamaica Cass provides guidance in all aspects of work at the school of medicine. This includes working with the executive committee to develop an Indigenous admissions policy, pursue Indigenous community engagement and develop an Indigenous Health curriculum.
A member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Turtle Clan, Dr. Cass practices Indigenous Health as a primary care physician on-reserve at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. In addition, as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen's University, she currently supervises both undergraduate clerks and family medicine residents.
Dr. Cass completed her family medicine residency at the University of Calgary, where she served on the Indigenous Health Working Group in the department of Family Medicine. Prior to her residency, Dr. Cass spent four years in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she completed her Medical Doctorate at Tulane University.
With an extensive background in science, Dr. Cass earned her PhD from Queen's University in breast cancer molecular biology before pursuing a career in medicine. She was recognized with several institutional, national and international awards, including the American Association for Cancer Research MICR Scholar-in-Training Award, the Terry Fox Foundation Transdisciplinary Award and the Robert Sutherland Fellowship. While a student at Queen's, she was active in Indigenous mentorship and advocacy, serving on the Indigenous Council of Queen's University and the Native Students' Association, and mentoring Indigenous undergraduate students.