Born:

April 24, 1938

(Humboldt, Saskatchewan)

Education:

MD, University of Saskatchewan (1963)
MA, University of Saskatchewan (1969)

Awards & Honours:

2011: Officer of the Order of Canada

2011: Inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame

See All Awards
Picture of Dr. James Dosman

The father of agricultural medicine in Canada

Portrait of James Dosman MD

A champion of rural health care

Canada is one of the most rural nations of the world, with 30% of its population living distant from large metropolitan areas. Canada is also the fifth largest agricultural exporter in the world, with more than 2 million men and women working in agricultural production. These men and women, our nation’s farmers, often face hazardous working conditions and health risks unfamiliar or unknown to citizens living in urban centres. As a physician and specialist in respiratory medicine, Dr. James A. Dosman, has devoted his long career to improving and protecting the health of agricultural workers in Canada and throughout the world. Farmers who feed our cities and who help to feed the world have a tireless advocate in Dr. Dosman.

Key Facts

His early work on grain dust exposure and respiratory problems led to the implementation of standards for dust exposure in the grain industry

The Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture remains Canada’s only diversified centre for research, teaching, prevention and service related to agriculture and rural life

He led the development of an internationally recognized code of practice for the International Labour Organization on health and safety in agriculture

The Agriculture Health and Safety Network in Saskatchewan now reaches over 26,000 rural and farm families in 216 rural municipalities across Saskatchewan through municipally based knowledge translation programs

He has held over $18 million dollars in research grants since 2000 and has over 280 peer reviewed publications

Professional timeline

Impact on lives today

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in Canada, but thanks to the work of James Dosman, it is safer than ever before. His years of tireless effort have raised important questions about the impact of agricultural work on health and, as a response, he has created organizations to develop and support improvements. Countless individuals have benefited from his insights, which now form the foundation of agricultural health standards in Canada and around the world. Dr. Dosman’s pioneering work in the field of agricultural health and his legacy of rural outreach, policy development, and research collaboration truly make him the father of agricultural medicine in Canada.

Picture of Dr. James Dosman

2023

  • Photo of James Dosman at Induction

    James Dosman inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

    Montreal, Québec

  • Dr. James Dosman led the International Labour Organization’s effort to design an international safety code

    Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

    “Safety and Health in Agriculture” was published in 2011, bringing health care standards to millions of farmers and agricultural workers worldwide.

  • Agrivita Canada Inc. was formed through the leadership of Dr. Dosman

    Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

    He served as the President and CEO of this non-profit company to support research, public health, and safety in agriculture.

  • James Dosman became the founding Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Health and Safety in Agriculture

    Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

    It was later renamed the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.

  • The Agriculture Health and Safety Network began as a joint venture between the Centre for Agricultural Medicine, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and six Saskatchewan rural municipalities

    Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

    It now operates in 216 rural municipalities across Saskatchewan.

  • The Centre for Agricultural Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan was founded

    Public Health, Health Promotion & Advocacy

    It later became known as the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture and remains the only diversified centre related to agriculture and rural life in Canada.

  • Became the founding chair of the Division of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan

1975

There are lives being saved right now in the world because of his work.