Jean Wilkins (born June 20, 1945) is a Canadian former paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. He is a full professor of paediatrics at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Medicine.[1] Wilkins is known for his contributions to the field of adolescent medicine. His main research interests include adolescent drug use, teenage abortion, adolescent sexuality and the mental health effects of anorexia in teenagers.[2]
Jean Wilkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 20th, 1945 Salaberry-de-Valleyfield |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Spouse | Josette Trépanier |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Québec |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Adolescent medicine |
| Institutions | Université de Montréal, CHU Sainte-Justine |
Early life and education
editWilkins was born in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Québec, Canada[3], and educated at the Valleyfield Seminar, obtaining his bachelor's degree in 1965.[2] In 1970, he graduated from the University of Montreal with a Doctorate in Medicine, and received his medical license in 1971.[2] In 1974, he became a certified specialist in paediatrics, recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.[2] It is in 2011 that Wilkins furthered his specialization by earning a certification in adolescent medicine from the Quebec College of Physicians.[2]
Fellowships
editIn 1973, Wilkins started his training in adolescent medicine at the Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center in New York, where he completed a Fellowship in 1974.[4] That same year, he was granted Fellowship status from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.[2]
Notable contributions
editJean Wilkins is known for developing holistic and mental health-focused approaches to the treatment of eating disorders in teenagers, such as anorexia nervosa.[5] He has published many works, including the first book on adolescent medicine written in French, "Médecine de l'adolescence: une médecine spécifique" (1985).[4] Dr. Wilkins' gentle and individualized methods for treating adolescent anorexia have since been adopted by practitioners throughout French-speaking areas worldwide.[6]
Medical career
editJean Wilkins' career spans 5 decades during which he became a world leader in the field of adolescent medicine[4] in both academia and clinical practice, and held various positions at the University of Montreal and CHU Sainte-Justine.[7]
CHU Sainte-Justine
editIn 1975, Wilkins founded the first Adolescent Medicine section in the Francophone medical community[8] within the CHU Sainte-Justine's Department of Pediatrics, where he served as a member from 1974 to 2024.[4]
In his early career, he focused on treating teenagers with substance abuse issues, alongside other conditions such as diabetes.[4] Wilkins later advocated for improved sexual and reproductive health services for young women by supporting the provision of contraception to adolescent girls and the establishment of abortion services within the hospital.[4] From 1977 to 1978, he was responsible for coordinating the liaison between CHU Sainte-Justine's Department of Paediatrics and the Montreal Urban Community Police Service to establish a comprehensive support program for victims of sexual assault.[2]
Dr. Wilkins was involved in leadership roles at the CHU Sainte-Justine[4], most notably serving on the hospital's Paediatric Department's Section Chiefs Committee (1982-1989) and the Committee on Health Promotion (1996-1997).[2]
Professorship
editJean Wilkins' career at the University of Montreal's Faculty of Medicine began in 1974 as assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1979 and became a full professor in 1986[2], a position he still holds as of 2024.[1] International lecturer, Wilkins was involved in training many physicians and paediatricians who later held positions in adolescent medicine in Quebec and Europe. He also participated in the establishment of the first adolescent medicine service at a university hospital in Paris[4], namely Bicêtre Hospital.
He chaired the Association of Medical Clinical Educators of Montreal (AMCEM) from 1997 to 2009 and held numerous committee roles at the University of Montreal. These include serving on the Admission Committee for the medical program (1975-1993), leading as president from 1992 to 1993.[2]
Honours and recognitions
edit- 1999: Received the Founder’s Award from the International Association for Adolescent Health.[4]
- 2012: Named "Personality of the Week" by La Presse and Radio-Canada.[9]
- 2016: Appointed a member of the National Order of Quebec for his pioneering contributions to adolescent medicine, having treated over 2,500 young women with anorexia through his individualized and compassionate approach, which has become a reference model for medical professionals across Quebec and other international Francophone regions.[6]
Selected books and articles
editBooks
editWilkins, J. (1985). Médecine de l’adolescence: Une Médecine Spécifique. Hôpital Sainte-Justine.[10]
Wilkins, J. (2012). Adolescentes anorexiques: Plaidoyer pour une approche clinique humaine. Presses de l'Université de Montréal.[11]
Gagnon, K. (2019). Jean Wilkins: Le doc des ados. Canada: Groupe Fides Incorporated - Éditions La Presse.[12]
Articles
editWilkins, J. & al. (2005). Eating disorders during adolescence: long term sexual, gynecological and obstetrical outcomes. Pediatric Child Health.[13]
Wilkins, J. & al. (2012). 58. Sociodemographic, Clinical, Psychological and Behavioral Characteristics of Children 8-12 Years Old Hospitalized for an Eating Disorder. Journal of Adolescent Health. 50. S42. 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.10.117.[13]
Wilkins, J. & al. (2012). Retrospective study of children (8–12 years) treated for eating disorders over a 15-year period. Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence. 60. S154-S155. 10.1016/j.neurenf.2012.04.181 [14]
References
edit- ^ a b "Chercheur". La recherche - Université de Montréal (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wilkins, Jean (2015). "Curriculum Vitae" (PDF). Université de Montréal.
- ^ "Le Journal Saint-François | Le docteur Jean Wilkins a fait figure de précurseur". Le Journal Saint-François (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Chicoine, Jean-François (2024). "Hommage aux pionnières et pionniers". CHU Sainte-Justine. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ spéciale, Martin Beauséjour, collaboration (2012-03-19). "Dr Jean Wilkins". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-10-24.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Jean Wilkins – Ordre national du Québec". www.ordre-national.gouv.qc.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "Jean Wilkins, le doc des ados : soigner l'adolescence où ça fait mal". ici.radio-canada.ca (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ "Le Journal Saint-François | Le docteur Jean Wilkins a fait figure de précurseur". Le Journal Saint-François (in French). Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Beauséjour, Martin (19 March 2012). "La personnalité de la semaine: Dr Jean Wilkins". La Presse. p. 12.
- ^ Wilkins, Jean (1985). Médecine de l'adolescence: une médecine spécifique (in French). Hôpital Sainte-Justine. ISBN 978-2-920001-24-4.
- ^ Wilkins, Dr Jean (2012-03-01). Adolescentes anorexiques: Plaidoyer pour une approche clinique humaine (in French). Les Presses de l'Université de Montréal. ISBN 978-2-7606-2762-8.
- ^ Gagnon, Katia (2019-10-10). Jean Wilkins: Le doc des ados (in French). Éditions LaPresse. ISBN 978-2-89705-762-6.
- ^ a b Research Gate. "Jean Wilkins's research while affiliated with CHU Sainte-Justine and other places". Research Gate. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Meilleur, D.; Jamoulle, O.; Georgieva, P.; Séguin, M.; Taddeo, D.; Wilkins, J.; Frappier, J. (July 2012). "Retrospective study of children (8–12 years) treated for eating disorders over a 15-year period". Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence (in French). 60 (5): S154–S155. doi:10.1016/j.neurenf.2012.04.181.