A northern calling

By Danica Hidalgo Cherewyk

As a high school student in the 1960s, Dr. James Irvine [M.Sc./98] was interested in animals and considered pursuing veterinary medicine.

A visit to his family doctor in Estevan, Sask., where he grew up, changed that trajectory.

“Have you ever thought about human medicine instead?” his doctor asked.

It was a question that changed the course of his life – and the lives of many others he would encounter throughout his career.

The making of a public health leader

The first physician in his family, Irvine completed his medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in 1976.

As a volunteer physician with Canadian University Service Overseas in Papua New Guinea, he saw the important role of public health in communities.

Upon returning to Canada, he moved with his wife to La Ronge, Sask. What was supposed to be a two-year commitment turned into a lifelong journey.

“I was practising family medicine and flying out to various communities across the North,” he says.

In 1985, Irvine became the first director of USask’s Northern Medical Services. His work with northern communities included serving as a public health physician, recruiting physicians to serve the North and advancing northern health research. The region’s challenges prompted him to expand his expertise in public health.

When he explored public health programs across North America, Irvine found UM was the best fit. He was also drawn to the opportunity to work with public health leaders from UM, including Brian Postl [MD/76], Sharon Macdonald [B.Sc.(Med.)/72, MD/72], Dr. Kue Young and others.

He completed his community medicine residency and master’s degree in community health sciences at UM in 1998.

“That has helped me over the years, especially in my role as medical health officer for the northern half of Saskatchewan,” he said.

Strengthening health-care systems

His research is “eclectic” and spans a wide range of issues based on needs raised by northern communities.

One of Irvine’s most significant contributions was helping a First Nations community and a research team identify a novel gene called DONSON, which is associated with a rare, lethal genetic disorder affecting the community.

This work led to the development of a test to identify carriers and has since reduced the incidence of the condition.

Although he officially retired in 2025, the professor emeritus of public health and preventive medicine at USask continues to teach, support national and provincial boards and committees, and conduct research.

Current projects include the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds cohort study, in partnership with eight First Nations, and chairing a Canadian uranium workers study examining risks associated with uranium mining.

Irvine continues to live in La Ronge and remains active, having completed Ironman triathlons into his 70s. At age 73, he is competing alongside his son in a HYROX race.

What is most rewarding for Irvine is seeing both of his sons enter medicine and serve northern and rural communities.

“I was in a grocery store and an Elder told me how he wanted to thank my son for saving his life,” Irvine said. “It’s great to see the impact the next generation of healthcare providers can make in northern communities.”