James Rourke is an international leader in rural medical education and rural health care. He began his education in a one-room public school, and has been a rural doctor and a Professor of Family Medicine at both the University of Western Ontario and now Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he has served as Dean of Medicine since 2004. Currently Dr. Rourke is Chair of the Board for the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada. He, along with his wife Dr. Leslie Rourke, are known for developing a widely used evidence based system of care for infants and young children.