Leadership within the International Order of St John is grounded in service and few journeys reflect that more clearly than that of Sub Prior Dr. Michel C. Doré. From his beginnings as a teenage first aid instructor in Canada to his appointment as one of the four Grand Officers of the Order, his path has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to emergency care, volunteerism, and public service.
Over the decades, Dr. Doré has combined frontline clinical experience with senior leadership in emergency management and health at provincial and federal levels. Today, as Sub Prior, he supports national establishments across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA regions, strengthening governance, fostering collaboration, and helping to expand the Order’s global impact.
In this conversation, Dr. Doré reflects on the experiences that shaped his professional and St John journey, the responsibilities and opportunities of his current role, and what continues to inspire his dedication to service.
Could you tell us a little about your role as Sub Prior?
As Sub Prior, I serve as one of the four Grand Officers of the International Order of St John, sharing responsibility for ensuring sound governance across the Order and providing oversight of our global operations. A key part of my role is to support our national establishments, particularly the associations and to help strengthen collaboration and capacity across our three regions: the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
I see my role, above all, as enabling the success of our national establishments. A key part of this is serving as a connector of expertise — identifying the strengths, talents, and experience within one establishment and mobilising them to support others in their development.
To me, this is inherently multidimensional. It encompasses our clinical and educational missions, while also extending to governance, leadership, management, government relations, communications, emergency management, and the many other capabilities essential to our collective success.
Could you share a little about your background and how it has shaped your journey with St John?
In my youth, I joined the Army Cadets in Canada, where I was first introduced to a St. John Ambulance first aid course. In 1978, at the age of fifteen, I became a St. John Ambulance first aid instructor. That early experience profoundly shaped my professional life and instilled in me a lasting commitment to volunteer service. It sparked a strong motivation to provide clinical assistance in times of emergency.
I went on to complete a paramedic program and later a nursing degree, where I incidentally met my wife.
In 1980, I assumed a paid role as a St. John medical responder at Montréal International Airport. I still vividly recall the sense of powerlessness we felt when receiving an emergency landing alert. That experience marked the beginning of my enduring interest in disaster response and emergency management.
I later completed a master’s degree in Community Health and a doctoral degree, both focused on emergency management. Over the course of my career, I was appointed Associate Deputy Minister for Emergency Management in Quebec and later served as Associate Deputy Minister for Health with the Canadian federal health department.
Throughout my journey with St. John, I have served in many capacities: instructor, medical first responder, National Emergency Management Coordinator, Quebec Council Commissioner, Chair, and now, with great privilege, Sub-Prior.
St. John has profoundly shaped my professional life. In turn, I have been fortunate to reinvest my experience and expertise back into the organisation that first set me on this path.
What inspired you to take on the role of Sub Prior, and what motivates you in this position?
The inspiration builds from my lifelong commitment to assist in time of emergency, my interest for international work and my love of people. The role of Sub Prior comes in my life at the crossroads of my professional tracks, my recent retirement from my government senior official career and my drive to keep contributing to a safer world. Even though, I never anticipated being part of St. John International leadership, this appointment is aligned with my decades’ long commitment to St. John and the leadership functions I assumed in Quebec and in Canada.
What do you find most rewarding about serving as Sub Prior?
Meeting so many talented and enthusiastic people in our global St John family. It is inspiring and moving to see what everyone does and more so, the impact everyone has on people’s life and health around the world.
Can you share a story of a moment when you felt particularly proud to be part of St John?
When the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops entrusted St. John Ambulance Canada to organise and support the clinical needs of the pilgrims during the 2022 Pope Francis reconciliation visit in Canada. The pope came to meet with First Nations people in three locations in the country. I was assigned to coordinate the services for the Quebec site. This meant that St. John was coordinating the services provided by federal and provincial health personnel, ambulance services, and our St. John volunteers. As we have the experience of, we have established an on-site field hospital and multiple first aid stations to provide culturally responsible physical and mental health services.
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for growth or impact for St John in the coming years?
There remain, around the world, significant unmet health needs where St. John can make a meaningful difference. The current challenges we face, including climate change, major disasters, geopolitical conflicts, shifting population demographics, and migration, all carry profound health implications. Populations and governments alike are struggling to respond adequately.
This reality underscores the continuing relevance of our mission, past and present. Our history is marked by moments of great challenge in which the Order rose to meet the need. The era we are living in is simply another such moment.
As a global health service organisation, we are uniquely positioned to recognise needs at a global scale, mobilise capabilities nationally, and respond locally. This gives purpose to our commitment and value to the time, passion, and service we dedicate.
We must therefore look beyond the lens of our past and current services and explore new ways to expand the impact of our actions. Education and training remain core strengths within our collective capabilities. They empower individuals to take greater responsibility for their own health and safety, while reinforcing our credibility as a trusted and capable health partner.
Beyond their skills and dedication, our volunteers are a source of inspiration for St. John’s leaders and managers. With that inspiration comes responsibility, the responsibility to foster an environment in which they can grow, thrive, and contribute fully to our mission.
What drives you personally to give your time and energy to St John?
The meaningfulness of our organisation aligns closely with my life’s mission, values, and experience.
While it is an honor to be part of such a historically rich and respected organisation, it is humbling to continue the work of those who have paved the way over a thousand years of history. At the same time, it is deeply rewarding to be part of this ongoing journey.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role like yours?
Keep investing in your passion and talents. Invest your passion and talents where its meaningful to others and fits your values. Make yourself available for the challenges of the time. Let your achievements speak for yourself. Trust yourself and the people around you for achieving more than what anyone can do alone.
And finally, what’s one thing you think people at St John would be surprised to know about you?
My hobbies include piloting airplanes, skydiving and scuba diving.
This Q&A with Dr. Michel C. Doré highlights the dedication, expertise, and vision that guide the International Order of St John. Through his role as Sub Prior, he continues to strengthen national establishments, encourage collaboration across regions, and inspire the global St John family to serve communities in need.
