Full Circle
Posted on June 30, 2026
As summer arrives across Northern Ontario, I find myself looking forward to something many of us look forward to this time of year: a slightly different pace, a little more time outdoors, and an opportunity to reconnect with the people and places that matter most.
This photo captures one of those moments for me.
The image on the right was taken in 1996 at the water taxi dock in Moose Factory during my first year in practice there. The photo on the left was taken 30 years later, in the same place.
A lot has changed over those three decades. Medicine has changed. Northern Ontario has changed. And, as the photos clearly show, I have changed too.
What has not changed is the importance of communities like Moose Factory and the James Bay Coast, and the privilege of being able to learn from and work alongside the people who live there.
This summer, I will once again spend some time providing clinical care on the James Bay Coast. Returning to practice remains one of the most rewarding parts of my work. It keeps me connected to patients, communities, and the realities of health care delivery in the North. It also serves as a reminder of why NOSM University exists and why our mission continues to matter.
The summer months will also provide opportunities to celebrate and connect.
I am looking forward to joining learners, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners at the 20th anniversary celebrations for CampMed in both Thunder Bay and Sudbury. For two decades, CampMed has introduced young people to careers in health care and inspired future generations of health professionals. Many former CampMed participants have gone on to pursue careers in medicine and other health professions, making it one of the many ways NOSM University helps build the future health workforce for Northern Ontario.
We will also welcome visitors from a medical school in South Korea who are interested in learning more about NOSM University’s approach to socially accountable medical education. It is always gratifying to see international interest in a model that was designed specifically for Northern Ontario communities. What began as a bold idea more than 20 years ago continues to attract attention from institutions around the world that are looking for ways to better serve rural, remote, and underserved populations.
Behind the scenes, important work continues across the university. Planning and implementation are underway as we begin bringing our new Strategic Plan, Rooted in the North, to life. Expansion of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education continues, and our teams remain focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting learners, and helping address physician shortages across Northern Ontario.
That work never stops, but summer also offers an important opportunity to pause and reflect on how far we have come.
As I think about standing on that dock in Moose Factory 30 years apart, I am reminded that careers, communities, and institutions are all shaped over time through relationships, perseverance, and a shared sense of purpose.
That has certainly been true of NOSM University.
Whether you are spending your summer travelling, enjoying time with family and friends, working in clinics and communities, or simply taking some well-deserved time to recharge, I hope you find moments to reflect on the impact you are making and the role you play in strengthening health and health care across Northern Ontario.
Thank you for everything you do.
I wish you a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to reconnecting with many of you in September.
Warm regards,
Dr. Michael Green
President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO
NOSM University
If you have any feedback or comments, please reach out at president@nosm.ca.