How Donor Support Helps Future Physicians Thrive in the North

At NOSM University, no two learners follow the same path. Fueled by their dedication and passion, medical students are shaped by the guidance of preceptors, attending physicians, faculty and peers they meet along the way. Just as importantly, that journey is made possible by the generosity of donors who believe in accessible and equitable health education. Contributions from NOSM University donors are felt strongly in Northern Ontario communities where physicians train, playing a vital role in the ability of medical students to become physicians who deliver culturally and socially responsive care in rural, remote, Indigenous, and Francophone communities.

One such medical student is Evan Jeanneault, a second-year Indigenous medical student at NOSM University, and a recipient of NOSM University’s Truth Award. The Truth Award is a donor-funded bursary, established in 2021 to support Intergenerational Survivors of Indian Residential Schools (IRS), programming, and culturally safe education initiatives that promote reconciliation and long-term health improvements in Indigenous communities.

Originally from North Bay, Evan is a former paramedic who worked across the Nipissing district and is dedicated to pursuing medical education in the North, where he can remain close to his wife and young daughter.

Like many medical students, Evan’s decision to study at NOSM University is deeply personal. This is why donor contributions are so important. “I chose NOSM University as it fits my values and goals, while remaining close to home in Northern Ontario,” explains Evan, “studying medicine in Northern Ontario after many years of working in health care in Northern Ontario, especially during the pandemic, has given me a deeper understanding of the people in the North and the way I can help address the challenges we all face.”

Medical students at NOSM University have the highest student debt in comparison to comparable institutions across Canada, not because tuition is more expensive, but because medical students are recruited from Northern, rural, and remote communities, wherein socioeconomic backgrounds and financial supports vary greatly compared to their southern counterparts.

“The journey through medical school is not without its challenges, whether they be financial, emotional or academic. My background was in social welfare and Indigenous studies, and my last true science class was in Grade 10. Studying biochemistry has been one of my biggest challenges,” Evan shares. “I caught up through disciplined study, peer tutoring, and immense familial support and encouragement to achieve this academic success.”

This is where the true impact of receiving financial aid can be seen—alleviating financial stress and giving medical students the ability to devote extra time to their studies that otherwise may not have been possible.

With the generous support of donors, many of the challenges related to affordability, financial stress, and establishing and maintaining well-being can be addressed for medical students in the North. It can truly make the difference between a learner being able to study close to home and afford the unexpected costs of pursuing medical education. Especially for Evan, who is supporting a family, the impact of receiving financial aid is that much more significant.

“Financial support is always a relief,” he explains. “With a young daughter and moving cities, the bursary eased pressure, which meant better focus, steadier sleep, and more time for studying while being present at home.”

While receiving the Truth Award was a meaningful milestone for Evan, its significance goes beyond just recognition. “It is an honour to receive this award. It reminds me of the work NOSM University does, and what it asks of its students, staff, and graduates in their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across Northern Ontario. I take that work seriously and will keep listening and learning, in classrooms and in community.”

Support through bursaries has tangible, real-world impacts. “More accessible funding would reduce fees, cover upgrading and travel, and make interview trips and placement housing possible,” Evan says. “With barriers lowered, more Northern and Indigenous learners can enter and remain in medicine, and communities gain stable, local care.”

Accessible funding helps to create equity in health education in the region and represents an investment in a sustainable future of health education, research, and well-being for Northern Ontarians who rely on the life-saving work facilitated through the delivery of community-based education.

When asked what advice they would give to future medical students considering a career in medicine in the North, Evan shared that if there is a part of you that daydreams of applying to NOSM University, do it. “You can, and you are capable. Time will pass regardless of how many applications you may need to submit. Come with humility and grit and measure your success by your persistence to carry on, no matter the outcome.”

Donor generosity benefits more than just individual medical students—it strengthens the entire health-care system in Northern Ontario. When we collectively work toward reducing financial barriers for medical students, it means those from diverse backgrounds can pursue medicine and return to those diverse communities where they are needed most.

In Evan’s words, “Donors and communities supporting bursaries act as an investment in Northern students, providing relief for students by removing barriers, while encouraging the students to give back once they complete their education by staying in the North, improving care close to home.”

In this sense, bursaries are more than just financial aid; they are a lifeline for future generations of physicians and allied health professionals to pursue medicine close to home, a sentiment that resonates deeply with Evan’s experience. “Studying medicine in Northern Ontario has helped me solidify my plan to practice close to home, focus on prevention and continuity, and use team-based care with practical access options.”

Donations to NOSM University’s Truth Award can be made online through the University’s website or by contacting NOSM University’s Advancement Office at advancementcoordinator@nosm.ca. Every donation is a representation of the hope and trust in Indigenous medical students, who will continue to provide care, leadership, and advocacy across the region.