NOSM University appoints interim Associate Dean, Clinical Faculty Affairs to enhance academic leadership and clinical faculty support

NOSM University has named Dr. Barbara Zelek as the new Interim Associate Dean, Clinical Faculty Affairs leading the Clinical Sciences Division.

Dr. Zelek graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1998 and completed her Family Medicine residency at Queen’s University. Since 2002, she has practised as a rural generalist family physician in Marathon and other Northern Ontario communities, providing care in emergency medicine, office-based practice, obstetrics, and hospital medicine.

A dedicated member of the NOSM University community since 2005, Dr. Zelek brings extensive experience from multiple leadership roles. She recently earned her Canadian Certified Physician Executive designation. As former Division Head of Clinical Sciences and former Chair of Family Medicine, she has made lasting contributions to medical education and to the development and support of NOSM University’s clinical faculty.

A Professor, founding member of NOSM University Research Toward Health Hub (NORTHH), and the Physician Lead for Research and Data at the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity, Dr. Zelek has also been instrumental in advancing research across the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Barbara Zelek to this new role. Dr. Zelek’s appointment reflects NOSM University’s commitment to strengthening academic leadership and ensuring that clinical faculty are well supported at every stage of their academic journey,” says Dr. Owen Prowse, Vice President, Clinical Partnerships and Hospital Relations.

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NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.

For further information, please contact: news@nosm.ca.