A Lasting Legacy: Carolyn Sinclair’s memory lives on through Sinclair Family Bursary

When Carolyn Jean Sinclair joined the Board of Directors at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine—now NOSM University—in 2010, she brought with her a deep sense of responsibility to her community, a passion for education, and the unwavering belief that the health of Northern Ontario could be strengthened through collaboration, innovation, and compassion. 

For six years, Carolyn served as a member of NOSM University’s Board, contributing her wisdom and perspective during a period of growth and transformation. Those who worked alongside Carolyn remember her as an energetic advocate for the mission of NOSM University, reflecting her lifelong dedication to improving access to health care and education across the region. 

Carolyn’s journey to NOSM University was rooted in her broader life of service. Born and raised in the Oshawa, Ontario area, she was a lifelong learner with a variety of interests. After completing her education at the University of Toronto, she taught at various educational institutions and went on to work in roles that supported the advancement of education and health care. She subsequently pursued studies at Laurentian University, where Carolyn earned both an undergraduate degree in French and a Master of Arts in Humanities. 

Alongside her professional work, Carolyn was an active volunteer, contributing to countless organizations that enriched the cultural and social fabric of her community. Her varied volunteering included teaching English as a second language, delivering fitness classes at the YMCA, lending her time to the Canadian Cancer Society and St. Peter’s Church, as well as serving on boards of the Trillium Foundation, the Theatre du Novel Ontario, and Laurentian University (serving as Board Chair from 2007-2011). Carolyn’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning were evident in every role she undertook. She never shied away from difficult conversations, and she embraced new ideas with optimism and courage. Whether it was championing the arts, advancing health-care causes, or mentoring young leaders, Carolyn approached each commitment with warmth and conviction. 

Devotion to family was as central to Carolyn’s life as her public service. Together with her husband Mac, she raised two children, James and Ian, instilling in them the values of kindness, integrity, and service. Her home was a place of love, learning, and lively conversation, and her friendships stretched across generations and communities. Carolyn had an extraordinary gift for making people feel seen and heard, which extended into every aspect of her life. 

One of Carolyn’s most enduring contributions to NOSM University was the creation of the Sinclair Family Bursary, which provides scholarships to medical students, helping to ease the financial burden of pursuing a medical degree. Following her passing in November 2024, Carolyn’s family chose the bursary as a way for friends and loved ones to honour her life, resulting in an outpouring of support that strengthened the fund for future students. 

The generosity shown in her honour reflects how deeply she was loved and stands as a testament to her legacy of compassion. By championing the education of future physicians, Carolyn’s legacy continues to shape the health and wellbeing of communities across the North. Each bursary recipient who goes on to serve in a clinic, hospital, or health centre carries forward Carolyn’s vision for a healthier North, extending her impact through the countless patients and families whose lives are touched by the care of NOSM University learners and alumni. 

As a Board member, Carolyn understood the importance of NOSM University’s social accountability mandate: the idea that a medical school must directly respond to the needs of the people it serves. She championed policies and initiatives that strengthened this mandate so that NOSM University graduates would not only be highly trained but also deeply connected to the communities in which they would work.  

Today, her legacy lives on at NOSM University through the Sinclair Family Bursary and through the many learners and colleagues inspired by her example. Each donation made in her memory strengthens the bursary and extends her impact, ensuring that Carolyn’s belief in education, health care, and community endures for generations.