^{Updated: June 30, 2026 | Next Update: August 2026}

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), created in 2002, made history by becoming Canada’s first independent medical university—now known as NOSM University—on April 1, 2022.

NOSM University is one of the greatest medical education success stories of Canada. Born of a grassroots movement, NOSM University is a made-in-the-North solution to regional health care inequalities. Its internationally recognized distributed, community-engaged learning model is distinctive and has grown into something extraordinary.

This education model requires NOSM University to have strong ties and engagement with remote, rural, Indigenous, and Francophone communities. It features partnerships and collaborations with more than 500 organizations, in more than 90 communities, and with more than 1,800 clinical, human, and medical sciences faculty dispersed across all of Northern Ontario.

In addition to offering a Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools fully accredited MD program, NOSM University offers a Master of Medical Studies, Dietetic Practicum Program, Medical Physics Residency Education Program, Physician Assistant, and Postgraduate Residency programs accredited by both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and College of Family Physicians of Canada.

NOSM University has a mandate to be socially accountable to the cultural diversity of the region it serves, including Indigenous and Francophone peoples, remote communities, small rural towns, large rural communities, and urban centres. Evidence of this mandate can be found in the University’s curriculum, administrative structure, research programs, student demographics, continuing education program, and more.

NOSM University faculty, staff, and students do not function in a traditional medical school building. Rather, the walls of the University are the boundaries of Northern Ontario, spanning thousands of kilometres, with two main campuses and countless communities that are linked to the University.

MD Program

• As of May 2026, NOSM University has graduated 1,111 MDs—101 are Indigenous and 224 are Francophone.
• More than half of these physicians have stayed in Northern Ontario.
• A remarkable 34 of this year’s MD graduates matched to family medicine. This figure represents 47% of the 2026 graduating class, far exceeding the national average.
• All NOSM University medical students have a first-year placement in what is called Integrated Community Experience. This is a mandatory four-week placement in a First Nation community, a Métis organization, or an Indigenous health organization in Northern Ontario.

Residency Programs

• As of May 2025, 973 residents have completed training. This includes residents who completed more than one residency program.
• As of June 2024, residents who have completed training include 31 who are Indigenous and 59 who are Francophone.

Dietetic Practicum Program

• To date, NOSM University has graduated 215 learners who go on to become Registered Dietitians. Notably, 63% of the 2022-2025 graduates are practising in Northern Ontario.

Accolades for NOSM University

• Dozens of NOSM University faculty, staff, and learners receive international, national, provincial, and local awards each year. For a full list of recent award recipients, visit celebrate.nosm.ca.
• NOSM University is a proud recipient of the 2019 Charles Boelen International Social Accountability Award, presented by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.
• In 2013, NOSM University received the prestigious ASPIRE award, which recognizes international excellence in social accountability and medical education.
• NOSM University has been honoured 11 times by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada with the Rural Medical Education Award for the highest proportion of graduates choosing rural family medicine.

Community Partnerships

• NOSM University currently has 42 Indigenous community partnerships who have signed long-term partnership agreements to host students. The long-term partnership provides a framework for both NOSM University and Indigenous community partners to collaborate for successful placements for both communities and students.

Facts & Figures

• In 2018, NOSM contributed an estimated $122-134 million in new economic activity in Northern Ontario.