Francophone Features

A compilation of photos of the three physicians. Dr. Alexa Lesperance, left, wears a colorful ribbon skirt and holds a drum. Dr. François Doiron, top right, hugs a goat. Dr. Justin Bell, bottom right, stands in front of a small red plane. Compilation de photos de trois médecins. La Dre Alexa Lesperance, à gauche, porte une jupe à rubans colorés et tient un tambour. Le Dr François Doiron, en haut à droite, tient une chèvre dans ses bras. Le Dr Justin Bell, en bas à droite, se tient devant un petit avion rouge.

Rural Physicians Fill Gaps in Gender-Affirming Care

A trio of physicians are stepping up to fill major gaps in the health-care system and improve access to gender-affirming care in Northern Ontario. Gender-affirming care can be difficult to access anywhere in Canada, but in rural Northwestern Ontario, patients may travel long distances for even routine health checks. Blazing a trail in health care for trans and gender-diverse patients are physicians Dr. Alexa Lesperance in Fort Frances, Dr. François Doiron in Dryden, and Dr. Justin Bell in Sioux Lookout—all NOSM University alumni and faculty, as well as members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community themselves. “Gender-affirming care is lif...

Read more about physicians who provide gender-affirming care.

Elder Theresa Fiddler (left) and Maureen Lacroix (right) Sage Theresa Fiddler (à gauche) et Mme Maureen Lacroix (à droite)

Inaugural NOSM University Honorary Degrees to Celebrate Leaders Who Have Transformed Health Care in the North

Awarding honorary degrees for the first time in its history, NOSM University is recognizing two individuals whose contributions have helped shape the University's mission, strengthen its connection to community, and ultimately improve access to health care across the North. The inaugural recipients, Elder Theresa Fiddler and Maureen Lacroix, have more than a century of health-care work and advocacy between them. Yet their impact is so much more than a sum of years: the results of their efforts have made profound and lasting changes to Northern Ontario health care. “NOSM University exists because of the vision, courage, and commit...

Read more about the honorary degree recipients

Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue stands next to the Franco-Ontarian flag. She has long brown hair and wears glasses and a houndstooth jacket.

NOSM University leader wins national award for contributions to Francophone health

A pillar of Francophone health education advocacy in the North, Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue was recently honoured with the national Une étoile montante (Rising Star) award from the Sociéte Santé en français. The award recognizes a person whose actions exhibit promising leadership in their field and demonstrate exceptional commitment to the development of Francophone health. Barbeau-Rodrigue accepted the award at the Sociéte Santé en français’s AGM on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Director of the Francophone Affairs Unit at NOSM University since 2005, Barbeau-Rodrigue has changed the face of Francophone health education in N...