NOSM University Unveils Rooted in the North Strategic Plan to Expand Access to Care Across Northern Ontario

NOSM University launches Rooted in the North, its 2026 to 2030 Strategic Plan designed to strengthen the Northern health workforce, expand community-based education, and advance health equity across Northern Ontario. The five-year plan sets a clear course to grow training capacity, deepen regional partnerships, and enhance research that directly supports rural, remote, Indigenous, and Francophone communities.

Northern Ontario faces persistent health workforce shortages, long travel distances to care, and disparities that disproportionately affect underserved communities. Rooted in the North responds with tailored actions to train, retain, and support health professionals where they are needed most.

Grounded in a special mission to serve Northern Ontario, the plan builds on NOSM University’s distributed, community-engaged model and outlines measurable goals across education, partnership, research, and institutional growth.

“Health equity in Northern Ontario depends on training and supporting health professionals in the North, for the North,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. “Rooted in the North ensures we grow in a way that strengthens communities, expands access to care, and prepares us to meet the evolving health needs of the region.”

The plan was formed through an extensive consultation process with nearly 2,000 contributions from learners, faculty, staff, alumni, partner organizations, and community members who took part. It establishes four strategic pillars supported by core enablers of social accountability, advocacy, and sustainability.

The Pillars of Rooted in the North include:

1. Deliver exceptional health education for the North

2. Build sector leading partnerships with community, education, and health partners

3. Advance research and graduate studies in the North

4. Strengthen NOSM University’s foundations to enable growth

Social accountability—addressing the priority health concerns of the North—remains central to the University’s direction. The plan commits to advancing health equity for Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities, strengthening culturally safe and anti-racist environments and advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in medical education and health professions.

“Communities across Northern Ontario made NOSM University possible,” said Mr. John Stenger, Chair of the Board of Governors. “Rooted in our special mission and guided by our communities, this strategy ensures we remain strong, sustainable, and responsive as health system needs evolve.”

Over the next five years, NOSM University will put this plan into action by strengthening education, growing research, building partnerships, and supporting sustainable growth.

The Strategic Plan webpage will be live on March 11 at: www.strategicplan.nosm.ca.

The Plan is available now for download in English and French.