Executive Group
The Executive Group is the most senior administrative body for operational matters at NOSM University. The Executive Group is responsible for ensuring that all operational, financial, and academic administrative aspects of NOSM University function successfully.
Dr. Sarita Verma
President and Vice Chancellor
Dr. Sarita Verma is the President and Vice Chancellor of NOSM University. She was formerly the Vice President, Education at the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada from 2016 – 2019 and a Professor Emerita in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Until January 2016, she was the Associate Vice-Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions and Special Advisor to the Dean of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Formerly the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (2008-2015) and Associate Vice-Provost, Health Professions Education (2010-2015), she is a family physician who originally trained as a lawyer at the University of Ottawa (1981) and later completed her medical degree at McMaster University (1991). She has been a Diplomat in Canada’s Foreign Service and worked with UNHCR in Sudan and Ethiopia for several years.
Dr. Verma is the 2006 recipient of the Donald Richards Wilson Award in medical education from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; the 2009 co-recipient of the May Cohen Gender Equity Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada; and, the 2016 recipient of the Charles Mickle Fellowship from the University of Toronto for excellence in medical education. From 2009-2011, she was one of the lead consultants for the Future of Medical Education in Canada Postgraduate project. For six years she held the position of Governor at the University of Toronto, has been a board member of several teaching hospitals, the Michener Institute, Associated Medical Services, and the Chair of the Canadian Residency Matching Service. From 2011 to 2015, she was the Co-Lead for the Canadian Interprofessional Health Leadership Collaborative (CIHLC) at the Institute of Medicine’s Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professions Education and was a key member of the Association of Academic Health Centers International Steering Committee.
A world traveler and leader of national and international projects, Dr. Verma is a recognized scholar in the areas of leadership development, distributed and interprofessional education models, Indigenous health, physician wellness, health human resource and workforce planning, accreditation of health professions education programs, and a superb reviewer and problem-solver of challenging situations. She also excels in the design and establishment of foreign health and education systems, governance and organizational assessments, and in strategic planning and strategic implementation. Uniquely qualified, Dr. Verma brings her skill/strength as an expert in the accreditation of health sciences programs, the rigorous application of social accountability and curricular reform, her outstanding skills in conflict resolution and complex disciplinary issues, and her experience as a diplomat to the resolution of high-risk medical-legal issues and complex collective bargaining.
For more from Dr. Verma, please see her blog titled Northern Routes.
Dr. Céline Larivière
Provost and Vice President Academic
Céline Larivière (PhD, RKin) has served as Laurentian University’s Dean of the Faculty of Health from 2017-2021 and the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health between 2021 and 2022.
She is a Laurentian Alumnus (BEPS,1992, MSc Biology 1994) and has a long-standing interest in the area of exercise science and human physiology. She pursued doctoral studies in Physiology at the University of Ottawa between 1994 and 1999 then completed post-doctoral training for a period of two years at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. She began her career at Laurentian University in 2002 as an Assistant Professor in the School of Human Kinetics. During this time, she developed a research program in the area of muscle cell biology. She has collaborated on research projects focusing on occupational health and safety and related to the regulated health care profession of Kinesiology in the province of Ontario. Her teaching expertise is in human physiology, and she has taught courses in human growth and development, sport injury management as well as exercise science and wellness. Over the years, she has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in rehabilitation sciences, medicine and research.
She has extensive administrative and educational leadership while at Laurentian University as Interim Provost and Vice President, Academic at Laurentian University (2022), Vice-dean Francophone Affairs of the Faculty of Professional Schools (2003-2005), Interim Director of Research (2011), Director of the School of Human Kinetics (2012-2017) and Dean of the Faculty Health (2017-2021) and Dean Faculty of Education and Health (2021-2022). She has had a faculty position at NOSM/NOSM U for many years. Outside the university, she was a member of the Executive committee for the Canadian Council of University Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators (CCUPEKA) and served on the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario’s University Liaison committee.
Dr. David Marsh
Vice Dean, Research, Innovation and International Relations
Dr. David Marsh is the Vice Dean Research, Innovation, and International Relations of NOSM University, and Adjunct Scientist ICES North. He graduated in Medicine from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1992, following prior training in neuroscience and pharmacology. From July 2010 to Feb 2018 Dr. Marsh served NOSM as Associate Dean, Community Engagement.
Prior to moving to NOSM University, Dr. Marsh held leadership positions with Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care, and faculty appointment with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia from 2004-2010. Previously, he held leadership roles at the Addiction Research Foundation and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto from 1996-2003. Dr. Marsh was Chief Medical Director for the Canadian Addiction Treatment Centres from 2014 to 2020. Author of over 150 peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and government reports, Dr. Marsh’s research interests focus primarily on treatment of opioid dependence. He received the Nyswander-Dole Award from the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Fellowships from the International and American Societies of Addiction Medicine in recognition of his contribution to this field.
Dr. William McCready
Vice Dean, Clinical Relations
Dr. William McCready is a retired clinical nephrologist who provided specialized kidney care to the patients of Northwestern Ontario for almost 40 years. He is especially proud to have helped to establish the multi-discipline renal team at what is now the Thunder Bay Regional Academic Health Sciences Centre and to have advocated for and overseen the start of satellite dialysis units in Sioux Lookout and Fort Frances. He has taught medical students and residents since the first year he arrived and went on to have administrative roles in the Northwestern Ontario Medical Program, including serving as its last chair before the arrival of NOSM University. Dr. McCready was formerly NOSM University’s Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Senior Associate Dean at Lakehead University. The experience he gained at NOSM lead to his serving as interim President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre for nine months.
Bill has also served on the board of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario where he sat on their Discipline, Fitness to Practice and Quality Assurance committees.
Ray Hunt
Vice President, Administration and Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Ray Hunt is currently responsible for the management of resources, infrastructure and systems essential to the operations of NOSM University. Prior to joining NOSM University, Mr. Hunt gained extensive experience in health care administration throughout his career. Mr. Hunt previously served as the CEO of the Espanola Regional Hospital (ERH), overseeing the operations of an integrated health campus that includes acute, emergency, long-term care, primary care and seniors housing/assisted living. During this tenure, ERH experienced significant program growth/expansion and improved access to medical services. Under his leadership, Mr. Hunt secured capital funding that enabled the redevelopment of the hospital’s Emergency Department. Prior to joining the ERH, Mr. Hunt spent 24 years working in the Ontario Public Sector on a variety of initiatives that focused on Northern and rural health. As Director of Family Health Teams (FHT), Mr. Hunt oversaw the creation of FHTs across Ontario. Previous positions included managing the implementation of new rural physician payment models in Northern Ontario and oversight of the Northern Health Programs, including Physician Recruitment and Retention Programs and the Northern Health Travel Grant. Mr. Hunt is also a former member of the joint Ontario Medical Association (OMA)/ Ministry of Health (MOH) Physician Human Resources Committee, where he gained much insight into health human resources (HHR) issues and capacity planning requirements to address future needs. Given his experience managing various HHR programs, Mr. Hunt was previously appointed to the OMA/MOH Expert Panel to review changes proposed for physician recruitment programs. This work resulted in the creation of the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative. Mr. Hunt is a former board member of Health Force Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, whose mandate includes the distribution of physicians and interprofessional providers to underserved areas of Ontario. Most recently, Mr. Hunt was appointed by the MOH as an expert advisor in the ministry’s review and selection of Ontario Health Teams and a joint OMA/MOH committee to review the Rural and Northern Physician Group Agreement.
Dr. Rob Anderson
Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education
Dr. Rob Anderson is a dedicated clinician at Health Sciences North in Sudbury where he has practiced anesthesiology and critical care medicine since 2006. He completed his medical degree at McMaster University in 2000 and then went on to Queen’s University to train in anesthesiology, perioperative transesophageal echocardiography and critical care medicine. He helped create the NOSM University Anesthesiology Residency Program and led the development of the simulation Lab at the HSN Labelle Innovation and Learning Center. He is a passionate educator with an interest in improving feedback, workplace-based assessment, simulation-based education and change management. He has worked with the CFPC and the Royal College, developing and implementing competency-based education. He was the recipient of the 2014 RCPSC Program Director of the Year award and the 2016 CAME Certificate of Merit.
Dr. Tara Baron
Associate Dean, Continuing Education and Professional Development
Dr. Tara Baron is a general consulting pediatrician in Sudbury. She has been involved with NOSM University since its inception and is currently Pediatric Program Director and the Sudbury campus lead for the pediatric clerkship. An award-winning physician, Dr. Baron has been recognized for her innovation and excellence in supporting medical learners. She has won both faculty- and student-nominated awards for teaching excellence and received the 2022 Competence by Design Innovator Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Joseph LeBlanc
Associate Dean, Equity & Inclusion
Dr. LeBlanc is a life-long Northern Ontarian and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Before joining the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, he worked for a diverse range of organizations, including academic institutions, Indigenous organizations, charities, and non-profits. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Forest Conservation, an Environmental Management Certificate, and a PhD in Forest Sciences from Lakehead University. Dr. LeBlanc is recognized as a leading expert in Indigenous food systems and community development in Canada. He has also received several awards including a Top 20 under 40 Northwestern Ontario Visionary Award and a Forty under 40 Northern Ontario Business Award.
Dr. LeBlanc brings to the role a range of skills and experiences that will build on NOSM University’s strengths as a medical school founded on NOSM University’s values of social accountability, collaboration, inclusiveness, respect and innovation. In the role, Dr. LeBlanc will provide vision and leadership in the Office of the President by promoting equity, increasing diversity, and strengthening the culture of inclusion among the School’s faculty, staff, learners, alumni, and friends, in collaboration with community and academic partners.
Dr. Sarah Newbery
Associate Dean, Physician Workforce Strategy
Dr. Sarah Newbery, is the Associate Dean, Physician Workforce Strategy and is located in Marathon, Ontario. In her capacity as Associate Dean, she will work closely with NOSM U leadership and health-care organizations across Northern Ontario and beyond, to seek integration and new models of health-care delivery and services, such as a Rural Generalist Pathway, the School’s First Nations residency program, and funding models to support rural and remote physicians. Dr. Newbery has been highly engaged with the School since its inception and has been on several curriculum and related committees since then.
Dr. Newbery completed medical school at McMaster and postgraduate family medicine training in Thunder Bay through the Northern Ontario Medical Program. A fellow of both the CFPC and the SRPC, Dr. Newbery has been a rural physician in comprehensive community practice in Marathon since 1996 and was Chief of Staff of the North of Superior Health Care Group for 16 years. She is a past board member of the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) and is a past President of that organization. Most recently she was the VP Clinical for the Northwest LHIN and co-chair of the Northern Physician Resources Task Force, Dr. Newbery is also on several provincial health related committees and has been an active community teacher and faculty member at NOSM University since its inception. Dr. Newbery believes strongly in equitable access to care for citizens of Canada’s rural communities and loves the professional work of being a comprehensive family physician in rural practice.
Dr. Harshad Telang
Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs
Dr. Harshad Telang was NOSM University’s Division Head, Clinical Sciences prior to taking on the role of Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs. A general surgeon, Dr. Telang has been practising in Thunder Bay since 1999. He was the Thunder Bay Site Director for McMaster University’s General Surgery Residency Program from 2001 until 2008 when he became the first Residency Program Director for the NOSM General Surgery Residency Program. After completing his term as Program Director, Dr. Telang became the first Section Chair of General Surgery at NOSM in 2013. He has been involved with leadership in clinical education as a member of the Board of Directors for both the Physician Clinical Teachers’ Association (PCTA) and the Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA).
Dr. Lee Toner
Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education
Dr. Lee Toner is an emergency physician at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. He completed his medical degree at Dalhousie University prior to doing his residency training in Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine through the Northeastern Ontario Family Medicine Program (University of Ottawa). Prior to taking on the role of UME Dean, Dr. Toner worked at NOSM University as the Phase 3 Director (Clerkship Year 4) for over 10 years. He strives to continue to advance the social accountability mission of the medical school in Northern Ontario. Dr. Toner is a proud Francophone, originally from New Brunswick. He now resides in Sudbury with his wife and three children. Outside medicine, Dr. Toner enjoys running, cycling and curling. He has represented Northern Ontario at the Brier (Canadian Men’s Curling Championships) on several occasions.
Lance Dyll
Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration
Mr. Lance Dyll is the Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration. In this role, Mr. Dyll supports the on-going development, implementation, and oversight of NOSM University’s administration systems and resources.
Mr. Dyll is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant and has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Lakehead University. Prior to joining NOSM University, Mr. Dyll was the Director of Corporate Services for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit from 2018 to 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Dyll held leadership roles in Municipal Government and Junior Mining Companies. Mr. Dyll has extensive experience implementing strategic initiatives and operations in both public and private sector environments.