Alumni Stories
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.
Dr. Gregory Carfagnini named Program Director, Addiction Medicine
NOSM University is pleased to announce that Dr. Gregory Carfagnini has been appointed Program Director, Addiction Medicine, effective April 1, 2026. An enhanced skills medical residency program, Addiction Medicine is open to resident doctors who have completed a two-year family medicine residency. An Assistant Professor and alumnus, Dr. Carfagnini is a dedicated clinician and educator with extensive experience in substance use health, curriculum development, and postgraduate medical education. His clinical work focuses on caring for individuals with complex needs, and he is committed to evidence-based, compassionate, and equity-inform...
Read more about Dr. Carfagnini's role.
Dr. Cole Anderson appointed Family Medicine Self-Directed Program Director
NOSM University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cole Anderson, Clinical Lecturer, as Family Medicine Self-Directed Program Director, effective January 1, 2026. An alumnus of NOSM University’s MD and Family Medicine residency programs, Dr. Anderson later completed enhanced skills training in Emergency Medicine at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He currently practises as a staff emergency physician at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and provides locum emergency medicine services across Northwestern Ontario. Dr. Anderson is actively engaged in medical education at NOSM University, with both the MD an...
Read more about Dr. Anderson's appointment.