Gallery
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.
NOSM University and Lakehead University Co-host Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada Gathering
The Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) hosted its 35th Annual Mentorship Gathering from June 4–7, 2026, in Thunder Bay (Animikii-Wiikwedong), on the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation. Proudly cohosted by NOSM University and Lakehead University, this national Gathering brought together approximately 250 Indigenous physicians, residents, and medical students from across Canada. IPAC’s Annual Mentorship Gathering is a cornerstone event that strengthens community, fosters collaboration, and advances Indigenous health by connecting learners and physicians at all stages of their medical journeys. This is...
Read more about the IPAC Gathering.
Celebrating Our Graduates and Building the Future Together
Hello, Aanin, Boozhoo, Tanshi, Kwe Kwe, Bonjour, Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of taking part in some of the most meaningful moments in the academic year at NOSM University. From our ceremonies to convocation, in both Thunder Bay and Sudbury, these events offered an opportunity to celebrate achievement and reflect on the growing impact NOSM University continues to have across Northern Ontario. To the graduating class of 2026, congratulations. Your journey to this moment has required dedication, resilience, sacrifice, and an extraordinary commitment to caring for others. It was inspiring to see graduates cr...
Read the latest edition of Northern Routes: "Celebrating Our Graduates and Building the Future Together."