Financial Assistance (Awards and Bursaries)

NOSM University is fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals and organizations that have made generous donations towards various awards and bursaries. These funds help ease the financial burden of residents and, in turn, help improve the health of the people of Northern Ontario by allowing residents to focus more on becoming a great medical practitioner.

2023-2024 Award Recipients 

Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc. 

Dr. Rooshatay Amjad is an international medical graduate originally from Pakistan. She relocated to Saskatchewan in 2019 after completing her medical school training from Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan. She recently moved to Sault Ste Marie with her family for Family Medicine residency training. Dr. Amjad is passionate about rural medicine and women’s health and will be pursuing additional training in obstetrical surgical skills. In future, she intends to work in a rural community in the Algoma district to make healthcare more accessible in those areas. She believes receiving the Tenaris Award will relieve a significant financial burden from her educational journey and will assist her in her future endeavours. She is looking forward to honing her clinical skills and making unforgettable memories during her residency journey in beautiful Northern Ontario.

Dr. Marina Cardinez is originally from the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  She completed her medical school training at Aureus University School of Medicine in Aruba. Dr. Cardinez is passionate about the lifelong trajectories of the people in her community. She has a particular interest in Indigenous medicine, rural emergency medicine and mental health and addiction medicine. Dr. Cardinez is active in her beloved community and has served in various local food banks and soup kitchens. She is an avid photographer and admittedly knows too many “dad jokes”.  She is optimistically looking forward to positively impacting access to primary care in Northern Ontario.

Dr. Ella Chochla is originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Carleton University and her medical school training at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury. She is currently a family medicine resident in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Dr. Chochla is passionate about increasing access to primary care in Ontario. She plans to have a broad scope of practice, including outpatient clinic, and inpatient care. She has a particular interest in low-risk obstetrics and women’s health. Dr. Chochla is active in the medical community and co-founded a peer support service for rural patients during the covid pandemic. She is an animal lover and avid yogi. She loves northern Ontario’s easy access to nature and enjoys hiking on her days off. She is looking forward to continuing working with medical students during the remainder of her residency and working as a family physician in northern Ontario.

Dr. Rebecca Comeau is originally from Burns Lake, a rural, resource-based community of 1800 in northern B.C. She completed her medical undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia, Southern Medical Program in 2020 (Kelowna). Dr. Comeau then completed two years of post-graduate mental health specialist training before joining NOSM’s Family Medicine residency program in Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Comeau is passionate about addressing the unmet care needs and health inequities of people living in rural-remote and northern communities, particularly those reliant on resources or heavy industries. Her medical interests are broad. As a medical professional, she values comprehensive care of the whole person, partnership, community, collaboration, quality improvement, and (above all) compassion. She has a special interest in and dedication to underserved and vulnerable populations, particularly people living with complex, chronic conditions, substance use disorders, and mental health challenges. Dr. Comeau is active in the community and has served both formally and informally in several medical education initiatives, physician/ medical trainee wellness, and leadership roles. She is a lifelong lover of stories and hopes to write one someday. Dr. Comeau is looking forward to discovering the great outdoors and exploring Sault Ste. Marie’s history and connecting with its people and community during her journey through Family Medicine residency. As Dr. Comeau’s decision to pursue a medical career was inspired by her experience as a United Steelworker (Local 1-2017) and an industrial tragedy at the lumber mill where she once worked, she is honoured to be recognized by Tenaris and the steelworkers of Sault Ste. Marie.

Dr. Michelle Filipovic was born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario. She completed her medical school training at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and is now pursuing her family medicine residency training in Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Filipovic is passionate about Northern
Ontario and fulfilling the health care needs of its communities. She is grateful to be a recipient of the Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc. award and how this will support her future as a health care professional.

Dr. Megan Gray was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. She is currently a second-year Family Medicine resident in Sault Ste. Marie. She completed her medical school training at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Sault College through Laurentian University. Dr. Gray is passionate about preventative care, chronic disease management and inpatient hospital medicine. She strongly values her community, the longitudinal relationships formed with patients that family medicine allows for, and the collegiality and tight-knit medical community in the Sault. Dr. Gray is active in the community and has served on various committees in the hospital and looks forward to continuing this as a new physician. She looks forward to practising in her hometown in the very near future. She is grateful for this award and its significant contribution to her medical education and training.

Dr. Afsheen Mehar is from Southern Ontario, now proudly calling Sault Ste Marie home. She trained and practiced in Pakistan before coming to Canada. In Canada, she has actively worked in outreach for underserved palliative patients in the inner city, did multiple research projects in mental health & addictions, ER, POCUS and preventative medicine. She is known for her advocacy for patients and internationally trained physicians.  She is a passionate educator and has been teaching and mentoring medical learners globally for a long time. Her vision and interests revolve around Family medicine, Acute and critical care, austere and Climate change medicine, Simulation in medical education and advancement in AI technology to benefit a stronger healthcare. Dr. Mehar is a proud mom and a professional cake decorator as well. She is super excited to bring her healthcare vision to life in Sault Ste Marie, ON.

Dr. Danielle Trecroce was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie where she is currently training as a family medicine resident. She completed her medical school training at NOSM University in Sudbury. Dr. Trecroce is looking forward to practicing family medicine in her hometown, specifically providing care both in the clinic and hospital settings. She has a particular interest in child and adolescent care, preventive medicine, and acute hospitalist care. Outside of medicine, she enjoys running, skiing and spending time with her family. She is grateful to receive the Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc. Award and appreciates how it will support her in her future endeavours as she begins her medical practice in her hometown in the near future.

Dr. Sri Vardhani is an International Medical Graduate, and she grew up in a small town called Gobichettipalayam in the southern part of India. She is a first-year Family Medicine resident in Sault Ste Marie. She completed her medical training in Sri Muthukumaran Medical College (Chennai, India) and followed it up with a post-graduate degree in Anesthesiology from the National Board of Examinations in India. Dr. Vardhani is passionate about practicing as a generalist physician in rural and underserved communities. She has a special interest in Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine. Being an adventure-loving person, she is looking forward to exploring the many hiking trails in and around the Sault Ste Marie area. Dr. Vardhani is grateful for this award and hopes it will help her in pursuing rural training to enhance her skills as a generalist.

Elliot Lake Retirement Living Postgraduate Award

Dr. William Wannan is originally from Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada. He is currently a first-year Rural Family Medicine resident in Elliot Lake. He graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc, Human Kinetics degree, then completed his medical school training at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Tirgu Mures, Romania. Dr. Wannan is passionate about Family Medicine and values creating strong relationships with his patients while helping them with their needs. Dr. Wannan is active in the community and has served as a coach/trainer for Elliot Lake Minor Hockey and Elliot Lake Minor Soccer Association. He loves hockey, golf and skiing and is looking forward to continuing his medical journey in Elliot Lake.

How to Apply

Award Application Form 2024-2025

Residents applying for an award should complete the Awards Application Form by the closing date.

Application Opening Date: July 28, 2024
Application Closing Date: August 18, 2024
Application Review: September 29, 2024
Announcements: October 20, 2024

Awards Available in 2024-25 Application Cycle

B2023-1a: Elliot Lake Retirement Living PG Award = 1 @ $5,000

1. Awarded to a NOSM University Family Medicine Resident based in the city of Elliot Lake

B2023-2a&b: Manitoulin Transport PG Award(s) = 2 @ $5,000

1. Awarded to two Family Medicine PGY1 Residents entering the Family Medicine – Rural Stream
2. The Award Recipient agrees to complete their Residency in Family Medicine on Manitoulin Island
3. Preference will be given to learners who completed their undergraduate medical degree at the NOSM University.

B2023-3a: Tina Sartoretto Memorial Post Graduate Award = 1 @ $5,000

1. To support a NOSMU Family Medicine learner that agrees to complete their (PGY1) residency in Family Medicine (Rural Stream) in the Temiskaming Shores region (hospital or health centre).
2. To support  NOSM University and for that purpose, preference will be given to learners who completed their undergraduate medical degree at the NOSM University.

B2023-5a: Tenaris Global Services (Canada) Inc.  = 10 @ $5,000

1. PGY1 or PGY2 resident matched to Family Medicine in Sault Ste. Marie.