Dr. Sarita Verma, Dean, President and CEO of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Cameron, PhD, as the inaugural Academic Director of the Centre for Social Accountability beginning a three-year term on July 1, 2021. Her appointment marks an important milestone in the development of the School’s new Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA).

“Erin is a well-known faculty member and an active academic researcher at NOSM who is highly regarded for her focus on innovative, socially accountable medical education research,” says Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Research Innovation and International Relations at NOSM. “Her track record in fostering strong multidisciplinary research collaborations with broad impact will help guide the Centre forward.”

The Centre for Social Accountability is the only one of its kind in Canada with a core mandate to improve the health of Northern Ontarians, reaching beyond NOSM’s founding commitment to be socially accountable in education, research programs and in advocacy for health equity. Erin Cameron says the Centre is well poised with the support of a network of researchers, partners and contributors already in place.

“I am looking forward to this new role. The Centre for Social Accountability will be the frontrunner to improving equity, access, and population health outcomes that are sustainable with new opportunities and research that are now underway,” says Erin Cameron, who is currently an Associate Professor in Medical Education and Curriculum Development at NOSM. As an educational leader, she represents NOSM on multiple national groups including the Canadian Medical Education Research Centre Directors Group and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada’s (AFMC’s) Social Accountability Network.

“Professor Cameron will assemble a team and engage all NOSM stakeholders in examining the idea of social accountability. The Centre is mandated to lead in socially accountable approaches to care, education, advocacy, social justice and change for the improvement of Northern Ontario’s health. I cannot think of a better leader and passionate researcher to take this Centre forward,” says Dr. Verma.

This new interdisciplinary Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA) will be dedicated to leading-edge population health, primary care research to innovate new models of education, incubate research in social accountability and advocate about issues that address inequitable health care in the North such as poverty, water insecurity and climate change. The CFSA was made possible with support of a $1.2 million donation from Dr. Hugh Robertson, Emeritus Professor of Radiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Clinical Professor of Radiology at Tulane University Medical Centre in New Orleans. The donation was earmarked to address social accountability, health inequity, advocacy for marginalized populations and access to care in Northern Ontario.

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About the Centre for Social Accountability
NOSM’s new Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA) is the only one of its kind in Canada. The Centre will result in improved health of Northern Ontarians while extending beyond NOSM’s commitment to being socially accountable in our education and research programs and advocating for health equity. The CFSA’s integrated approach in the areas of policy leadership and advocacy; research and innovation; education; and community impact will produce a deeper and broader understanding on a range of issues affecting population health outcomes inside and outside the medical system. In this way, the Centre’s social accountability research defines and strengthens the School, making NOSM and its partners more effective in the achievement of this critical mission.

About the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is an award-winning socially accountable medical school renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy for health equity, NOSM relies on the commitment and expertise of the peoples and communities of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote and underserved communities. NOSM’s graduates, faculty, learners and staff are changemakers who lead health-system transformation in Northern Ontario. The School is a recipient of the Charles Boelen International Social Accountability Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada and the prestigious ASPIRE award, which recognize international excellence in social accountability and medical education.

For further information, please contact: news@nosm.ca

Biography: Erin Cameron

Erin Cameron, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Medical Education and Curriculum Development at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). She currently co-chairs the Northern and Rural Health curriculum course in the Undergraduate Medical Education program at NOSM and is a founding member and the Chair of MERLIN (Medical Education Research Lab in the North), a community of practice research group focused on building capacity and doing innovative socially accountable medical education research.

As an educational leader, Erin represents NOSM on multiple national groups such as the Canadian Medical Education Research Centre Directors Group and the AFMC Social Accountability Network. Her program of research focuses on social justice pedagogies that support transformation in education and health systems. With regional, provincial, and national funding focused on socially accountable medical education research, professor Cameron fosters multidisciplinary research collaborations. Prior to joining NOSM in 2017, she held a faculty appointment at Memorial University of Newfoundland and enjoyed a varied career as a professional athlete and communications specialist. Erin loves living in Northern Ontario and enjoys vibrant outdoor adventures with her partner and four young children.

Homepage News, Indigenous Stories, News

NOSM Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day

Gallery Monday June 21st, 2021 Alexandra Poling

June 21, 2021 marks the 25^th annual National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day when we celebrate the diverse culture, the rich history and the wondrousness of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples—our colleagues, friends and family. This date was chosen for many reasons, including its cultural significance as the summer solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Indigenous peoples and communities across the region traditionally celebrate their heritage.

Today is an important day for all Canadians to observe. Participate in Indigenous cultural celebrations and be open to listening and learning about the history, culture and perspectives of Indigenous communities across the North.

11 Ways to Virtually Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day

We must also pay heed to the legacy of missing and murdered women and children, residential schools—particularly with the recent discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the lands of the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation in British Columbia and now more in Manitoba and Saskatchewan—and to lost children of the Sixties Scoop. There continues to be unacceptable living conditions, water and food insecurity, and the spread of the pandemic in vulnerable communities. Please take the time to reflect on systemic racism while also embracing Indigeneity as an inherent integral part of being Canadian.

Today, let’s collectively honour the contributions of Indigenous Peoples, while recognizing their sustained resiliency in the face of systemic racism and colonization.

Northern Routes

Facing acts of hatred: Be courageous, compassionate and kind.

Wednesday June 16th, 2021 Tara Hawkes

This has been a sad month with the discovery of remains of 215 Indigenous children on the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia and the senseless tragedy that took place in London, Ontario with the deaths of four members of a Muslim family and one nine-year-old badly injured and orphaned. These events occurring at the same time as pandemic-related conflicts, including anti-Asian racism, the conflict in Gaza, Black Lives Matter, mental health surges, and long-term care challenges have exposed the tragic impacts on both our young, aged and vulnerable populations. It is also a challenging Pride month as homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and many other gender identity phobias continue to persist in our society.

How do we all cope? As health-care learners and providers, how do we sustain our hope?

Although these political divides, differences in beliefs, socio-economic disparities, and unrelenting media stories of grief and strife may leave us feeling defeated, angry and helpless, the truth is that we are empowered and in positions to make an impact and influence change. By standing strong together, we can make a difference in this world. I am actually feeling pretty inspired right now, so I encourage you to have heart. Let’s look toward to a brighter future.

We’ve just made history here! NOSM has begun a fantastic, unprecedented journey to become Canada’s first free-standing medical university. NOSM University will continue to focus on equity, increasing diversity, and strengthening the culture of inclusion. We will lead in this space.

We are committed and will come together to stop racism in its tracks. We endeavour to look beyond the geographic, linguistic, economic and social conditions and seek to further understand the root causes. NOSM University commits to taking responsibility and looking for actionable ways to make a difference.

A few of you (individually and privately) have reached out to me, especially after I spoke about optimism in my interview with Matt Galloway on CBC’s The Current. You have asked me: ‘How do you keep your chin up?’ Truthfully, it’s been a challenge, however I have a renewed sense of purpose in justice, in standing for what is inherently right, and in support for the truth. What motivates me is doing what is right. This is the value of advocacy and activism that underpins NOSM University’s work. These are the transformative times we will tell our children and grandchildren about. We will collectively be able to say: “I was part of the historic change.”

June is National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diverse Indigenous histories, heritages, and the cultures of the many LGBTQ2SI+ communities. It is an ideal time to reflect on the richness that NOSM University learners, staff, faculty, communities and partners bring to all our lives. I see and hear social accountability in action everywhere in our distributed campus.

A key measure of NOSM’s leadership in Northern Ontario is the economic impact on participating communities. NOSM’s economic impact is estimated to be at least 60 per cent greater than the original government investment in our School. This increase provided an economic stimulus and, along with NOSM graduates who set up practice in the region, has indubitably improved the health and wealth of communities. With this in mind, NOSM University will continue to grow and expand on its socio-economic and political impact (please refer to the recent study below). Our social justice impact will be measured by the work we do in speaking up, advocating for real change, and standing together against all challenges.

This summer, as we embrace the transformative change of NOSM to NOSM University, I encourage you to reflect on the ways in which you are empowered to influence positive changes in society. With each interaction, ask yourself if you are courageous enough, compassionate enough and kind enough to make a difference.

My key message is this: “Be a citizen of the world, be courageous in the world, be a leader in the world. Let change, courage and citizenship be the three Cs that will guide you through the rest of your life.”

Miigwetch, thank you, marsi, merci,

Dr. Sarita Verma
Dean, President and CEO
Northern Ontario School of Medicine

If you have any feedback or comments, please reach out at dean@nosm.ca and follow me on twitter @ddsv3.

Celebrate National Indigenous History Month

There are many ways you can honour and celebrate National Indigenous History Month. Please help share in the celebration by engaging in learning and sharing your favourite resources. For a full list of suggested resources, please visit the Office of Indigenous Affairs and refer to the links below. Mark your calendar for National Indigenous People Day on June 21 and participate in a local event.

Have Pride at NOSM University

Participate, take action or be an active ally by contacting your local pride organisation to find out what your community has planned to celebrate Pride Month. Also, visit the Northern Ontario Pride Network to learn about how communities across Northern Ontario are connecting and advocating against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all gender identity phobias. Membership is free and open to all individuals and organizations. Like, share and follow the Network on Facebook to access the latest events, ideas, resources and promotional activities, and to support diverse sexualities, gender identities, and expression. Let’s embrace our differences at NOSM, learn more at Respect The Difference.

NOSM University Consultations

Throughout the summer we will be consulting broadly with all of our stakeholders as we move forward to shape the vision of the new NOSM University. Your voice is important and highly valued. We want to know what NOSM University means to you and how it should meet your needs. Please email your questions and ideas to nosmu@nosm.ca.

Study of NOSM’s Economic Impact

Did you know that “NOSM-trained physicians practising in the region added an economic impact of $88 M.” to the economy of Northern Ontario? In 2019, NOSM’s total economic impact is estimated to be $107 million and since that time it continues to increase. NOSM University is proud of this positive contribution and continued plans to stimulate the economy of Northern Ontario. Read the full study on the BMC website.

The Timmins tag team

“Louisa Marion-Bellemare and Julie Samson were seeing more and more young, healthy people in the ER with drug overdoses, but they didn’t see the city or local agencies doing enough to stop it. So they took matters into their own hands – and the community followed their lead.” Learn more about this inspiring work by NOSM faculty in this article from The Globe and Mail.