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Francophone Features, In the Spotlight

NOSM student from Timmins aspires to be a hometown doctor

Sébastien Labelle is a second year Francophone medical student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). He holds an undergraduate degree in biomedical science from the University of Ottawa, where he studied solely in French.

“I was a little nervous about coming to NOSM to study in English for the first time, but I have been very well supported here,” Sébastien says. “The Francophone Affairs team at NOSM, specifically Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue and Laïla Faivre, have been a great support and have ensured I can secure placements in French.”

Sébastien says he is inspired by his family—his uncle, who is a surgeon in Timmins, and his family members who travel out of town for care, many of whom face challenges receiving care in English.

Although the curriculum is taught in English, Sébastien says that he speaks entirely in French with his Francophone classmates while in Thunder Bay. He welcomes the opportunities to access French sessions, which include medical terminology and learning how to take a patient history in French. Sébastien has also been pleasantly surprised by those interested in learning more about care in the French language.

“I’ve noticed that a lot of Anglophone students ask to sit in and observe how we interview and take a patient’s history in French.” He appreciates his classmate’s genuine interest in the Franco-Ontarian dialect, medical terminology and Active Offer.

Sébastien is currently part of a research team that will be interviewing Francophone NOSM graduates to determine how participating in the French-language opportunities shaped their learning experiences, student identity, and career decisions. Sébastien is hoping that upon completion of the project, concrete recommendations will be made to improve the School’s Francophone curriculum.

“Although I was worried about studying in English for the first time in my life, I chose NOSM because I knew I wanted to practice in Northern Ontario and I knew I would have opportunities to practise my French throughout the MD program,” says Sébastien. “As a Francophone, I have a voice at NOSM.”

This past summer, Sébastien completed a placement in Timmins—his hometown.  “I really hope to continue to spend time with Francophone physicians. I appreciate how NOSM places emphasis on Indigenous and Francophone health issues. It is inspiring to see NOSM alumni return to their communities, like Dr. Shyanne Fournier,” says Sébastien. Dr. Fournier is a recent Francophone graduate of NOSM’s MD Class of 2021, who started her residency in Family Medicine in Hearst in July.

“Many Francophone patients do not have a family doctor, let alone one that is able to speak their language. I want to be part of the solution,” says Sébastien. “I know a few people who are applying to NOSM through the Francophone Admissions Stream. I know they will feel very supported at NOSM, just as I have from day one. I feel at home here.”

Sébastien says his goal has always been to return to Timmins. He plans to practise medicine and deliver care in French as much as possible.

 

 

 

In the Spotlight, Indigenous Stories

Métis student helps develop the Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada

Jamie Thompson, a second year Métis medical student from Manitouwadge and Ignace, is an inaugural member of the newly formed Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada.

“I was asked to help with the initial development of the association alongside the founding medical students, Jesse LaFontaine from University of British Columbia and Jayelle Friesen-Enns from the University of Manitoba,” says Jamie. “We have been working on hosting talks about how elections would run, what leadership would look like, and the roles that are required to get it up and running.”

Elections for the new board took place on the heels of the announcement that Santanna Hernandez was elected the first Indigenous Medical Student to be elected President of the Canadian Federation of Medical Students, representing over 8,000 medical students across Canada.

Jamie is helping with social media, the IMSAC brand and has participated in discussions about plans for the new governing council circle to be formed this fall.

“I’ve applied for the advocacy role in the upcoming year. If I’m elected, I will be excited for the new leadership circle to be formed and come into fruition,” says Jamie. “Right now, we’re a skeleton team working on procuring funding and seeking advice from Elders on how to create the council and choose an Indigenous name.”

Once the governing council is formed, they plan to create a vision and adopt a constitution. Jamie is looking forward to the different advocacy opportunities and learning about the issues that are important to Indigenous medical students across the country.

“It’s definitely a passion. Advocacy is something I do throughout the year and this is an even bigger platform. I’m encouraging other Indigenous medical students from NOSM to become members and apply and/or participate in nominations,” says Jamie. “I’m hoping to see NOSM students in some of the other roles at the Indigenous Medical Students Association of Canada both this year and in the coming years.”

Jamie says the structure of the Association will be based on principles of Indigenous governance. “It was very fulfilling to have a conversation with fellow Indigenous medical students and talk about how we didn’t want it to be a hierarchical board. We envision all leadership positions sitting in a circle. Surrounding the inner circle are those overseeing the leadership, including the support of co-chairs, past presidents and honorary physician members. It’s exciting to design a way we can work together, in circle.”

To learn more about the Indigenous Medical Students’ Association of Canada, please visit imsac.ca or follow them on Instagram and Twitter @imsacindigenous.

Homepage News, Indigenous Stories, Media Releases, News

NOSM and Science North engage Indigenous youth

Indigenous youth across Northern Ontario have been learning more about STEM concepts through health sciences programming developed in partnership between Science North and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Working to further build relationships with Indigenous communities in the North, the organizations are empowering Indigenous youth to achieve their learning goals and promote the careers in health care.

A fun and informative session was held on November 1, 2021, to highlight the partnership with rural, remote and Indigenous Northern communities. The educational programming delivers health sciences related content focusing on health, human sciences, and wellbeing. “This partnership contributes to our strategic goal of deepening our engagement with Indigenous audiences and being Science North in all of Northern Ontario,” says Ryan Land, Director of Education and Northern Programs at Science North.

During the spring of 2021, the team provided 15 schools with Science Day programming, with over 350 youth participants. Programming was completed virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students were able to participate in synchronous learning opportunities through various online platforms. Students in communities with limited internet connectivity were also able to participate in asynchronous learning sessions with recorded video.

Summer 2021 programming included the delivery of a variety of age-based STEM kits to 21 rural, remote and Indigenous communities, resulting in the delivery STEM kits to more than 1,500 youth who were able to complete a hands-on activity to enhance their learning in the health sciences.

The boxes include three different STEM kits:

  • Junior (Grades 4-6): Olfactory System and Scents
  • Intermediate (Grades 6-9): Concussion Goggles
  • Senior (Grades 9 &10): Circulatory System

When Northern Ontario suffered multiple forest fires leading to the evacuation of many rural, remote and Indigenous communities in the summer of 2021, NOSM answered the call to action by partnering with local health-care leaders, First Nation communities, and Science North to deliver programming to evacuees who were evacuated to larger urban centers, including Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

“Indigenous youth in Northern Ontario often find themselves isolated and disproportionately affected by the social determinants of health,” says Yolanda Wanakamik, Director of Indigenous Affairs at NOSM. “By partnering with communities, we will make an impact on the number of youth who are engaged with science, interested in setting educational goals, and possibly working towards a career in health care. Importantly, our youth mentors will show them what’s possible for their future.”

This partnership represents one of four cornerstones supporting the recently established Indigenous Health Practitioner Pathway at NOSM, made possible through the generous donation of founding supporters RBC, with a funding commitment of $195,000 through RBC Future Launch, and a $20,000 donation from the Aubrey and Marla Dan Foundation.

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About Science North 
Science North is Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across the province. Science North maintains the second – and eighth- largest science centres in Canada. Science North’s attractions include a science centre, IMAX® theatre, digital Planetarium, butterfly gallery, special exhibits hall, and Dynamic Earth: Home of the Big Nickel. Science North, in partnership with Laurentian University, have developed North America’s first and only comprehensive Science Communication program, a joint graduate diploma program. As part of its mandate, Science North provides science experiences throughout Northern Ontario including outreach to schools and festivals, summer science camps and more, and has a permanent base in Thunder Bay providing outreach to the Northwest. Science North is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For more information, please visit sciencenorth.ca.

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: communication@nosm.ca

Emily Kerton
Senior Scientist
Outreach and Indigenous Initiatives, Science North
Phone: 807-631-4076
Email:  kerton@sciencenorth.ca

NOSM University