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Congratulations Class of 2021! Welcome to your new Profession!

In the next few weeks, we celebrate the Class of 2021. We enthusiastically congratulate 66 newly minted physicians, 73 resident doctors completing their programs, and 12 registered dietitians.

Each of these soon to be graduates has demonstrated integrity and perseverance throughout this pandemic, and are moving on as captivating, courageous, compassionate changemakers.

They have adjusted to the realities of working and learning during COVID-19, an ongoing lockdown, and managing constant uncertainty all in pursuit of a health-care profession that has become one of the riskiest and most dangerous in the world. These amazing graduates leave the safe confines of higher learning to go into practise in rural, remote, Indigenous and Francophone communities across Northern Ontario and Canada.

With this class, the 13th class of MDs, NOSM has now graduated 780 doctors.

This year, we will celebrate online—in style! We have sophisticated speeches and guest appearances from across Canada to say a few words of welcome. We have planned several events including a special retro-convocation for the MD Class of 2020.

“This will be over soon.” That’s what we told ourselves last year. In fact, the pandemic got worse, but we adjusted. Graduates, you had to face a world that is still uncertain, without big weddings, attending funerals, without in-room dining and without that much deserved vacation on the beach. When you cannot have all the pomp because of the circumstances what do you do?

We can celebrate the incredible ways you have made the world a better place over the past year. To all graduates, I want to say: I am in awe of you!

You have so much power and such a bright future. You have first-hand experienced adversity and you know what health inequity looks like—some of you have experienced it. But more, you have actively worked to make a difference and become changemakers. You have inspired the NOSM community with your anti-racism work. You’ve volunteered with Operation Remote Immunity, vaccination clinics, and to support front-line workers when they needed a helping hand. You’ve been mentors to your classmates and colleagues. You’re innovative problem solvers.

I want to share some practical advice:

  1. Stay authentic. Trust yourself. You’ve made good decisions to get to this point in your career. Know that you will continue to be successful if you stay on your path.
  2. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with compassion and integrity. Be inclusive in your language.
  3. Build a strong support system. Continue to strengthen relationships with your biggest supporters at home and at work. Be kind to everyone.
  4. Prioritize wellness. No one is always 100%. There will be ups and downs. Lean on others when you need support and provide the same. Wellness should always be a priority.
  5. Keep in touch. We want to hear from you, please connect with alumni@nosm.ca.

You have the best future ahead! Go on… show off. The world is waiting for you.

“Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.”
—Barack Obama

NOSM Celebrates 2021 MD Grads

SUDBURY
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

THUNDER BAY
Monday, June 7, 2021
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

RSVP to NOSM Celebrates 2021

NOSM Celebrates 2020 MD Grads

Sunday, June 6, 2021
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

RSVP to NOSM Celebrates 2020

Laurentian University Convocation

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.

Information is available at laurentian.ca.
Virtual ceremonies can be viewed on Laurentian’s YouTube channel.

Lakehead University Convocation

Monday, June 7, 2021 at 1 p.m.

Connection details are available on Lakehead’s convocation website.
Information about the ceremonies, distinguished guests/honorees, and a social media celebration kit can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/convocation.

Discovery Day at NOSM inspires curious and enthusiastic Northern youth

Nearly 250 curious and enthusiastic youth from across Northern Ontario met virtually on May 18 to explore exciting career options in medicine and research. This year, a select group of students from 31 high schools across the region were chosen to join hundreds of others who are interested in medicine and science. Read more.

July 2 is a vacation day just for you!
A message to staff and full-time faculty at NOSM

As we approach Canada Day, I am strongly encouraging you to take well-deserved vacation time. In recognition of the additional time you have devoted to NOSM, July 2 will not be deducted from your vacation balance if you are able to take the Friday off. For those who already have booked this time off, your vacation balance will be restored. For those who are scheduled to work on July 2 and are not able to change their schedule, please speak with your supervisor to find an alternative day off. NOSM is very grateful for all the time and energy you have devoted to managing the pandemic, Laurentian insolvency, among other important initiatives.

Homepage News, Indigenous Stories, Media Releases

NOSM and Science North inspire Northern Ontario Indigenous youth to pursue careers in health care

Indigenous youth across Northern Ontario are being invited to learn more about STEM concepts with the goal of inspiring a career in health care. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and Science North signed a collaboration agreement on April 20, 2021 to partner on the delivery of health, life and human sciences related programming to Indigenous youth across Northern Ontario.

“Science North is very excited to be partnering with NOSM to deliver health sciences related educational programming to youth in First Nation communities. The programs developed will excite youth about the science in their everyday lives that relates to their bodies and deepen the understanding of the educational pathways possible to work in a health sciences field,” says Ryan Land, Director of Education and Northern Programs at Science North. “We’re delighted to work with NOSM professionals in designing the curriculum and developing take home STEM kits for youth in First Nation communities. This partnership contributes to our strategic goal of deepening our engagement with Indigenous audiences and being Science North in all of Northern Ontario.”

Science North and NOSM have identified 10 rural and remote schools and five schools in city centres across Northern Ontario at which the Science Day programming will be delivered. Programming will include the virtual delivery of the At Home STEM – Health Connections program for youth ages 8-13, as well as the virtual delivery of Science Days for youth ages 15-18. In addition, Ashlie Laframboise, Learner Recruitment and Support Coordinator at NOSM, will speak with youth about pathways to education.

“With communities spread apart across an expanse of over 800,000 square kilometres, and many of them lacking consistent access to essential services, 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 combining human resources, existing relationships with communities and schools, we can and will make an impact.”

This partnership is 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: news@nosm.ca

Homepage News, Media Releases, News

Registration for NOSM’s Virtual CampMed Now Open

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is excited to announce that CampMed will be offered entirely online from July 12 to July 23, 2021, marking the second year of virtual CampMed.

NOSM’s 16th annual summer camp is designed for high-school students interested in a career in health care. CampMed focuses on four core learning areas: interprofessionalism, leadership, culture, and clinical skills. The experience provides Northern youth with an opportunity to explore a variety of health-care careers and be mentored by post-secondary students.

This year’s virtual CampMed will be led by a team of 27 university student volunteers as well as staff, faculty, and learners from NOSM. Sessions will include CSI, immunology and virology, medical imaging, Francophone and Indigenous health and culture, and much more.

CampMed is open to all Northern Ontario high school students in grades nine through twelve. Students must have completed grade nine to register. Pre-registration is required and there is no cost to participate. Register at nosm.ca/campmed.

For information on CampMed, contact NOSM’s Office of Admissions and Learner Recruitment toll-free at 1-800-461-8777 or by email to campmed@nosm.ca.

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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.

For information regarding NOSM’s CampMed, please contact:

The Office of Admissions and Learner Recruitment
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Phone: 1-800-461-8777
Email: campmed@nosm.ca

For media requests regarding this PSA, please contact:

news@nosm.ca

NOSM University