The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce that the recently established Medical Physics Residency Education Program (MPREP) has, for the first time, received full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) through to December 31, 2021.

Medical physicists are health-care professionals with specialized training in the medical applications of physics. Their work involves the use of x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic and electric fields, infrared and ultraviolet light, heat and lasers in diagnosis and therapy. Most medical physicists work in cancer treatment facilities, hospital diagnostic imaging departments, or hospital-based research establishments. Through collaborations with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) in Thunder Bay and Health Sciences North (HSN) in Sudbury, faculty members with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine are educating medical physicists in the North, for the North.

“After much effort, we are delighted to have received this internationally recognized full accreditation for the Medical Physics Residency Education Program at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” says Dr. Peter McGhee, Program Director of NOSM’s Medical Physics Residency Education Program.

During the course of the program, residents (one in Thunder Bay and one in Sudbury) are formal full-time employees of the academic health sciences centres. Through their learning experience, they will gradually develop the practical skills that will allow them to fully and independently participate within the clinical environment. With successful completion of the residency, the graduates are eligible to apply for certification as qualified clinical Medical Physicists.

The program will be recruiting for two new residents with terms starting in October 2019. Successful applicants will enrol in a two-year program addressing all aspects of the clinical subspecialty of Radiation Oncology Physics. The major sections of the training curriculum include evaluation of radiation treatment equipment performance, equipment calibration, radiation treatment planning and delivery, radiation safety, and radiation oncology informatics. In addition, residents are expected to participate in clinically oriented research and be actively involved in teaching. The minimum entry requirement for a residency position is a Master of Science in Medical Physics with preference given to candidates with a PhD in Physics, or a related subject. Graduate course credits are also expected to be CAMPEP accredited. For a copy of the posting, please visit nosm.ca/mprep.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has recognized two exceptional faculty members at this year’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) convocation ceremonies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay on May 31 and at Laurentian University in Sudbury on June 4, 2019.

The NOSM Joint and Stipendiary Faculty (JSF) Promotions Committee recommended the title of Associate Professor Honorarius be bestowed upon Dr. Diarmuid (Dermot) McLoughlin of Sioux Lookout and the title of Professor Honorarius be bestowed upon Dr. Hermann Falter of Sudbury.

On Friday, May 31 at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Mr. John McLoughlin accepted the award on behalf of his father. McLoughlin was a physician and staff radiologist in Sioux Lookout when he became involved with NOSM in 2003. Originally from Ireland, McLoughlin’s distinguished medical career has spanned over 53 years. McLoughlin served as a Northwestern Ontario Medical Program preceptor and teacher for over 14 years and continued his teaching with NOSM as an Associate Professor. He was an inaugural member of the NOSM Board of Directors and served from 2003 to 2011.

Dr. Hermann Falter was awarded the title Professor Honorarius on Tuesday, June 4 at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Falter, a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Laurentian University, followed a distinguished career with Laurentian University with major contributions to the development and success of NOSM. He advised the President of Laurentian University on implementing the NOSM organization and subsequently served as a Board member at the School. On three occasions, Falter served as Chief Negotiator for the NOSM faculty collective agreement, all the while serving as a faculty member at the School.

“This year’s Professor Honorarius and Associate Professor Honorarius recipients are being acknowledged for their exceptional contributions to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” said Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean and CEO. “Dr. Hermann Falter and Dr. Dermot McLoughlin have made valuable contributions to teaching, research, and health care across the North.

Pictured, left to right, Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean and CEO and Mr. John McLoughlin accepting the award on behalf of his father, Dr. Diarmuid (Dermot) McLoughlin.

Pictured, left to right, Steve Paikin, Chancellor, Laurentian University; Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean and CEO; Dr. Hermann Falter; and, Dr. Pierre Zundel, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University.