NOSM University welcomes new Members to Board of Governors

Monday May 26th, 2025 Tara Hawkes

Bringing fresh insight, five distinguished individuals have joined NOSM University’s Board of Governors. Brent Maranzan, Jason Tremblay, and Catherine Matheson will join effective July 1, 2025, and Diane Quintas will join in January 2026. The Board has also approved the appointment of John Beaucage for a three-year term ending December 31, 2027, following the completion of his Lieutenant Governor in Council appointment to the Board. These accomplished professionals bring a wealth of expertise in health care, law, governance, and community leadership.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brent, Jason, Catherine, Diane and John to our Board of Governors,” said Sue LeBeau, Chair of the NOSM University Board. “Their diverse perspectives and extensive experience will strengthen our ability to advance our mission of improving health and medical education in Northern Ontario.”

Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean and CEO of NOSM University, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our new board members bring a unique blend of skills and a shared commitment to our mission. Their leadership will be invaluable as we continue to enhance medical education, research, and community engagement across the region.”

Brent Maranzan is an experienced entrepreneur, health-care management professional, and consultant with over 20 years of experience. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master of Public Health from Lakehead University, and has pursued advanced studies in Information Systems Management. A Chartered Professional Accountant and Project Management Professional, Maranzan provides CFO-level financial management support to hospitals in Northern Ontario.

Jason Tremblay is a legal professional and community leader who founded J. Tremblay Lawyer Professional Corporation in Sturgeon Falls. With a background in business administration and law, Tremblay has served as president of the Indigenous Law Student Governance at the University of Ottawa and gained experience as Duty Counsel for Legal Aid Ontario before establishing his own practice.

Catherine Matheson is a senior municipal government executive with a focus on community development, strategic planning, and organizational management. Holding a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Social Work from Laurentian University, Matheson has held leadership roles across various municipalities and has a long history of advocating for human service policy and systems change.

Diane Quintas is the Executive Director of the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, where she leads strategic initiatives to improve access to health and wellness services for Francophone and underserved populations across Northern Ontario. With more than 20 years of experience in health system planning, policy development, and community engagement, she is known for her collaborative leadership style, strategic insight, and commitment to equity. Diane holds a Master’s degree in counselling psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology and has extensive experience advancing health and wellness initiatives across the region.

John Beaucage is a respected Indigenous leader who served as Grand Council Chief of the 42-member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation from 2004 to 2006, including a rare re-election by acclamation. He previously served four terms as Chief of Wasauksing First Nation and has extensive experience in governance, mediation, and green energy development. John holds a combined degree in English and Economics from the University of Western Ontario, with postgraduate studies in First Nation planning at the University of British Columbia, and he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Nipissing University in 2009.

These appointments align with NOSM University’s strategic plan, The NOSM University Challenge, which emphasizes strong, accountable governance and diverse leadership to drive innovation. At a meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Board of Governors tasked Dr. Green with leading the development of a renewed strategic plan to guide NOSM University’s next phase of growth and impact through 2030.

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NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.

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

In the Spotlight, Spotlight on Research

Advocating for compassionate opioid treatment in the North

Thursday May 22nd, 2025 Marieta-Rita Osezua

The opioid crisis in Northern Ontario touches many lives and communities. Defined by high rates of opioid-related deaths, overdoses, and substance use disorders, the crisis is made worse by limited access to health care in remote and rural communities.

As a researcher of Opioid Use Disorder and Opioid Agonist Treatment, Dr. Kristen Morin knows that stigma can prevent people from seeking help and treatment. For nearly 15 years, Dr. Morin has studied how people with substance use disorders utilize the health-care system and access services. She is a research scientist with the Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI) and an Assistant Professor at NOSM University.

“The opioid crisis is one of the biggest health equity issues of our time,” she said.

Dr. Morin’s interest in researching opioid use and health equity was sparked early in her career during a placement at a community clinic. Dedicated to helping vulnerable populations, including sex workers and unhoused individuals, she says it really opened her eyes to the health equity issues that exist. “It made me question why someone born into a certain situation faces so many barriers, while I don’t—simply because I was born into different circumstances,” says Dr. Morin.

This question led her to take a population level approach to researching health equity through longitudinal studies and publishing over 30 peer-reviewed articles. Her most recent publication looked at the impact of a transitional housing program on people who use substances and experience homelessness in Sudbury.

Dr. Morin will be giving the keynote address at the 2025 Northern Health Research Conference. An annual conference that brings together health-care professionals, students, residents, and community-based researchers to learn about research in Northern Ontario.

Titled Respecting lives, enhancing care: Addressing the opioid crisis with compassion, Dr. Morin’s presentation will focus on Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) as an effective method for treating people with Opioid Use Disorder and the importance of compassion in treating people.

“My talk aims to move beyond stats and remind us that the issue is ultimately about real people,” she said. “I want people to take away that there is humanity to this crisis too.”

Dr. Morin wants health-care professionals to see Opioid Use Disorder as another chronic illness and treat people equitably. In addition to health-care professionals and researchers, she notes that community organizations and social services also play a role in addressing the crisis.

“The future would be to continue to collaborate with the broader spectrum of providers that impact people who use drugs and take a community centered approach to the issue,” she said.

She is looking forward to sharing more of her work at NHRC.

“I’m really honored and excited to share my ideas with other likeminded professionals,” she said.

Homepage News, Media Releases, News

NOSM University celebrates excellence in health education and leadership across Northern Ontario

Monday May 12th, 2025 Isabella Scola-Lawryshyn

In a year that marks its 20^th anniversary, NOSM University proudly celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of its community during the third annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration, held Friday, May 9, 2025.

This milestone year highlights NOSM University’s two decades of pioneering socially accountable medical education and advancing equitable health care access across Northern Ontario. The Achievement Celebration—held in conjunction with the Northern Constellations and Connections conferences—honoured the exceptional dedication and service of faculty, preceptors, learners, alumni, and staff in health care, research and medical education. A special tribute was paid to 21 staff and full-time faculty members celebrating 20 years of service, each of whom have played a formative role in shaping NOSM University.

The evening also marked a celebration of academic excellence with the announcement of faculty promotions to the ranks of associate professor, full professor, and professor emerita. Six recipients were presented with the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership, recognizing their meaningful impact on health systems and education across the region.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the award recipients,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO. “I am deeply honoured to celebrate the remarkable individuals across the NOSM University community whose efforts continue to strengthen health care, medical education and research in Northern Ontario. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence reflect the very heart of NOSM University’s core values.”

For the full list of award recipients, faculty who were promoted, and those celebrating 20 years of service, please visit https://celebrate.nosm.ca/2025-awards/.

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NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.

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