The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has awarded sixteen medical students with NOSM Dean’s Summer Medical Student Research Awards, valued at $6,000 each. This is the eighth year that NOSM has awarded this grant to qualifying MD students.

“Education and research are equally important in improving the health of the people of Northern Ontario,” explained Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “We are excited to nurture in our students an interest in scholarly activity, and support projects that are directly relevant to the health issues impacting the people and communities of Northern Ontario.”

Unique this year is the volume of grants awarded. In previous years, eight Dean’s Summer Student Awards were available each summer. In order to provide more opportunities for students to engage with the School’s knowledgeable faculty and partake in scholarly activity, the number of NOSM’s 2013 Dean’s Summer Medical Student Research Awards is double the amount of awards available in 2012.

“Weencourage opportunities for medical students to conduct research projects atthe Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” explained Dr. Greg Ross, NOSM’s Associate Dean of Research. “These awards benefit three distinct populations: students, who are able to partake in research and engage with faculty; faculty, who often identify that they enjoy the fresh perspective and varied opportunity for teaching; and the people of Northern Ontario, for whom our research is intended.”

Research Projects Undertaken

The following research projects, carried out across Northern Ontario, provide medical students with the opportunity to conduct hands-on research on a broad range of biological and social research topics while working with an established NOSM researcher.

• Award recipient Hillary Bohler (from Thunder Bay) is investigating Mental Health in University Studentswith supervision from NOSM’s Division Head of Human Sciences, Dr. Elizabeth Levin.
• The project How Northern Ontario Family Physicians Use PSA as a Screening Tool for Carcinoma of the Prostate is being undertaken by award recipient Derek Bos (from Timmins) and supervised by NOSM Associate Professor of Surgery, Dr. Jacques Abourbih.
• Supervised by NOSM Assistant Professor of Surgery, Dr. Mark Thibert, award recipient Tessa Boyer is conducting her research on the pivotal role of the Canadian military in the development of the field of plastic surgery in Canada. Boyer’s research project is entitled Contributions of Pioneering Plastic and Reconstructive Military Innovators from 1920 to 2012 .
• Award recipient John Coccimiglio (from Thunder Bay) is investigating Biological Effects of Phenolic Isomers, Carvacrol and Thymol . Coccimiglio’s project will be supervised by NOSM Associate Professor in Medical Sciences, Dr. Zach Suntres.
• Entitled Developing LGBTQ Health Education at NOSM: Needs Assessment of NOSM Faculty, Residents and Students is being undertaken by award recipient Cara Collins (from North Bay), and is being supervised by Dr. Stacey Ritz, Associate Professor in Medical Sciences.
• Supervised by Assistant Professor in Clinical Sciences, Dr. Mark Thibert, award recipient Robyn Duffus (from Longlac/Greenstone) is undertaking a project entitled, How Did the Events of World War I Shape the Field of Plastic Surgery in Canada?

• Graham Gaylord (from Fort Frances) is undertaking a project entitled Introducing SMHC in Northwestern Ontario: An Analysis of Changing Referral Patterns of Primary Care Providers with the supervision of Associate Professor in Clinical Sciences Dr. John Haggarty.
• Award recipient Martha DiGiuseppe is working on a research project entitled A Pilot Study of the Lived Experience of Patients with Back Pain Receiving “Endoskopia,” Conservative Spinal Therapy Treatment at the Alfen Spinal Clinic in Wurzburg, Germany . NOSM Associate Professor in Human Sciences, Dr. Marion Maar, is supervising this project.
• Award recipient Jesse Gordon (originally from Schreiber) is working with Associate Professor in Human Sciences Dr. Geoff Hudson on a project entitled Nursing Before Nightingale in Eighteenth-Century England .
• Supervised by Associate Professor Dr. T.C. Tai, Kelly Graff (from Hanmer) is researching Epigenetic Regulation of the PNMT Gene in Hypertension .
• Award recipient Valerie Nicholls (from Thunder Bay) is collaborating with Assistant Professor Dr. David Kisselgoff on the project Patient Satisfaction Following Ultrasound-Guided Calcific Tendinosis Rotator Cuff Treatment .
• The project entitled Clinical Evaluation of CT-Based Ventilation Imaging for Early Lung Cancer is being undertaken by award recipient Derek Paradiso (from Sault Ste. Marie), and will be supervised by Dr. Michael Oliver, Assistant Professor in the division of Medical Sciences.
• Originally from Kapuskasing, award recipient Amanda Richer’s project entitled “NOAT” – Neurons, Opiates and THC is being supervised by Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences, Dr. Sandra Stewart.
• Award recipient Tracy Sarmiento (from Thunder Bay) is working with Associate Professor of Human Sciences Dr. Geoff Hudson on a project entitled The History of Seniors’ Health in Ontario, 1974-1996 .
• Working with Associate Professor in Human Sciences Dr. Marion Maar, award recipient Heather Anne Smith’s project is entitled Impact of Non-Traditional, Wilderness-Based Educational Platform/Model on Interprofessional Collaboration .
• Supervised by Dr. Marion Maar, Associate Professor in Human Sciences, award recipient Zsolt Toth’s project is entitled DREAM GLOBAL – Interventions for Hypertension in First Nation and Low-Income Countries.

A national collaborative leadership education partnership between the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM),Université Laval and Queen’s University,has received $2.7 million over three years from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC).  In addition to the substantial support from the five University partners and in-kind contributions of UBC andUniversité Laval, this grant has facilitated international recognition of innovation in health leadership program development across Canada and internationally.

The Canadian Interprofessional Health Leadership Collaborative (CIHLC) was chosen by the U.S. Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Board on Global Health as one of four innovation collaborative projects from around the world. The CIHLC will grow and pilot “leadership mobilization” ideas, outlined in the Lancet Commission Report,Health Professionals for a New Century: Transforming Education to Strengthen Health Systems in an Interdependent World . CIHLC’s vision is collaborative leadership for health system change to globally transform education and health.

In the 21st century, health systems have become so complex that they cannot be managed effectively by a few traditional leaders. Therefore, the CIHLC will develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate an evidence-based and commercially viable collaborative leadership education program. Targeted at emerging leaders in health care, the program will define and confer the competencies required to lead systems change and confront complex health challenges.

The leads for the five-university collaborative include:

• Sarita Verma , Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Maria Tassone , Director, Centre for Interprofessional Education Office, University of Toronto
• David Marsh , Associate Dean, Community Engagement, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• Sue Berry , Executive Director, Integrated Clinical Learning, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• Margo Paterson , Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
• Lesley Bainbridge , Director, Interprofessional Education, Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia
• Emmanuelle Careau ,Professor, Rehabilitation  Department, Université Laval

“This funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care marks an important investment in health human resources. It will support our emerging leaders in acquiring new skills that prepare them to work with communities on very complex health and social situations. This program calls for a new approach to leadership that incorporates the strategic processes of community engagement,” said Sue Berry, NOSM’s Executive Director of Integrated Clinical Learning and CIHLC Co-Lead.

“The Northern Ontario School of Medicine looks forward to being part of this collaborative to encourage a positive revolution in the provision of equally-accessible health care. Educating leaders who can face the complexities of the current system is essential to improving the ever-evolving landscape of public health care provision,” added Dr. David Marsh, NOSM’s Associate Dean of Community Engagement and CIHLC Co-Lead.

On Friday, May 10, 2013, NOSM faculty and learners were presented with awards of excellence from the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO). Awards from the Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Medical Student Citizenship, and Resident Teacher of the Year categories were presented to NOSM teachers, residents and medical learners to recognize the essential role that high-quality clinical teachers play in training new physicians.

PAIRO’s Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Michael Kirlew, NOSM Assistant Professor in Family Medicine and rural physician in Sioux Lookout. Residents from across the province submitted nominations for the PAIRO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. Among the nominations for this prestigious award were many other NOSM faculty members, including Dr. Chris Kupsh (NOSM Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine), Dr. Lawrie Oliphant (NOSM Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine, Respirology) and Dr. John Kargbo (Assistant Professor in Family Medicine).

Dr. Lindsey Churchley, a NOSM second-year resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology, was awarded the PAIRO Resident Teaching Award. This award honours one resident from each university who provides outstanding clinical teaching experiences to junior housestaff and clinical clerks.

The Medical Student Citizenship Award was presented to third-year NOSM MD learner Derek Bos. PAIRO presents this award to one medical student from each university who has made significant contributions to curriculum development, student well-being, faculty relationships or community involvement.

In addition to these award recipients, NOSM staff member Marie Parkkari, Family Medicine Coordinator, was nominated for the Lois H. Ross Resident Advocate Award.

“I extend my sincerest congratulations to all NOSM PAIRO award winners and nominees,” says Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “The quality and quantity of nominations at this year’s PAIRO awards once again demonstrates NOSM’s passion for excellence in medical education. I am extremely pleased that NOSM staff, faculty and learners are being recognized at the provincial level for their dedication to Innovative education and research for a healthier North .” EndFragment–>