The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) recently welcomed its first intake of dietetic interns into the new Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program (NODIP). The program, a joint initiative between NOSM and the NODIP Professional Advisory Committee, involves multiple health-care facilities throughout Northern Ontario, with funding provided by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario.

As with NOSM’s medical students and residents, NOSM’s dietetic interns will be undertaking community-based learning, with placements across Northern Ontario. Graduates of NODIP will have an appreciation for the unique health-care needs of Northern Ontario, as well as the cultural diversity of the people who call it home. Of the ten dietetic interns, three will be based in Sudbury, three in Thunder Bay, two in Sault Ste. Marie, and two in Timmins. Placements will take place in hospitals, public health units, long-term care facilities, and clinics and will be coordinated by Denise Raftis, NOSM’s NODIP Coordinator.

Dr. Marc Blayney, NOSM Vice Dean, Professional Activities, welcomed the new interns at a luncheon during their orientation week at NOSM. “It’s a pleasure to welcome our first class of dietetic interns to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. The Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program enhances the School’s commitment to support interprofessional health initiatives in the North,” he said.

The achievement of a sustainable Dietetic Internship in Northern Ontario represents over six years of committed effort by a number of key stakeholders, including Dietitians Canada. Marlene Wyatt, Regional Executive Director of Dietitians Canada, expressed how pleased the dietitians in Northern Ontario are to have an internship program. “Dietitians Canada is very pleased with NOSM’s role and support in the administration of the Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program. The first class of interns will feel the tremendous support from their dietitian preceptors,” she said.

The one-year program will permit graduates of university dietetic programs to complete the necessary practical experience needed to obtain their dietitian registration.

A standing ovation at the recent Francophone Symposium welcomed Mrs. Maureen Lacroix as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) announced the renaming of a student bursary in her honour. The « Bourse communautaire francophone » has been renamed the « Bourse francophone Maureen Lacroix » in recognition of Mrs. Lacroix’s dedication to advancing Francophone initiatives in health-care throughout Northern Ontario.

Mrs. Lacroix was presented a plaque in honour of her contributions, from Mrs. Liliane Beauchamp, a fellow member of NOSM’s Francophone Reference Group and Board of Directors. In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Lacroix acknowledged that bursaries, such as the one renamed in her honour, assist medical students as they focus on their studies and develop an understanding of the unique health-care needs of Northerners.

Proceeds from the voluntary registration for the symposium, in the amount of $3,050.00, were allocated to the newly renamed « Bourse francophone Maureen Lacroix » and matching funds from the Ontario Government doubled that figure. Mrs. Lacroix herself donated the $1,000.00 honorarium she received as Honorary President of the 2007 Francophone Symposium to the bursary fund, which was also matched by the Ontario Government.

NOSM Founding Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, congratulated Maureen Lacroix for her dedication to Francophone initiatives in Northern Ontario. “The renaming of this bursary in Maureen’s name is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary individual who has served the Francophone community of Northern Ontario so well. This bursary will assist Francophone students from northern, rural and remote communities to pursue a medical career closer to home,” he said.

Mrs. Lacroix has dedicated many years of outstanding service to the Francophone community, most notably as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Laurentian Hospital in Sudbury. She has been a member of the NOSM Board of Directors since 2004, a member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors since 1996, and was a key advocate for the creation of NOSM and the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre.

Photograph available on request. For information on bursary, research and other giving opportunities, visit www.normed.ca.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its Annual Members meeting and Board of Directors meetings yesterday. These meetings were video-linked between the School’s West Campus at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and its East Campus at Laurentian University in Sudbury, with other Directors participating via teleconference.

At the Annual Members Meeting, which involves one representative each of Laurentian University and Lakehead University, the audited financial statements for the year ending April 30, 2007 were approved, and members of the Board of Directors for 2007 – 2008 were appointed. The following new Directors were inducted: Jackie Dojack, Tracy Buckler, Arie Hoogenboom, and Fabien Hébert.

Several Directors were also re-appointed, including: John Augustine, John Whitfield, Maureen Lacroix, Sheila Hardy, Hermann Falter, Elizabeth Moore, Liliane Beauchamp, Goyce Kakegamic, and Michael O’Neill.

The Directors received reports from Board Committees, including the Finance and Audit, Quality Monitoring, Governance, Board Executive, Advancement, and Nominating Committees. At the recommendation of the Governance Committee, the Board approved a Conflict of Interest Policy.

A decision was made by the Board to approve a Collaboration Agreement between the North East Local Health Integration Network, North West Local Health Integration Network (“LHINs”), and NOSM.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on December 6 and 7, 2007 in Thunder Bay.