The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce that the School’s Health Sciences Library (HSL) and several partner organizations collaborating on an initiative entitled “Project Conifer” were the recipients of the 2010 Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) Divisional Awards held in Toronto on February 27, 2010.

Project Conifer received two awards from distinct branches of the OLA. The Ontario College and University Library Association (OCULA) granted Project Conifer the Award for Special Achievement for planning and implementing a library program which serves as a model to other institutions. The Ontario Library Information Technology Association (OLITA) recognized Project Conifer for its innovative and collaborative approach to adopting an open source library system. Evergreen, which is considered an excellent match for academic libraries, was adopted and modified by NOSM and its Conifer partners.

NOSM’s Health Sciences Library Director, Patty Fink, highlighted the benefits resulting from the adoption of the Evergreen library system, a model that was originally developed by the Georgia Public Library Service.

“This is an enhanced system both from an operational and user standpoint. The library will benefit from the ability to determine its own priorities for systems development, and our clients will benefit from expanded functions that provide enhanced user autonomy,” she said.

Evergreen also enables NOSM to extend its collaboration with community hospitals by encouraging participation in, and adoption of, this integrated library system.

Project Conifer is the shared implementation of a single system that supports 24 different libraries among the five project partners – the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Algoma University, McMaster University, and the University of Windsor.

Laurentian University’s Systems Librarian, Dan Scott, who has been the lead developer for the partners since July 2007, and Project Manager until August 2009, noted the significance of the awards. “These two awards recognize Project Conifer for its innovative and collaborative approach in adopting an open source library system, and highlights the project as an example that others can follow,” he said

Dr. Cathy Maskell of the Leddy Library at the University of Windsor accepted the OLA awards on behalf of the Conifer Consortium at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

This is the first academic consortium to implement Evergreen.

Using a combination of video- and tele-conference connectivity across Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held a regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

NOSM Board member Gratien Allaire, and Mark Fam, a representative of Deloitte Inc., provided the Board with an update on NOSM’s strategic planning for the period of 2010-2015. Dr. Fred Gilbert, Chair of NOSM’s Board, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Board for the extensive work that has been done by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, to date.

NOSM Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, informed the Board that all but one NOSM student was successfully matched to Canadian residency programs on their first attempt, which again places NOSM at the forefront of the other Canadian medical schools. This year’s Canadian Residents Matching Service (CaRMS) match result is a further demonstration of how highly NOSM students are regarded across the country.

Members of the Board approved the Financial Report for the nine- month period ending January 31, 2010.

The Directors received reports from several Board Committees, including the Finance and Audit, Quality Monitoring, Executive, Governance, Nominating, and Advancement Committees.

The Directors also received reports from the School’s Academic Council, Archives Reference Group, Aboriginal Reference Group, and Francophone Reference Group.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is the Annual Board Retreat Meeting scheduled for May 6 – 8, 2010 in Elk Lake, Ontario.

Partnership Identifies Opportunities to Collaborate in the area of Research of Benefit to the Health of Northern Ontarians

Earlier today, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and Algoma University (AU) signed a Collaboration Agreement which will allow the two parties to collaborate and share expertise and resources in the area of research.

During a media event held today at Algoma University, the two organizations announced their shared commitment to providing education which is responsive to the people and communities of Northern Ontario, and highlighted their complementary resources and objectives with respect to research, education, and expertise.

The Agreement between NOSM and AU collaboration lists a number of objectives:

Life Sciences Research

Both NOSM and AU have an interest in life sciences research. There are opportunities for the partners to share expertise and resources to efficiently and effectively meet their respective needs, and to strengthen life sciences research, education, and commercial development.

Regional Access to Research and Resources

In order for NOSM to offer programs of education and professional training in health and health-related fields, it reaches out through the region to conduct research in various venues and with various regional partners. The collaboration between NOSM and AU will expand local and regional access to research and resources that have a direct relevance to the people and communities of Northern Ontario.

Clinical Research

NOSM and AU will work together to share resources, co-manage pan-Northern research initiatives, and engage community level partners with a shared objective of undertaking high-quality, evidence-based clinical research of benefit to the health status of Northern Ontarians. Project benefits will include novel and innovative approaches to health-related education for students and associates of both institutions.

Development of Projects

NOSM and AU will work together to identify specific research projects and joint responsibilities.

“The partnership between Algoma University and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine creates the opportunity for a future of exciting research initiatives,” stated Dr. Celia Ross, AU’s President. “We have a unique opportunity to have new conversations, explore new research possibilities, and to share skills, resources and expertise — all in the interest of the people we collectively serve.”

“A significant component of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s social accountability mandate is to build and cultivate relationships with organizations across Northern Ontario to facilitate common goals,” said Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “This Collaboration Agreement between the Medical School and Algoma University will allow us, and the expanded region, to pursue research initiatives and opportunities that maximize the positive impact our organizations are having in the North,” he said.

“This Collaboration Agreement offers a unique partnership for two organizations with a vested interest in providing education and research that is relevant to Northern Ontario. By sharing resources and expertise, we can undertake new clinical and life sciences research and education projects that are reflective of the needs of Northern Ontarians,” said Dr. Arthur Perlini, AU’s Academic Dean.