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NOSM University Celebrates Giving Tuesday with Focus on Charter Class Bursary and the Future of Northern Medicine

On December 3, 2024, NOSM University invites you to participate in Giving Tuesday, a global celebration about giving back in support of the causes closest to our hearts. In Northern Ontario, supporting better access to health care closer to home is a cause we can all champion.

In anticipation of our 20th anniversary in 2025, NOSM University will focus support for this Giving Tuesday on the 2009 Charter Class Bursary.

By contributing to the 2009 NOSM University Charter Class Bursary, donors can help to alleviate the financial burden on future medical learners and ensure that MD students from the North have the opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams.

Did you know?

  • On average, since our inception in 2005, 91 per cent of our MD students have come from Northern Ontario.
  • Medical students from Northern Ontario graduate from NOSM University with about twice the debt load as their peers from other medical schools across Canada. This is not because education here costs more; rather, it is because many Northern MD students at NOSM University do not have access to the same financial and social means as students in the South.
  • Of those NOSM University medical students and learners who complete both an undergraduate degree and residency training in Northern Ontario, about 90 per cent stay to practise medicine in the region.
  • Since our first class of MDs graduated in 2009, about 400,000 people in Northern Ontario—about half the population of the region—have been helped by a NOSM University graduate.

“Financial barriers for MD students in the North are something we can tackle together,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. “Helping to offset the tuition of a deserving Northern MD student will help to strengthen the health-care workforce in the North and, over time, improve access to care for all. I hope we can count you in.”

‘Tis the season to give back. To learn more about Giving Tuesday and how you can support the 2009 NOSM Charter Class Bursary, please visit the NOSM University website page dedicated to Giving Tuesday or contact the university’s development office at advancement@nosm.ca.

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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 peoples 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 or an interview opportunity, please contact: news@nosm.ca.

NOSM University Dietetic Practicum Program Receives Full National Accreditation

NOSM University is pleased to announce that its Dietetic Practicum Program (DPP) has received full, national accreditation from EQual Accreditation Canada. The decision was made effective November 5, 2024, and is in effect for six years.

“This is outstanding news, and testament to the exceptional caliber of health professions work being done at NOSM University,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO. “The accreditation process is onerous for good reason, and the bar is very high. Congratulations to our Dietetics team for meeting and exceeding that bar.”

Formerly the Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program (NODIP), this professional, post-degree program offers learners an opportunity to play a vital role in guiding individuals toward healthier lifestyles, helping them make informed decisions about their nutrition and overall well-being.

“Registered Dietitians are such an important part of the health-care landscape in Northern Ontario,” says Cara Green (RD, MHS), Manager, Dietetics. “Their education and expertise can help empower people to understand nutrition so that they adopt healthy habits and even prevent or manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease, of which Northern Ontarians suffer disproportionally high rates compared to the rest of the province.”

The practicum is a comprehensive 46-week program in which learners are exposed to nutrition care, population health promotion, food provision and management roles in dietetics. Following graduation, learners are eligible to apply for a temporary license with a provincial regulatory body and write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam.

Since it was established in 2007, this program has graduated 207 learners, the majority of who now practise dietetics in Northern Ontario.

 

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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 peoples 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 or an interview opportunity, please contact: news@nosm.ca.

NOSM University Board of Governors Officially Welcomes Dr. Michael Green, New and Returning Board Members—and Looks to Strategic Planning

At its meeting on November 19, 2024, the NOSM University Board of Governors officially welcomed Dr. Michael Green to the role of President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, CEO, and Board member, effective November 1, 2024.  

 “On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am honoured to officially welcome Dr. Michael Green to NOSM University as our new President,” says Sue LeBeau, Chair of the NOSM University Board of Governors. ” Dr. Green’s expertise, vision, and commitment to advancing medical education and research will be invaluable as we work together to evolve our governance, strategy and social accountability. This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for our university, and we look forward to the journey ahead under his leadership.” 

 At the meeting, the Board announced that LeBeau has accepted a reappointment as Board Chair. She is the Executive Director of l’Équipe santé Sudbury Espanola Manitoulin Elliot Lake Ontario Health Team. Previously, she was the CEO at the West Nipissing General Hospital, and the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital. With extensive experience in healthcare administration, community nursing, and education, she has also supported regional health-care planners and home care as the Director of Quality and Risk at the former North-East Local Health Integration Network. 

 Additionally, Mae Katt has accepted a reappointment as Vice Chair. She is Ojibway from Temagami First Nation and a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. Katt holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Master of Education (Curriculum Specialty), and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University. She began her journey with the Board of Governors in September 2020. 

 The Board also welcomed two new members:  

  • Laurel Pirrie, student learner, January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 
  • Peter Thai, Lieutenant Governor in Council appointee (LGIC), 3-year term, September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027 

Board Membership for 2025 includes: Craig Abotossaway, John Beaucage, Dr. Cindy Blackstock (Chancellor), Angela Carter, Dr. Kristy Côté, Dr. Killian De Blacam, Dr. Michael Green (President), Mark Hartman, Mark Hurst, Mae Katt (Vice Chair), Sue LeBeau (Chair), Dawn Morissette, Laurel Pirrie (student learner), Dr. Shemer Ratner, Susan Soldan, John Stenger, Peter Thai, Joy Warkentin. 

For more information about LGIC appointments and current openings on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University Board of Governors, please visit the Ministry of Colleges and Universities website.  

The Board also bid farewell to student governor Dr. Imran Bagha, whose contributions have been instrumental. 

The theme for this two-day session, Leadership in Action—Strengthening Governance, Strategy, and Accountability, reflects a Board commitment to ensuring effective stewardship and aligning with NOSM University’s mission, vision, and values.  

As the existing strategic plan, The NOSM University Challenge 2025, comes to a close, the Board is now moving forward with the next steps in the new strategic planning process, which will get underway in December 2024.  

For more information, including the After Report from this meeting, please visit the Board of Governors section of the NOSM University website.   

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