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Northern Routes

Hello, NOSM University! Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Dr. Michael Green, but most people call me Mike. It is my great honour to be back in the North, this time as President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. As you may already know, Northern Ontario holds a special place in my heart. I spent eight wonderful years as a family doctor in Moose Factory and Kashechewan, and I have seen firsthand how important NOSM University is to improving access to health care.

There is no question in my mind that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Over the last two decades, Dr. Sarita Verma and Founding Dean Emeritus Dr. Roger Strasser did monumental work building NOSM University into what it is today: a world-class destination for health professions education and research, and a beacon of light in the pursuit of health equity for all. I am humbled to be entrusted with carrying forward this vital mission.

Dr. Verma’s leadership over the last five years has been a master class in focus, determination, and agility. She not only kept NOSM University stable and operational during the global pandemic but also made it the first independent medical school in Canada. Under her leadership, NOSM University achieved full accreditation, and the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity was established. On top of that, she has overseen historic and ongoing expansion efforts, and she and her team secured the first $50 million for the NOSM University Student Endowment Fund, which will help so many students achieve their dreams. She is legendary.

Dr. Strasser was dean at the former Northern Ontario School of Medicine when I was first working in the North. He was inspirational to me then and remains a visionary leader in rural health education. Dr. Strasser’s dedication to improving health-care access in underserved communities has rightly earned him international recognition. His commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire others undoubtedly contributed to the success of what is today NOSM University.

My top priority is to continue to build upon the relationships that have already been established. These connections are the lifeblood of our institution, and they help to ensure that our educational and research programs remain responsive to the specific needs of the region. As we shape the direction of our next strategic plan, I want to assure you of our unwavering commitment to transform health human resource planning, and to advance social accountability. We will continue to innovate health professions education and bolster research capacity in Northern Ontario. Most of all, we will stay focused on excellence in health professions education to help improve health equity in Northern Ontario.

I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional faculty, staff, students, learners, and partners of NOSM University as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Together, we can build on the incredible foundation laid by my predecessors and work toward a healthier future for Northern Ontario. I also look forward to meeting our generous donors and accomplished alums whose support and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our mission.

I am inspired by the possibilities ahead.

Dr. Michael Green
President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO
NOSM University

If you have any feedback or comments, please reach out at president@nosm.ca and follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @DrMichaelGreen1.

Join us in celebrating Giving Tuesday and NOSM University’s 20th anniversary!

We are excited to announce our countdown to Giving Tuesday! This year, in honour of NOSM University’s 20th anniversary, we are celebrating Giving Tuesday by highlighting the 2009 NOSM Charter Class Bursary.

Join our first MD class in supporting future health care leaders by donating to the bursary they established. Together, we can help deserving students overcome financial obstacles. Help us reach our $25,000 goal!

Learn more and donate at nosm.ca/givingtuesday.

 

Nominations open for the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University 2025

The third annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration will take place again on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, as part of the Northern Constellations conference.

This gala event honours excellence and leadership among individuals in the NOSM University community.

In 2025, NOSM University learners, staff, and faculty members will again be honoured with the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University, which were established last year by Dr. Sarita Verma.

The awards will be given to three recipients in the Northwest and three in the Northeast, representing a learner, staff member, and faculty member, respectively. Recipients need not reside in Thunder Bay or Greater Sudbury.

Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, such as effective communication, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to NOSM University’s values and mission, and contributed significantly to the betterment of the NOSM University community. Learners, staff, or faculty can nominate their peers for the awards. All current part- and full-time learners, staff, and faculty are eligible.

Nomination Deadline: Please complete nominations by January 17, 2025. A selection committee will review nominations and make final decisions by January 24, 2025.

Submission: The nomination and all accompanying documents must be submitted using this online form.

Questions: Please email externalrelations@nosm.ca.

In the Spotlight

NOSM University student named Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society

For fourth-year NOSM University student Alexandra Klem, her appointment as Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is an opportunity for her to empower fellow medical students in their pursuit of pediatrics.

Alexandra has been a member of the CPS since 2022 and her experience with the Society propelled her to apply for this position. In her role, she is organizing a national student-to-resident mentorship program, developing podcasts, and hosting mock CaRMS interview sessions to support students exploring and applying to pediatrics.

Before attending NOSM University, Alexandra studied Life Physics at the University of Waterloo. Having grown up in Sudbury, she always wanted to attend NOSM University for its unique rural opportunities and strong focus on social medicine.

Alexandra says she is interested in pediatrics because of its family-centered, holistic, and preventative approach to care. She enjoys the challenge of working with children through the different ages and stages of growth. “Children evolve as rapidly as they grow, and I appreciate the creativity this requires in my approach to care,” Alexandra says.

In addition to working with kids, Alexandra is interested in the administrative side of medicine, which is another reason she got involved with the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Preventative and evidence-based medicine are important to her, and she would like to contribute to developing CPS statements and guidelines in the future. As the 2024-2025 Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society, Alexandra hopes to foster more collaboration nationally.

“I think it’s wonderful when we learn from each other, and we can collaborate on initiatives across the country. We accomplish far more when we work together,” she says.

Board, Homepage News, Media Releases, News

NOSM University Welcomes Dr. Michael Green as New President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO

NOSM University is pleased to officially welcome Dr. Michael Green to the role of President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO, effective November 1, 2024.

Dr. Green succeeds Dr. Sarita Verma, who is retiring after five years of dedicated leadership. The NOSM University Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Green on June 13, 2024.

“Dr. Verma redefined health professions education and health equity in Northern Ontario, shaping NOSM University’s future with vision, passion, and excellence,” says Sue LeBeau, Chair of the NOSM University Board of Governors. “We welcome Dr. Green with confidence and excitement and look forward to the next chapter of growth as Canada’s only independent medical university.”

Dr.  Green brings a wealth of leadership experience to NOSM University from his time as Chair of Family Medicine at Queen’s University and as the 70th President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

His dedication to health care spans clinical practice, research, and policy advocacy. He practised family medicine for over eight years in Moose Factory, Ontario, where he also served as Chief of Staff. His research is widely recognized, focusing on primary care, quality of care, equity in health, and Indigenous health, with over $40 million in grant funding and more than 100 publications.

“I stand on the shoulders of giants at NOSM University,” says Dr. Green. “My priority is to build on the strong relationships that Dr. Verma and Founding Dean Emeritus, Dr. Roger Strasser, have fostered across the North and internationally. As we face the region’s pressing health inequities, I am committed to working with our partners to expand and grow NOSM University’s capacity across the North. Together, we will continue our mission to improve the health of Northern Ontarians through socially accountable education, research, and targeted action to meet the region’s evolving health-care needs.”

NOSM University is a proven strategy to help address health inequity in Northern Ontario. For more information, please contact us at news@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 in 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, please contact: news@nosm.ca.

NOSM University