In a year that marks its 20^th anniversary, NOSM University proudly celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of its community during the third annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration, held Friday, May 9, 2025.

This milestone year highlights NOSM University’s two decades of pioneering socially accountable medical education and advancing equitable health care access across Northern Ontario. The Achievement Celebration—held in conjunction with the Northern Constellations and Connections conferences—honoured the exceptional dedication and service of faculty, preceptors, learners, alumni, and staff in health care, research and medical education. A special tribute was paid to 21 staff and full-time faculty members celebrating 20 years of service, each of whom have played a formative role in shaping NOSM University.

The evening also marked a celebration of academic excellence with the announcement of faculty promotions to the ranks of associate professor, full professor, and professor emerita. Six recipients were presented with the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership, recognizing their meaningful impact on health systems and education across the region.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the award recipients,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO. “I am deeply honoured to celebrate the remarkable individuals across the NOSM University community whose efforts continue to strengthen health care, medical education and research in Northern Ontario. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence reflect the very heart of NOSM University’s core values.”

For the full list of award recipients, faculty who were promoted, and those celebrating 20 years of service, please visit celebrate.nosm.ca/2025-awards/.

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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 people 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.

In the Spotlight, Spotlight on Research, Uncategorized

Spotlight on research: NOSM University researchers work on cancer care equity

Monday May 12th, 2025 Marieta-Rita Osezua

For many people living in the North, access to cancer care can be difficult to access, due to geographical hurdles. Access to clinical trials is even more limited. Drs. Stacey Santi and Lacey Pitre, medical oncology researchers at the Health Science North Research Institute (HSNRI), are working to change that.

Using the Canadian Remote Access Framework for Clinical Trials (CRAFT) model, patients who live far away from Health Sciences North (HSN) can access potentially lifesaving clinical trial treatments through a hospital or clinic in their local community. The site chosen for the first trial was in Timmins.

Having received a grant from Pfizer, the Quebec Lung Cancer Association, and Lung Cancer Canada, Drs. Santi and Pitre are working on a second study to look at the quality of life and satisfaction of care of people receiving care on a clinical trial for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer open in sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and now Timmins.

“It’s a gateway to ensure all patients, including those who live in the North, can be included in clinical trials,” said Dr. Lacey Pitre, a NOSM University alumna (MD, 2010).

Drs. Pitre and Santi are both Assistant Professors at NOSM University. They’ve been working together since 2022 on cancer research and collaborate with other researchers. They are also working to understand the financial burden of care for cancer patients in Northeastern Ontario, as well as the epidemiology of early onset colorectal cancer. They would like to see continued research collaborations and research across Northern Ontario.

“My wish for research—and specifically cancer research in Northern Ontario—is continued collaborations and successful research projects and research outcomes,” said Dr. Santi. Dr. Santi, who is also the Health Sciences North Foundation Research Chair in Cancer Solutions at HSNRI.

“A lot of this research is only possible because of the participants that consent to be in our studies and also the people that help fund our research studies,” she added.

Homepage News, News, Uncategorized

Leaving a lasting legacy

Thursday May 1st, 2025 Marieta-Rita Osezua

May is Legacy Giving Month, a time to reflect on the impact we can have beyond our lifetime. Imagine shaping the future of health care in Northern Ontario by supporting the education of tomorrow’s doctors. Legacy giving is a powerful way to ensure that your generosity continues for generations, helping to transform lives and communities through medical education.

There are many ways to leave a legacy, including gifts of life insurance and through your will.

A gift of life insurance: Create a lasting impact

Sandra Knight is a retired teacher currently living in Ottawa but grew up in Fort William, now Thunder Bay, Ontario. She has decided to leave her life insurance to NOSM University. She chose NOSM University because she believes in the power of education, especially medical education in the North.

“Lack of adequate medical care across our country is an ongoing problem. Education is key to a solution and the innovation at NOSM is a step in the right direction,” she said. For Sandra, her donation is a way to sustain future medical students, remove barriers to education and leave a legacy by paying it forward.

A gift in your will: A legacy of support

Dr. Smith (name has been changed), a long-time Northern Ontario physician, has chosen to leave a gift in his will to NOSM University. His decision was inspired by decades of first-hand experience seeing the challenges faced by rural and remote communities in accessing health care.

By including NOSM University in his will, Dr. Smith ensures that future medical students will have the financial support they need to pursue their studies and serve the communities most in need.

How You Can Make a Difference

You have the power to make a lasting impact on medical education in the North. By leaving a legacy gift—whether through life insurance, a gift in your will, or other options—you help create opportunities for future healthcare leaders and improve access to care in Northern Ontario.

To learn more about legacy giving at NOSM University, visit our website at Legacy Gifts or contact Cherie Kok, Director of Advancement, at advancement@nosm.ca. Join us in shaping the future of health care in the North.