NOSM University announces Dr. Mélanie Patrie as the incoming Francophone Education Lead for residency programs, effective June 20, 2022.

Dr. Patrie is a passionate Francophone who completed her MD and residency at NOSM. As a medical student, she was a member of the Francophone Reference Group as a student representative and is currently an Assistant Professor and physician facilitator for the French Language Clinical Skills sessions offered by Francophone Affairs Unit for MD students.

She is a family physician with a busy clinical practice at the City of Lakes Family Health Team at the Chelmsford site.

Dr. Patrie is very familiar with NOSM University’s social accountability mandate, and she is motivated to work towards advancing the Francophone presence at NOSM University and within its residency programs. With a family practice that is mostly Francophone, she recognizes both the importance of offering French language medical services and the challenges that arise when this need is not met.

On behalf of the NOSM University community, we extend thanks to Dr. Frédéric Sarrazin, outgoing Francophone Education Lead. Dr. Sarrazin’s commitment to the residents, dedication to the program, and contributions to the profession are sincerely appreciated.

In the Spotlight

Dr. Rony Atoui named NOSM University’s new Program Director of Surgical Foundations

Thursday June 16th, 2022 Tara Hawkes

NOSM University announces Dr. Rony Atoui as the incoming Program Director of the Surgical Foundations residency program, effective July 1, 2022.

Dr. Rony Atoui is a cardiac surgeon practising at Health Sciences North (HSN) since 2011 and an Associate Professor at NOSM University. He is a member of many international societies, including American College of Surgeons (ACS), Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Heart Association (AHA), European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS).

In addition to a busy clinical practice, Dr. Atoui is heavily involved in teaching and academic work, having secured several research grants. Furthermore, he is an active member of several committees at NOSM University and HSN, including member of the Senate (formerly Academic Council), Postgraduate Medical Educational Advisory Board, Committee to Support Student Professionalism, Vice-Chair of the Joint and Stipendiary Faculty Promotion Committee, Research co-lead of the HSN Cardiology Local Education Group, executive member and treasurer of the Physician Clinical Teachers’ Association (PCTA) and Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association (NOAMA) boards, member of the HSN Research Ethics Board and of the Medical Quality Assurance Committee (MedQA).

On behalf of the NOSM University community, we extend thanks to Dr. Claude Cullinen, outgoing Program Director, who will remain in a supportive role during this transition until September 30, 2022. Dr. Cullinen’s commitment to NOSM University residents, dedication to the program, and contributions to the profession are sincerely appreciated.

Francophone Features, In the Spotlight

NOSM University recognized for commitment to Northern Ontario’s Francophone community

Wednesday June 1st, 2022 Alexandra Poling

NOSM University is the recent recipient of the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario Award of Recognition honouring community partners for their contributions and efforts to improve access to, and equity of, French-language services.

“This is an honour for which we are very grateful, and it’s one that tells me that NOSM University is on the right track” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of NOSM University who accepted the award on behalf of the University. “NOSM University has prioritized social accountability and health justice in everything we do. Simply, this means that the university must be thoughtful and responsive to communities and their health needs—particularly for the roughly 130,000 Francophones and French-speaking people in Northern Ontario.”

The University continues to expand its efforts to support Francophone medical students who will practise in French, as well as support Francophile and Anglophone medical students in recognising and providing linguistic and culturally sensitive care.

On behalf of the University, Dr. Verma thanked the many Francophone contributors, supporters, partners and communities. “To meet the needs of the Francophone community, we rely on solid partnerships with organisations like the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario. Merci, thank you for this recognition.”