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Wasaya Airways supports NOSM students’ menstrual product drive for Fort Severn First Nation

Gallery Thursday July 29th, 2021 Alexandra Poling

People in rural and remote Northern Ontario communities can expect to pay double the price for the same menstrual products found in larger cities in Ontario—it’s even higher for remote fly-in First Nations communities where a box of tampons can range from $16 to $45, forcing people to choose between menstrual products and groceries.

Ashley Perreault and Lucie Ménard, medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), organized a sustainable menstrual product drive for the fly-in community of Fort Severn First Nation—the most northern community in Ontario. In March 2021, they set a goal to raise $4,000 to cover the costs of the menstrual products. They quickly surpassed that goal with a successful GoFundMe campaign that raised a total of $6,180.

“The media interest in our work helped raise awareness with generous donations from community members across Northern Ontario, as well as NOSM’s Equity and Inclusion and Global Health student committees,” says Lucie.

Wasaya Airways has generously committed to covering all the shipping costs and will be delivering the products to the fly-in community. There will be menstrual kits available for every single menstruator in the community.

“Wasaya Airway’s donation is exactly the kind of community partnership required to make this student leadership effort a success,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, Dean, President and CEO of NOSM. “I’m continually impressed with the advocacy efforts of our medical students. These individuals are demonstrating the positive impact they will have on Northern communities as future physicians.”

“NOSM has an important relationship with Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, who provide students with invaluable learning opportunities throughout their time in medical school,” Ashley says. “As students who are dedicated to addressing the priority health concerns of the people and communities of Northern Ontario, we were focused on relieving the financial burden on those who menstruate in Fort Severn.”

Support for the community was identified by Sam Senecal, NOSM’s Indigenous Affairs Community Coordinator, who is responsible for arranging all aspects of learner placements in Indigenous communities. The students consulted with Fort Severn’s Health Director to determine which reusable products would be the most appropriate for the community and reusable cloth pads were chosen.

The funds raised were used to create 125 menstrual kits which included: five reusable pads that were purchased at a discount from Lady Crimson Cloth Emporium in Sudbury; a waterproof wet bag discounted from Colibri Canada; a container of Oxi-All; a stain stick donated from The Old Soul Soap Company; and, instructions on how to wash the pads. Bleed the North donated 566 tampons and 196 single-use pads.

The position of Local Officer of Reproductive and Sexual Health at NOSM is an elected position with a one-year term. Both Ashley and Lucie hope future students will continue this initiative and ongoing advocacy and education about health inequities experienced by Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario.

Background

The NOSM medical students’ menstrual product drive started in 2017 for the communities of Attawapiskat and Fort Albany First Nations. The first drive received generous support from grocery stores in Sudbury and donations from the NOSM community. The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a renewed online fundraising effort to provide a sustainable solution for Fort Severn, with a focus on reusable products.

Evidence suggests that non-reusable menstrual products contribute to climate change with over 200 billion menstrual products being dumped into landfills every year. Chemicals in pads have been found to cause groundwater pollution, loss of soil fertility, and are hazardous to human and environmental health.

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About Wasaya Airways
Operating since 1989, Wasaya Airways, in partnership with Exchange Income Corporation, is comprised of ownership by 12 First Nations: Bearskin Lake; Fort Severn; Kasabonika Lake; Keewaywin; Kingfisher Lake; Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug; Muskrat Dam; Nibinamik; Pikangikum; Sandy Lake; Wapekeka; and Wunnumin Lake.

About the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is an award-winning socially accountable medical school renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy for health equity, NOSM relies on the commitment and expertise of the peoples and communities of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote and underserved communities. NOSM’s graduates, faculty, learners and staff are changemakers who lead health-system transformation in Northern Ontario. The School is a recipient of the Charles Boelen International Social Accountability Award from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada and the prestigious ASPIRE award, which recognize international excellence in social accountability and medical education.

For further information, please contact: news@nosm.ca

Northern Routes

Where there is smoke, is there a fire?

Tuesday July 27th, 2021 Tara Hawkes

It was late Sunday late afternoon in Sudbury, I was reading a book on my balcony and warm hazy air began wafting over my vista. In the distance I saw grey clouds. The smell of fire began embracing the breeze. Quickly the air became thick and unbreathable, and I felt the onset of a migraine and chest wheeziness. The jet stream had picked up and the effect of forest fires were being felt across Northern Ontario. I had heard about this in the Northwest, in BC, and Alberta but it doesn’t feel real until it hits close to home. Climate change is no small matter. The reports of flash flooding in Europe, devastating scenes of forests being decimated in the world, and the bizarre tornadoes, sandstorms and global warming are signals that the impact of climate change on health is immeasurable.

On Monday, I listened to the speech by Mary Simon as she became Canada’s 30^th—and first Indigenous—Governor General. Her appointment is a historic and inspirational moment for Canada, and an important step forward on the long path toward reconciliation. Her speech spoke to the issues of truth and reconciliation and to the care of our planet when she said: “I believe we can build the hopeful future in a way that is respectful of what has happened in the past. It means supporting the well-being of people by focusing on our youth, and in improved educational outcomes for all of our children. It means prioritising the protection of our natural world, so that we can have a healthy climate and planet for generations to come.”

As we continue the journey to becoming a stand-alone, degree-granting university, we have engaged in a process of transitional planning and ensuring continuity with the maintenance of ongoing relationships. We expect the NOSM University Act—which received Royal Assent on June 3, 2021—to be proclaimed in force by early fall. The issues of planetary health and the legacy of colonialism will be forefront, with our attention to equity, racism and social accountability as NOSM University. I too, believe we can build a positive future for Northern Ontario through this process.

The NOSM University Transition Team is charged with the oversight of the evolution from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to NOSM University, and across the school many people are involved. Importantly, the relationship agreement with Laurentian University and Lakehead University remains in place while we discuss ‘bridging’ some of the tasks that may migrate to NOSM University once the Act is proclaimed in force. Until then, our current relationship with Laurentian and Lakehead remains unchanged. I have been reassured by the ongoing meetings reflecting the collaboration between NOSM and the universities.

Our main priority is the well-being and support for our students. With that in mind, we have a newly established Registrar’s Office, under which all enrolment services (admissions), learner support services (learner affairs, accommodations and accessibility), records and convocation services will be housed. I am pleased to announce three key interim leadership roles: Miriam Cain will be the first Registrar, Sherry Mongeau is the new Director of Learner Support Services, and Katie Biasiol takes on the role of Director of Admissions. There will be formal searches for these positions once we have the structures in place. As this new unit is being established, I have asked the team to start consultations with affected stakeholders and to organise a whole-school process to ensure the needs of the future University will be met.

In late fall, I will be leading an extensive consultation and engagement process. I’m looking forward to speaking with many of you about the vision for NOSM University. Pandemic rules willing, I plan to be on the road making in-person visits and gathering input and your views on what NOSM University will look like. I plan to have meetings with key partners including municipalities, hospitals, universities, a Social Accountability Advisory Group, Academic Council, the Indigenous Reference Group, Francophone Reference Group, NOSM faculty, students, staff and alumni. We will also reach out to our supporters, including donors, Local Education Groups and the Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association. Members of the public will also be invited to join townhalls, so stay tuned.

We will collect ideas through an online survey. It’s important to me that we hear from as many NOSM community members as possible. Updates on the consultation process and our progress in transitioning to a stand-alone university will be shared through media, on the NOSM website, and via social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).

Meanwhile, we will prepare for the post-proclamation phase of our transition, which will focus primarily on our new Board of Governors and Senate. This is our opportunity to talk about the skills needed to govern a new Northern University and to do so in a world focussed on equity, diversity, decolonialization and reconciliation.

Finally, empowering and building leadership for all the important changes is critical. So, to quote Mary Simon again… “Please know that we need more of your voices and perspectives in leadership positions across this country. I hope you use my appointment to believe, with increased conviction, that anything is possible….I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves to embark on our work together, and may wisdom and compassion guide our efforts.”

Thank you to all who are occupied with fulfilling our social accountability mandate. I am happy to roll up my sleeves and work alongside you.

Miigwetch, thank you, marsi, merci,

Dr. Sarita Verma
Dean, President and CEO
Northern Ontario School of Medicine

If you have any feedback or comments, please reach out at dean@nosm.ca and follow me on twitter @ddsv3.

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Enjoy the summer

It was great to hear from you after I shared my favourite things to do, see, eat and hear this summer! I appreciate these notes immensely. Dr. Pabani recommended reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I also received a photo from Carole of her son and adorable granddaughter enjoying the beautiful weather.

CampMed a resounding success

CampMed—NOSM’s annual summer camp—inspires youth to consider a future as a health-care professional. CampMed provides youth in Northern Ontario and other rural and remote areas of Canada with an opportunity to explore Indigenous and Francophone culture, health and traditions, health-care careers, obtain hands-on experience, and find a mentor. Hosted this year from July 12 – 23, CampMed was a resounding success with record-high participation.

33 Workshops (21 live, 3 pre-recorded, and 9 career pathway videos)
235 youth participants
60 volunteers (18 NOSM Medical student volunteers, 27 university volunteers, and 15 guest speakers)
64 communities (including Atikokan, Balmertown, Chapleau, Fort William First Nation, Iroquois Falls, Kenora, Manitouwadge, Mindemoya, and White River.)

Nothing Ordinary: The Story of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Written by author Larry Krotz, Nothing Ordinary tells the story of how 800,000 citizens created their own school of medicine. Over the course of nearly twenty years, NOSM has created a legacy of a school that is far from ordinary. Scheduled for publication in October 2021, Nothing Ordinary is now available for pre-order.

NOSM students receive Indigenous Learner Leadership Award

Mélanie-Rose Frappier and Alison Lewis, both fourth-year medical students at NOSM, are the inaugural recipients of newly established CIBC Indigenous Learner Leadership Awards. The awards recognize self-identified Indigenous learners who demonstrate exceptional leadership and mentorship within the School and community. Learn more.

Helping close the gap on psychiatry shortages

Dr. Zoe Michano-Furlotte, NOSM alumna, completed her fourth year of residency in psychiatry in Thunder Bay and is entering her fifth and final year. Zoe is a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and is from the town of Caramat. She says there is a need for the province to ramp up increased funding and psychiatric care. Read more.

Update from the Medical Council of Canada re: LMCC

Recent changes have been announced by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) as they evolve the academic qualifications for full licensure in Canada. New LMCC eligibility criteria recognises the impact of the pandemic and the challenges associated with delivering the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II. For more information about the criteria, fees, and the key dates of the new service, please visit the Medical Council of Canada website.

Addressing the Gaps, Alumni Stories, In the Spotlight, Indigenous Stories

Helping close the gap on psychiatry shortages

Gallery Wednesday July 21st, 2021 Alexandra Poling

Dr. Zoe Michano-Furlotte, NOSM alumna (MD 2016, BScN Lakehead University), completed her fourth year of residency in psychiatry in Thunder Bay and is entering her fifth and final year. Zoe is a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and is from the town of Caramat, which is now part of the community of Greenstone.

“I’m hoping to work at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and provide outreach care with regional Indigenous communities to work together to improve access and mental health services,” says Zoe.

“I have a bigger dream to expand my practice to specialize in Indigenous mental health and women’s perinatal and postnatal mental health, with a focus on intergenerational trauma,” she explains.

Zoe recently completed an elective through the Women’s College at Mount Sinai with the prenatal program. She says being able to complete her residency at NOSM is the main reason she was able to advance her career.

“I’m very family-oriented and it is very important to me that I could complete my residency at home here in Northern Ontario at NOSM,” she says. “It is important to me that I can be here for my nephews and niece. I am close to my parents, my sister and my grandmothers. My supportive fiancé and family are huge factors for me to be successful in my residency program.”

She says NOSM residency is unique because it is flexible and her preceptors made her feel part of a family. Zoe is close to the program director and site director, describing them as very supportive. “I don’t think this is the experience in larger psychiatry programs in Toronto and elsewhere in Ontario.”

As an MD alumna, what stands out most to Zoe about the NOSM MD program were the experiences in Indigenous communities. “That’s something we’re working on in the psychiatry residency program—developing an Indigenous stream for psychiatry collaboration with the University of Toronto and McMaster University,” says Zoe.

The challenge now is the lack of psychiatrists across all of Northern Ontario and the critically long wait lists for care.

“Sadly, we don’t have enough psychiatrists in Thunder Bay. That begs the question, how can we offer outreach psychiatry care to rural and remote communities when we cannot provide enough mental health services in our tertiary centres? Also, to access residency electives in rural communities we must have enough staff psychiatrists to support teaching,” Zoe says. “I have optimism that this will change in the future as many new psychiatrists have stayed to practise at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.”

Her dream is to be part of filling the gap in care, addressing change and advocating for more psychiatrists in Northern Ontario who plan to stay in the North to deliver care. “My ultimate goal is to be able to go to communities and bring care to them.”

She highlights significant improvements that have been made by health partners, including St. Joseph’s Care Group in Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who have actively recruited more psychiatrists in recent years. However, Zoe says with the increasing demand coupled with the pandemic, there is a need for the province to ramp up increased funding and psychiatric care. There is also room to grow out-patient services for specific programs including renal, cancer and maternal care, and specifically for outreach to patients in rural, remote communities.

“What’s exciting is that I know a lot of the junior psychiatry residents are planning to stay here, so that’s wonderful. It’s a sign that there is more to come and opportunities through effective therapeutic alliances. However, critical issues need to be addressed as soon as possible. For example, the disproportionate rates of suicidal ideation and suicide in Indigenous populations, which are five to seven times higher than the general population.”

Zoe says the key is to offer proper access to care by improving relationships that acknowledge the violence of colonization and residential school intergenerational trauma, which have led to high rates of mental illness.

“Identifying the impact colonization and residential school had on my family, drives me to want to learn more, support one another and makes me really want to help. This work is very meaningful in my life. I definitely have a willingness to do more research, make those connections and meet with people to ask them what the community needs, then try to advocate with them,” says Zoe.

“Medicine has been a decade of my life’s work but it doesn’t feel like it. Learning and growing is part of my goal. My elective with Dr. Diane Whitney [outgoing Psychiatry Program Director at NOSM] was a turning point for me, and it’s important to do what you’re passionate about. I’m just so lucky that I found psychiatry.”