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Alumni Stories, Francophone Features, Gallery, In the Spotlight

Cultural diversity and Operation Remote Immunity were highlights of Francophone graduates’ NOSM experience

Dr. Dominique Lachapelle, a Francophone graduate of NOSM’s MD Class of 2021, says lessons in resilience and collaboration will serve her well in future. “Medical school was challenging. It gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, learn from community placements, mentors and explore the rich cultural diversity of Northern Ontario,” she says.

This winter Dominique volunteered with Operation Remote Immunity, which she describes as a highlight of her medical school experience. She assisted with the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in North Spirit Lake, Kashechewan, and Attawapiskat and was able to get credit for an elective for offering pandemic care. “It was really interesting to experience and to be part of such a strong collaborative effort made possible by community leaders in partnership with Ornge. It really was a great honour to be welcomed in these communities and contribute to the remote immunization operation.”

She also speaks fondly of the time she spent in Temagami First Nation located on Bear Island during her first-year of medical school, and of her third-year clinical placement in Temiskaming Shores. “I was inspired by the elderly patients who appreciated the care I helped provide in French. I look forward to future opportunities to deliver culturally safe care in Northern Ontario,” says Dominique. She adds that NOSM provided her with an understanding and learning experiences about the health-care barriers that Francophone patients and families face. Some valuable lessons included learning about French medical terminology and clinical skills. “As a Francophone student, I was very fortunate at NOSM to have strong mentors and Francophone preceptors.”

In July, Dominique will begin her residency in the Family Medicine Rural Stream in her hometown of Temiskaming Shores. She hopes to settle in the community and plans to practice family medicine with a broad spectrum, as well as a focus on health-care for the elderly. In her future practice, Dominique brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will allow her to provide culturally safe, accessible and inclusive care.

Alumni Stories, Gallery, In the Spotlight

Accomplishment in the height of the pandemic

Dr. Jai Mashru is quietly celebrating a huge milestone. A graduate of NOSM’s MD Class of 2021, Jai feels a great sense of accomplishment to graduate during one of the most challenging years of his medical education, a year which he also says was the most rewarding.

“I plan to give back to the community and give back to future learners in Northern Ontario. This is something that I want to do,” says Jai, who is the valedictorian of his class in Sudbury and the former president of the NOSM student council. Raised in Dryden, and having lived in Sudbury and Parry Sound, Jai says being matched to an internal medicine residency in Toronto and moving to an urban environment is another opportunity to grow before he realises his final goal which is to return to the North where he hopes to establish his own practice.

“Being at NOSM has instilled in me and my classmates the idea of being socially accountable in the work we do. That may be one of the biggest things I take away from my time at NOSM. So many have helped me along the way, and giving back is important to me. Continuing with mentorship and other initiatives is definitely something that I want to continue moving forward.”

Completing his final year of medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic meant being physically distanced from friends and family. Jai and his classmates found themselves challenged with changes to the normal MD program. Instead of experiencing a full rotation of electives offered across Canada, they were faced with uncertainties, more online instruction and rapid changes. Learning to adapt quickly is perhaps the greatest skill set this class will bring to their future residencies and practices.

“I feel a sense of accomplishment to have persevered. Moving to a new city, applying new skills, and making new connections—it’s something that I accomplished really well,” he says. “Forging new relationships and building everlasting connections with my classmates is something that will last.”

Jai says the community rotations he was able to experience had a lasting impact. Working with patients and preceptors in communities in the North helped him overcome feelings of imposter syndrome, helping him develop his resilience.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to reflect back on all of the work I’ve put in over the last four years, and it’s so much more than clinical knowledge and medical knowledge, there’s all the advocacy and different initiatives that have kept us all very busy,” says Jai. “This year really gave me the sense that I’m making a difference and that I belong. It’s gratifying.”

Northern Routes

Congratulations Class of 2021! Welcome to your new Profession!

In the next few weeks, we celebrate the Class of 2021. We enthusiastically congratulate 66 newly minted physicians, 73 resident doctors completing their programs, and 12 registered dietitians.

Each of these soon to be graduates has demonstrated integrity and perseverance throughout this pandemic, and are moving on as captivating, courageous, compassionate changemakers.

They have adjusted to the realities of working and learning during COVID-19, an ongoing lockdown, and managing constant uncertainty all in pursuit of a health-care profession that has become one of the riskiest and most dangerous in the world. These amazing graduates leave the safe confines of higher learning to go into practise in rural, remote, Indigenous and Francophone communities across Northern Ontario and Canada.

With this class, the 13th class of MDs, NOSM has now graduated 780 doctors.

This year, we will celebrate online—in style! We have sophisticated speeches and guest appearances from across Canada to say a few words of welcome. We have planned several events including a special retro-convocation for the MD Class of 2020.

“This will be over soon.” That’s what we told ourselves last year. In fact, the pandemic got worse, but we adjusted. Graduates, you had to face a world that is still uncertain, without big weddings, attending funerals, without in-room dining and without that much deserved vacation on the beach. When you cannot have all the pomp because of the circumstances what do you do?

We can celebrate the incredible ways you have made the world a better place over the past year. To all graduates, I want to say: I am in awe of you!

You have so much power and such a bright future. You have first-hand experienced adversity and you know what health inequity looks like—some of you have experienced it. But more, you have actively worked to make a difference and become changemakers. You have inspired the NOSM community with your anti-racism work. You’ve volunteered with Operation Remote Immunity, vaccination clinics, and to support front-line workers when they needed a helping hand. You’ve been mentors to your classmates and colleagues. You’re innovative problem solvers.

I want to share some practical advice:

  1. Stay authentic. Trust yourself. You’ve made good decisions to get to this point in your career. Know that you will continue to be successful if you stay on your path.
  2. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with compassion and integrity. Be inclusive in your language.
  3. Build a strong support system. Continue to strengthen relationships with your biggest supporters at home and at work. Be kind to everyone.
  4. Prioritize wellness. No one is always 100%. There will be ups and downs. Lean on others when you need support and provide the same. Wellness should always be a priority.
  5. Keep in touch. We want to hear from you, please connect with alumni@nosm.ca.

You have the best future ahead! Go on… show off. The world is waiting for you.

“Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.”
—Barack Obama

NOSM Celebrates 2021 MD Grads

SUDBURY
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

THUNDER BAY
Monday, June 7, 2021
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

RSVP to NOSM Celebrates 2021

NOSM Celebrates 2020 MD Grads

Sunday, June 6, 2021
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

RSVP to NOSM Celebrates 2020

Laurentian University Convocation

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.

Information is available at laurentian.ca.
Virtual ceremonies can be viewed on Laurentian’s YouTube channel.

Lakehead University Convocation

Monday, June 7, 2021 at 1 p.m.

Connection details are available on Lakehead’s convocation website.
Information about the ceremonies, distinguished guests/honorees, and a social media celebration kit can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/convocation.

Discovery Day at NOSM inspires curious and enthusiastic Northern youth

Nearly 250 curious and enthusiastic youth from across Northern Ontario met virtually on May 18 to explore exciting career options in medicine and research. This year, a select group of students from 31 high schools across the region were chosen to join hundreds of others who are interested in medicine and science. Read more.

July 2 is a vacation day just for you!
A message to staff and full-time faculty at NOSM

As we approach Canada Day, I am strongly encouraging you to take well-deserved vacation time. In recognition of the additional time you have devoted to NOSM, July 2 will not be deducted from your vacation balance if you are able to take the Friday off. For those who already have booked this time off, your vacation balance will be restored. For those who are scheduled to work on July 2 and are not able to change their schedule, please speak with your supervisor to find an alternative day off. NOSM is very grateful for all the time and energy you have devoted to managing the pandemic, Laurentian insolvency, among other important initiatives.

NOSM University