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In the Spotlight

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.

During this half day, online event, the students heard from award-winning faculty members, took part in interactive workshops demonstrating real-world medical and health science research skills, and got a clear picture of the work of health professionals. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) saw a significant increase in the number of participants who took part since the last in-person Discovery Days hosted 140 youth in 2019.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Naana Jumah, Assistant Professor at NOSM, obstetrician-gynecologist, Regional Cervical/Colposcopy Lead at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and alumna of Harvard University Medical School, addressed the students and shared insights about her medical career. Students also participated in the “Health Pros Tell All” career panel and Q&A.

“NOSM continues to reach prospective students, an important step in encouraging students to pursue a career in health sciences during this significant time in history,” says Miriam Cain, NOSM’s Director, Admissions and Learner Recruitment. “The School is drawing record-high numbers of student participants through increasingly more accessible virtual formats and continuously expanding our reach across Northern Ontario.”

“Improving health in Canada and around the world is vital to everyone’s lives—and encouraging our youth to choose a career in a field where they can do this has never been more relevant,” explains Lissa Foster, Executive Director of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. “More than 85% of students who participate in this program tell us this day helps solidify their plans to pursue a health sciences career.”

Supported nationally by MD Financial Management Inc. Discovery Day was co-hosted by the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and NOSM with Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Laurentian University in Sudbury.

 

 

 

Board, Media Releases

Discussions at NOSM Board Meeting focus on admissions, physician recruitment and NOSM expansion key areas of discussion

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Board of Directors held a virtual meeting on Thursday, May 20, 2021 connecting its members from across Northern Ontario.

Special guests Dr. Owen Prowse, Assistant Dean Admissions, and Miriam Cain, Director Admissions and Recruitment, presented an overview of NOSM’s admissions process and plans that are underway to establish pathways to education as well as ensure that admissions are reflective of Northern Ontario’s diversity.

Dr. Sarah Newbery, Assistant Dean Physician Workforce Strategy and Ray Hunt, Chief Operating Officer, identified gaps in health human resources in Northern Ontario and reviewed recruitment and retention statistics and strategies needed to achieve equitable and sustainable access to quality health care in rural remote communities.

The Directors confirmed the appointment of Dr. David W. Barnett, Provost and VP Academic, Lakehead University, as the Chair of the NOSM Board of Directors as of April 7, 2021. As part of its regular meeting of the Board of Directors, the standing committees reported updates. The Board approved the 2021-2022 balanced budget, the financial report – budget to actual March 31, 2021, and the audited Pension Financial Statements.

Dr. Sarita Verma, Dean, President and CEO reported on the progress made in 2020-2021 on the performance goals which are closely tied to the work underway to achieve the outcomes of The NOSM Challenge 2025 strategic plan. A full copy of the Dean’s report can be accessed on NOSM’s website. Key performance indicators for NOSM’s strategic plan can also be viewed at strategicplan.nosm.ca.

For a complete list of Board members, please visit our website at nosm.ca/board.

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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

“The Only Constant in Life Is Change.” – Heraclitus

A disruptive pandemic. The emergence of web-based meetings. The loss of physical contact. A shortage of ventilators. A new vocabulary—pivot, PPE, masking, lockdown, red zone, variants…

The pandemic has forced us to change, adjust and innovate to a point where transformation is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Despite the struggles amid the complexities that we have experienced this year, sustainable change is within reach. We have seen how new technologies are increasing the speed of discovery and collaboration. And although machines are enabling digital innovation, the main driver of it is people. Exceptionally talented and driven people who challenge the status quo and the ways in which we do our work in order to achieve greater impact. Leaders of today must recognize and embrace this new reality or run the risk of becoming irrelevant.

The transition to new technologies requires unique skills, and new ways of working and thinking. With that comes diversity in our workforce that will help spark exciting new opportunities to address longstanding issues in meeting our mandate.

In NOSM’s strategic plan, The NOSM Challenge 2025, the School commits to making strategic investments in our people, resources and infrastructure by living the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion; encouraging creativity; supporting the well-being of the NOSM community; rewarding leadership; and, eliminating bureaucracy.

As diversity breeds innovation, inclusion is a critical element in being able to recruit and retain a diverse workforce. Diversity and inclusion both help organizations get access to the in-demand skills they need, and to allow them to benefit.

Resistance to change, on the other hand, is one of the most significant deterrents to achieving innovation. I know that change is not easy for everyone, it makes people feel like they are losing control, but look at the changes we have pushed through this year despite adversity. Take a look at the Dean’s Report and our progress on the strategic plan.

As we experience some of the major transitions underway in medical education, seismic shifts with Laurentian’s restructuring and managing the prospect of a change for NOSM to NOSM U, successful change management is more important than ever. My commitment to you is that as we move through these changes as an organization, we will following these four principles:

  1. Understand Change;
  2. Collaboratively Plan Change;
  3. Communicate Change; and,
  4. Measure Change.

We will apply these principles in our everyday work at NOSM, from managing new pathways to education to curricular reform and planning for the expansion of our MD program.

“When you are finished changing, you are finished.” Benjamin Franklin

We, at NOSM, like rapidly progressing health care and technology, will keep changing. We are far from being finished. We have only just begun. We are adjusting and growing and being part of an evolutionary metamorphosis that will prepare us for the future. And one that is deeply committed to you, to learners, staff, faculty, community and most importantly to the health of Northern Ontarians.

Join us and embrace the amazing resilience and our ability to change that has come about from the pandemic. Become part of the future at NOSM.

Congratulations to NOSM’s graduating class

On Tuesday, June 1 and Monday, June 7, the NOSM’s fourth-year medical students become doctors! The virtual celebrations include recitation of the Physician Oath and a new White Coat Ceremony. This is such an exciting time for all, particularly the graduands’ and their families and friends. Best wishes for your continued success as residents. Keep an eye on NOSM’s social media in coming weeks. We will be sharing a few grad profiles.

NOSM’s award winning Communications team

NOSM’s Communications team and Launchfire, a leader in game-based marketing programs, win a 2021 Communicator Award in the category of Individual-Contests & Promotions for their online advertising and marketing work in creating The NOSM Trivia Challenge. The trivia game asked questions on health equity in Northern Ontario and Indigenous and Francophone health, all in support of creating access to equitable health care in the region. Read more.

Reminder: NOSM’s Job Fair next week

Register now for NOSM’s first job fair for medical learners and their partners/spouses. Together, take this opportunity to visit with communities across the North. Connect with Hayley Harlock founder of The Flipside Life, preparing spouses and partners of medical learners transitioning to practice. Join us online from May 26 to May 27, 2021 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Register.

NOSM University