Microscope, Telescope, Stethoscope, Periscope and Kaleidoscope

“The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.”  
~Amanda Gorman

Watching Amanda Gorman’s delivery of The Hill We Climb during the historical American inauguration last week was awe inspiring. Hearing her say “the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice” had me thinking again about social justice. In my last blog I stressed the four essential principles of social justice: human rights, access, participation, and equity.

The School recently asked for volunteers for a vaccination rollout in remote First Nations communities. Within days, more than 300 NOSM faculty, residents, and medical students volunteered. I am overwhelmed by your sense of social justice, citizenship and responsibility. This is what health care is all about. I know we’re brave enough to be it.

NOSM is supporting Ornge, Ontario’s provider of air ambulance and critical care transport services, in this roll out with the leadership of Chiefs, community partners, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. Being part of a collaboration like this is a demonstration of our commitment to the School’s mandate of social accountability.

We know one’s location often determines one’s access to timely health care. Reciprocity and responsibility are the focus. Northern Ontario’s remote First Nations communities are steadfast supporters of NOSM. It is our opportunity—our responsibility—to reciprocate the care and support we receive.

The enthusiasm demonstrated by our volunteers speaks loudly to my belief that NOSM is made up of the ‘right stuff.’ It’s our people, their commitment, courage and self-sacrifice. Thank you all. And for those who are unable to participate for various reasons, don’t worry, there is plenty of work and time for most of you to be involved in other kinds of collaborative leadership opportunities to come.

For me personally, this project is drawing upon and reinforcing my own skills and ability to use what I refer to as my own various ‘scopes’ in my personal leadership toolkit. They are the different lenses through which leaders need to view their actions. As educators, and clinicians or researchers, we have several lenses through which we view our work. The challenge is we must choose the right lens for the right situation.

The Microscope

There are times when we must pay attention to the details and use a microscope before it gets out of control. Going deep means understanding, at a cellular level, that our students, our curricula, our school organization, our pedagogy can often be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary teaching and leadership.

The Telescope

There are times when we need to view our work through a telescope and keep our eyes fixed on our greater goals, even though they seem far away. There are situations where we need to hold onto our vision and our big, purposeful question to answer “why?” in order to move past the temporary setbacks and frustrations. The telescope allows us to maintain a healthy perspective and an unwavering faith that we will reach our goals.

The Periscope

As Dean with the overview of the entire school, I know that we will face obstacles from time to time, but I use the periscope to look over and around obstacles. A periscope helps me look beyond what is in the way and navigate past what may be blocking us. For example, major changes like expansion, curricular reform, new pathways and even the vaccine project may be perceived by some as threats. It is my job to illustrate the opportunities, dispel the myths, inform and inspire by working through these obstacles.

The Stethoscope

Regardless of the issue, with kindness and compassion top of mind, there are times when we need to feel our work through a stethoscope. We need to listen to our hearts and the hearts of those we serve. We need to check in with our own hearts to make sure that we are doing the right work the right way. We need to check in on the hearts of others to make sure that we are serving them in a way that honours them. I am guided by the culture of respect, kindness and compassion, and lead with my heart.

NOSM’s Strategic Plan and all the projects we are undertaking in addressing climate change and social justice this year will be guided by these four scopes. And there is one more…

The Kaleidoscope

This is an optical instrument with internal beads of glass. When held loosely at the end of the rotating tube, the glass creates stunning and continually changing symmetrical forms that are reflected in two or more mirrors. With a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors and a continually shifting pattern, our kaleidoscope reflects equity, diversity and inclusivity.

Kaleidoscope thinking is not easy to achieve, but we are making tremendous progress at NOSM. In fact, our entire strategic plan is based on the notion of multiple perspectives and stakeholders. Balancing all of the interests at NOSM, from students to partners, faculty and staff, researchers and communities, involves guiding the School by way of “Leadership as a Collective.” Let’s unleash and harness the collective genius of NOSM by using the right scope and by employing Kaleidoscope thinking.

I am proud to report that I have received a couple of creative and ‘dangerous’ ideas. This is the type of out-of-the-box, innovative thinking that I encourage and invite. Keep sending them in. I want to hear from you. Follow me on twitter @ddsv3.

Thank you to the 200+ participants who joined the NOSM whole school webinar this morning. There’s fantastic engagement, support and planning taking place at the School. A special thank you to learners, faculty, and staff who continue to do amazing work during COVID-19.

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Resident Doctors Wanted

NOSM’s new, eye-catching Wanted marketing campaign to attract resident doctors to Northern Ontario has launched. Help spread the word with MD graduates across Canada. At NOSM you are wanted. “Be seen and have a voice in your learning. Enjoy a breadth of clinical experiences at a faster pace.” Visit wanted.nosm.ca for more info.

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Acknowledging Great Leaders

NOSM acknowledges the recent loss of two great leaders. Dr. Diarmuid (Dermot) McLoughlin was a doctor for more than 50 years, with much of that time spent in Sioux Lookout. He was a founding Board Member at NOSM and Associate Professor Honorarius. Dr. Thomas Dignan was one of Canada’s first indigenous physicians, a founding member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, and had dedicated his life to the mentorship of Indigenous youth and physicians.