From September 24 to 26, 2015, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its fifth Francophone Symposium at Laurentian University in Sudbury. More than 90 health professionals and community partners from across Northern Ontario gathered to explore dimensions of health care related to Francophone populations.

With a particular focus on mental health and the “active offer” (ensuring that services in French are obvious, easily available, and accessible), the conference provided dynamic presentations, discussions, and a student-led wellness workshop. These activities focused on community networking, capacity building, health practices and services, and collaborative approaches designed to enhance effective health-care delivery for Francophones in Northern Ontario.

The breadth of topics reflected the diversity of challenges in the provision of effective health care for Francophone people and communities. Distinguished speakers included:

• François Boileau, the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, who spoke about the Commission’s 2014-2015 Annual Report and the importance of creating an environment where it is conducive for Francophones to obtain services in their language of choice.
• Diane Quintas, Executive Director of the Réseau du mieux-être francophone du Nord de l’Ontario, who presented detailed information relating to a new Joint Position Statement on the Active Offer of French Language Health Services in Ontario on behalf of the Alliance of Francophone Health Networks in Ontario as well as the Group of French-language Health Planning Entities.
• Philippe Leblanc, Franco Doc Project Coordinator, Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), who discussed the Franco Doc project which aims to support Francophone students studying in English-language faculties of medicine by developing French-language medical resources and additional placement opportunities in Francophone communities by linking Anglophone medical faculties with francophone health networks and francophone communities.
• Denis Vaillancourt, Chair of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, who highlighted the work which resulted in the White Paper on French Language Health Care in Ontario.
• Dr. Marie-France Tourigny-Rivard, Chair, Seniors Advisory Committee of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, who discussed the progress made to implement the recommendations of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in relating to accessing francophone mental health services for the elderly in Northern Ontario.
• Dr. Bernard Leduc, Executive Director, Montfort Hospital, who discussed the ways in which NOSM and Montfort can collaborate to provide French-language health professional education for Northern Ontarians.
• Dr. Raymond Tempier, Professor of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, who reported on the findings of a recent study relating to Franco-Ontarians’ access to in-hospital psychiatric services.
• Louise Bouchard, Ph. D., Professor of Sociology, University of Ottawa, who provided findings on mental health status data relating to the Francophone population of Ontario.
• Dr. Benoit Mulsant, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, who spoke about the services needed to address the needs of the aging population with mental health and addiction issues.

In addition, presentations were given from NOSM’s various educational and administrative portfolios to report back to the Francophone community about the School’s efforts to ensure their activities and initiatives meet the needs of the Francophone community. Most importantly, these presentations included round-table discussions to seek input from participants about how NOSM can continue to improve to meet the needs of Francophones in Northern Ontario.

“At NOSM, we determine our activities in partnership with Northern Ontario communities,” says Dr. David Marsh, NOSM Deputy Dean and Associate Dean, Community Engagement. “That’s what the Francophone Symposium is about: understanding the needs of the francophone community so that we can ensure that our initiatives are tailored to meet those needs. We look to you, as our valued partners and members of the Francophone community, to help us ensure that our graduates are equipped to work in Francophone communities.”

“The members of the Francophone community welcomed the opportunity to hear from the members of the NOSM team in order to better understand and truly appreciate all the work that has been done during the last 10 years,” notes Jacqueline Gauthier, Chair of the NOSM Francophone Reference Group. “They also welcomed the opportunity to discuss with the NOSM team, including Dr. Strasser and Dr. Marsh, future plans and strategies to be developed as the medical school continues to strive to meet the needs of French speaking patients throughout Northern Ontario for years to come.”

“I’d like to congratulate the Northern Ontario School of Medicine on its 10th anniversary,” said Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for the City of Greater Sudbury, Ward 12. “NOSM has had a lasting impact on our community and those across the North, where students become familiar with the landscape of our communities, including Francophone culture. Our physician recruitment program has seen much success. I am pleased to report that 45 NOSM-trained family physicians have begun practising in Sudbury, with 15 committed to start here over the next few years. This accounts for approximately 50% of our family physicians, who will care for approximately 83,000 citizens in our community.”

Amid a Week of Important NOSM Public Events

Using a combination of web- and tele-conference connectivity across Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its Annual Members and Board of Directors meetings on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.

Board members Dr. Bob Algie, Dr. Louise Logan, James Morris, and Dr. Teresa O’Driscoll were thanked for their significant contribution to the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, as their terms completed September 23, 2015.

At the recommendation of the Board’s Governance Committee and Nominations and Community Relations Subcommittee, the Board appointed four new members to NOSM’s Board of Directors:

• Danielle Bélanger-Corbin
• Dr. Pierre Bonin
• Mark Hurst
• Bruce Sutton

In accordance with Board policy regarding Officers of the Corporation, Dr. Moira McPherson, Provost and Vice-President Academic Lakehead University, was confirmed as Chair of the Board and Dr. Robert Kerr, Vice President, Academic and Provost of Laurentian University, was confirmed as Vice-Chair.  NOSM MD candidate Krista Marcotte was also reappointed as Board member.

The Board approved both the audited financial statements for the year ending April 30, 2015, and that BDO Canada LLP be appointed as auditors for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2016.

This week is an important one for the School, and a busy one for NOSM Board members who participated in several public NOSM events. NOSM publicly launched its new 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, created in collaboration with people and communities of Northern Ontario, and officially opened its 10^th anniversary celebration by engaging communities across Northern Ontario to “Be Active with NOSM.” Also this week, NOSM’s Francophone Affairs Unit is hosting the School’s 5^th Francophone Symposium at Laurentian University in Sudbury.

The new Strategic Plan, NOSM’s 10^th anniversary celebrations, and the Francophone Symposium share a common theme-that is, each of them is grounded in NOSM’s commitment to working with the region’s people, communities, partners, and collaborators for a healthier North.

The Board made special recognition of NOSM’s many recent accomplishments, and faculty and staff were congratulated for another year of high achievement under the leadership of the Dean.

Prior to the official Board meeting, members were invited to a special pre-screening of TVO’s upcoming The Doctor Can See You Now, a documentary which follows the story of NOSM-trained physician, Dr. Doris Mitchell, the doctor for Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, and the Township of Chapleau. The documentary examines Northern Ontario health-care issues, and provides insight into how the Northern Ontario School of Medicine is addressing the chronic shortage of physicians in our region. The Doctor Can See You Nowwill first air on TVO on September 30 at 9:00 p.m. EST.

The next Board of Directors meeting will be held in Thunder Bay on November 26 and 27, 2015.

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

Contact:

news@nosm.ca

Earlier today, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) publicly launched Reaching Beyond Extraordinary Together-NOSM’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020. The product of a highly inclusive process nearly two years in the making, this revitalized plan will chart the direction of the School for the next five years.

Five strategic goals are at the heart of this renewed Strategic Plan:

•  Enrich our educational programs to foster exemplary quality health care in rural and remote communities.
• Strengthen our capacity to perform outstanding research that aligns with the health needs of Northern Ontario.
• Create an inclusive whole school culture and learning environment that supports the growth and development of our faculty, staff, and learners.
• Empower our faculty members through ongoing engagement and active involvement in all aspects of the School.
• Engage our communities, health service partners, and other collaborators strategically to strengthen relationships and expand resources.

The goals are ambitious but achievable, aligning with the culture of NOSM.

“This plan is truly a collective vision for the year 2020-one that could not have been accomplished without the ideas, guidance, and collaboration of individuals and organizations across the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s wider campus of Northern Ontario,” says Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “Thank you, merci and miigwetch to all those who gave their time and input to help ensure NOSM’s Strategic Plan addresses the health priorities of Northern Ontarians.”

“I believe that the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and its many collaborators have created a meaningful plan that will shape the future of medical education and research in Northern Ontario,” says Dr. Moira McPherson, Provost and Vice-President Academic Lakehead University and Chair of NOSM’s Board of Directors. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I look forward to continuing to work together in the fulfillment of the School’s vision of Innovative education and research for a healthier North.”

A Strategic Planning Project Team and a 28-member Strategic Planning Advisory Committee were formed in December 2013 to oversee the strategic planning process. More than 1,000 stakeholders were consulted through various methods including: online surveys, focus groups, staff meetings, and community visits.

From May to September 2014, NOSM’s Dean and CEO Dr. Roger Strasser, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean of Community Engagement, Dr. David Marsh, senior leaders, and staff travelled to more than 50 rural, remote, Francophone, and Aboriginal communities across Northern Ontario to meet with individuals, organizations, learners, health-care professionals, and faculty.

NOSM’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020 is the culmination of a purposeful process that actively sought to understand the ongoing health-related needs in the region. Visit nosmsp2020.ca for more details related to the five strategic goals, implementation of NOSM’s new Strategic Plan, and opportunities for ongoing input into the School and its priorities. An action plan describing how NOSM will meet its Strategic Goals will be made public in the coming weeks.