NOSM University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sujeenthar Tharmalingam as Assistant Dean, Research, effective October 20, 2025. An Associate Professor, Dr. Tharmalingam has made significant contributions to advancing molecular biology and mentoring learners at NOSM University. In this new role, he will lead initiatives that strengthen the University’s research environment and support innovative discoveries across Northern Ontario.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Assistant Dean, Research at NOSM University,” says Dr. Tharmalingam. “Research plays a vital role in improving health outcomes in Northern Ontario, and I look forward to supporting faculty, learners, and partners as we continue to expand NOSM University’s research impact.”

Dr. David Marsh, Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies, extends his congratulations: “Dr. Tharmalingam brings both passion and experience to this role. His commitment to scientific excellence and mentorship will continue to enhance NOSM University’s research partnerships.”

A sincere thank you to Dr. T.C. Tai for his outstanding leadership as Assistant Dean, Research, over the past seven years. His dedication has laid a strong foundation for the continued growth of research at NOSM University. Dr. Tai has transitioned to the role of Division Head for both the Human Sciences and Medical Sciences Divisions at NOSM University.

Homepage News, Media Releases, News, Uncategorized

RBC Foundation donates $250,000 to NOSM University to strengthen rural and Northern Ontario physician training

Wednesday October 22nd, 2025 Caroline Cox

A transformative $250,000 gift from the RBC Foundation is helping to shape the future of health care in Northern Ontario. Over the next three years, this donation will support an innovative NOSM University program designed to train and retain physicians in rural, remote, Indigenous and Francophone communities. By equipping future rural family doctors with the diverse, adaptable skills needed to thrive in community-based practice, this initiative will strengthen access to compassionate, high-quality care for people across the North.

The funding will support initiatives led by Dr. Sarah Newbery, Associate Dean of Physician Workforce Strategy at NOSM University, whose work targets the region’s ongoing physician shortages through focused recruitment, hands-on community-based training, and strategic retention programs.

“This generous donation from RBC Foundation allows us to further develop the Rural Generalist Pathway,” says Dr. Newbery. “It directly supports resident trainees in Northern Ontario’s rural communities as they acquire the skills needed to become part of a sustainable and thriving physician workforce. We know that community-engaged education is key to retaining physicians where they are most needed, and this funding brings that vision closer to reality.”

“RBC Foundation’s leadership in supporting this critical work will have a direct and lasting impact on the health of Northern Ontario communities. It underscores the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, communities, and corporate partners,” says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO at NOSM University. “We are grateful for their generous donation.”

RBC Foundation has a longstanding commitment to strengthening communities and supporting initiatives that promote access to essential services, including health care.

“Communities across Canada continue to face challenges in health care, including staff shortages and limited access to physicians,” says Matt Simeoni, Vice-President, RBC Commercial Financial Services. “NOSM University is helping address these challenges here in Northern Ontario, and this donation will support their important work to train and retain doctors across the region.”

This $250,000 donation builds on RBC Foundation’s tradition of community investment and aligns with NOSM University’s mission to improve access to quality health care in underserved areas. NOSM University learners train in more than 90 communities, including rural, Indigenous and Francophone communities throughout the North. Almost 90% of learners who complete both their MD and residency training at NOSM University stay to practise in Northern Ontario. Notably, 569 physicians to date are practising in the North; 131 are practising in rural communities.

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

Francophone Features, Homepage News, Media Releases, News

NOSM University leader wins national award for contributions to Francophone health

Tuesday October 7th, 2025 Tara Hawkes

A pillar of Francophone health education advocacy in the North, Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue was recently honoured with the national Une étoile montante (Rising Star) award from the Sociéte Santé en français.

The award recognizes a person whose actions exhibit promising leadership in their field and demonstrate exceptional commitment to the development of Francophone health. Barbeau-Rodrigue accepted the award at the Sociéte Santé en français’s AGM on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Director of the Francophone Affairs Unit at NOSM University since 2005, Barbeau-Rodrigue has changed the face of Francophone health education in Northern Ontario. This award recognizes her visionary leadership, her unwavering engagement, and her steadfast advocacy. Profoundly rooted in the needs of Northern communities, her work has directly impacted NOSM University’s success in graduating more than 200 Francophone physicians.

“I am profoundly honoured to receive this recognition,” Barbeau-Rodrigue says. “This award reminds me that every action, every initiative can contribute to improve access to equitable, quality French-language health training, services, and care. This work cannot be accomplished in isolation. I am proud to share this award and so very grateful to work with such amazing colleagues within the Francophone Affairs Unit and Equity and Inclusion Portfolio at NOSM University. Receiving this award, for me, is an invitation to innovate and collaborate to continue this important work with a focus on helping ensure that French-language health services are available everywhere.”

Barbeau-Rodrigue has been a constant and relentless advocate for access to quality health education in French, despite the challenges of a minority-language environment—both in Northern Ontario and at NOSM University, an institution that provides instruction in the English language. Her numerous contributions include collaborating on research on Francophone health and Francophone health education, introducing an Active Offer training module to increase equitable access to health care, and helping create the Francophone Curricular Initiative enabling medical students to complete some of their mandatory MD curriculum in French.

For more than 20 years, Barbeau-Rodrigue has been integral to supporting NOSM University learners, with her impact seen in the many graduates now practising as physicians and health professionals across Northern Ontario.

“In the vast and often isolated area of Northern Ontario, Danielle Barbeau-Rodrigue’s name is inseparable from Francophone health education—from Kenora to Hearst, and all the way to Midland,” says Laïla Faivre, Manager, Equity and Inclusion at NOSM University. It was Faivre who nominated Barbeau-Rodrigue for the award. “She has made a rare, authentic, and profoundly transformative contribution to health care in Northern Ontario.”

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NOSM University is Canada’s first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the people of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.

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