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Board of Governors moves forward with NOSM University priorities

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, the NOSM University transitional board of governors met virtually at its second meeting since becoming Canada’s first independent medical university.

The Board reviewed the President’s achievements as highlighted in the NOSM University Making History 2021-2022. In this report, NOSM University celebrates its roots by highlighting key milestones from the past 20 years including how it is embodying health justice, opening doors for BIPOC women in medicine, empowering future learners, and changing the status quo by making NOSM University the research nexus for the North.

“With our newfound independence, we will strengthen our relationships, broaden our reach, and drive forward our vision for social accountability and equitable access to health care in the North,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, and Dean of NOSM University. “We now move forward with the priorities identified in The NOSM Challenge 2025 strategic plan.”

As part of its regular meeting of the Board of Governors, the standing committees reported updates. The Board approved the Financial Report ending March 31, 2022, and the proposed operational budget for 2022-2023. Dr. Sarita Verma, reported on the performance goals, which are closely tied to the outcomes of The NOSM Challenge 2025. “Becoming NOSM University” was approved as an additional direction in its strategic plan.

“Far from a break with the past, NOSM University is a seamless continuation of the work done by so many to make it the single greatest resource for health and wealth in Northern Ontario,” says Dr. Verma.

A full copy of the Dean’s report can be accessed at report.nosm.ca.

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

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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 peoples 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: communications@nosm.ca

Join the NOSM University $10K Social Accountability Challenge

Working on a climate change project or planning community-led work in planetary health and social determinants of health? Or maybe you and your Indigenous community or organization aims to connect youth with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to visit with each other to learn about the land and talk about the effects of climate change on the earth.

NOSM University has an opportunity for you.

You may be eligible to apply for funding from NOSM University’s Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA). The $10K Social Accountability Challenge will award $10,000 to 10 community-based organizations with a focus on climate change. Five organizations will be selected for planetary health related projects and five will be selected for Indigenous climate change projects that empower youth.

It’s easy to apply! Simply send an application form by email to 10kchallenge@nosm.ca. Guidelines for the application and eligibility requirements can be found on the CFSA website.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent is Monday, June 6. Those selected will be invited to submit a full application by June 27. The successful projects will be featured in a year-end NOSM University video and across our social media channels next year.

Join the NOSM University $10K Challenge today and become a recognized changemaker in your community. We look forward to supporting you!

For more information, visit the NOSM University Centre for Social Accountability or email 10kchallenge@nosm.ca.

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About NOSM University

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 peoples 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.

About Centre for Social Accountability

The Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA) is the first of its kind in Canada. It is a model for multidisciplinary, community-led, and community-prioritised health and public health multidisciplinary research. The NOSM CFSA is advancing social accountability research globally and locally by working and collaborating with diverse stakeholders in the broad areas of health professional education, health system transformation, health human resources, social and population health, and social determinants of health. The Centre is home to research networks, such as NORTHH and MERLIN, which focus on building capacity and providing tools for change.

About the Shkagamik Kwe G’nandwegonah (mother Earth is Healing Us) Project

We are a group of people who share what we have found people to believe are Ancient Ways and knowledge of living a good life, known as mino bimaadiziwin. We realize that different people have different teachings or views. We share what we have permission to share on a website. We have created this website https://www.seven-grandfathers.ca/ for all people who are interested in learning about the Anishinaabe People and Shkagamik Kwe (Mother Earth).

 

For application information, please contact:

Dr. Erin Cameron, PhD
Academic Director, Centre for Social Accountability
NOSM University
Phone: 807-631-1682
Email: ercameron@nosm.ca

Dr. Marion Maar, PhD
Associate Professor, Medical Anthropology, Human Sciences Division
NOSM University
Phone: 705-280-0509
Email: mmaar@nosm.ca

Dr. Jacinta Oyella named incoming Site Director of NOSM University’s Family Medicine Remote First Nations Stream

NOSM University announces Dr. Jacinta Oyella as the incoming Site Director of the Family Medicine Remote First Nations Stream, effective May 1, 2022.

Dr. Oyella practises as a Community Physician for Matawa Health Co-operative (MHC). She completed medical school at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and is an alumna of the Family Medicine Remote First Nation Stream. Currently, Dr. Oyella is a Clinical Lecturer and Preceptor at NOSM University and has acted as a competency coach for NOSM University residents.

Dr. Oyella has received recognition for her work, including peer-reviewed articles and was recognized by The Women Deliver International Scholarship—a leading global advocate for girls and women’s health, rights and wellbeing. She advocated for girls and women with HIV/AIDS and coordinated the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS Program. She was also awarded an HIV/AIDS research grant by the U.S. National Institute of Health’s Fogarty International Center to conduct a cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and factors associated with a deadly fungal infection, cryptococcosis; predominantly seen in HIV/AIDS patients with severe immunosuppression.

On behalf of the NOSM University community, we extend our admiration and immense thanks to Dr. Claudette Chase, outgoing Site Director, who will continue to support the Remote First Nations Stream and Dr. Oyella’s transition into the role until May 31, 2022. Dr. Chase’s commitment to residents, her dedication to the program, and her incredible contributions and advocacy are greatly admired and sincerely appreciated.

NOSM University