Student-led video captures the attention of the Canadian Paediatric Society

Northern Ontario has the highest rates of cannabis dependence in high-school students across the province, according to the study Drug use among Ontario Students, published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in 2020.

When a group of fourth-year medical students at NOSM University learned these statistics, they felt compelled to educate preteens and teenagers ages 12-18 as part of their unique advocacy curriculum.

“Our goal with this project was to create a captivating, information-packed video to educate youth about cannabis and share harm reduction strategies using reliable resources from the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and the Government of Canada,” says Kelsey Pitre, fourth-year NOSM University medical student. “We are hoping that our video answers questions that kids may have about cannabis, and facilitates open discussions. Ultimately, if youth still opt to use cannabis, I hope this video will provide them with strategies to use it more safely.”

Brittany Pennock, fellow classmate and group member says the rising rates of use is what motivated them to do something to help. “I was really surprised at the prevalence of cannabis use in youth and adolescents documented in the literature. It was much higher than I had anticipated,” she says. “Learning this is what moved us to increase the resources available to educate youth and facilitate those difficult discussions around substance use.”

Research states that the increased use of cannabis is even more prevalent in Indigenous youth living on reserve and is also linked to several challenges, including “lower SES (Socio-Economic Status), poorer mental health and poorer relationships with school,” according to the a systematic review Non-medical cannabis use among Indigenous Canadians, published in 2021 by the International Journal of Drug Policy. According to the research, other factors associated with cannabis use include poorer social and family supports, and exposure to intergenerational trauma.

Jeni Glassford, another member of the group says, “This video delivers ‘heavy’ information about cannabis use in an easily digestible manner for youth and teens. I think there is a need for more youth-friendly content like this. It isn’t just a laundry list of ill effects of cannabis use, the video acknowledges that some youth may still decide to use cannabis despite the risks. We drew attention to this and dedicated the video to harm reduction strategies.”

The team acknowledges Dr. Tara Baron, NOSM University Paediatrics Residency Program Director and Associate Professor, and Pediatrician at NEO Kids in Sudbury, who supervised this project and served as an incredible source of guidance and support.

The group of students contacted regional district health units, regional harm reduction programs and the Canadian Paediatrics Society in a wider effort to spread the word. The project was awarded the Paediatric Resident Advocacy Education Grant by Healthy Generations.

“Living and training in the North, you learn that meaningful change begins with intent and is driven by people who have a common goal,” says Alannah MacLean, medical student and group member. “We knew that reaching out to the greater Northern Ontario community would help get this video to youth who will benefit most from learning more about cannabis and harm reduction strategies.”

Pitre adds, “Our years at NOSM have taught us to advocate for patients both at the bedside and beyond. We’ve learned to identify health disparities and find unique ways to try to address them in partnership with communities, and it has been an incredible learning experience.”

“Above all, I hope that youth will feel more comfortable talking to their doctor, or another trusted health-care professional about cannabis use so they can get the reliable information and the support they need,” says Pennock. “We all play a role in combating misinformation.”

To view the video please visit NOSM University’s YouTube channel.

– 30 –

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: communication@nosm.ca

In the Spotlight

Dr. Melanie Squarzolo named Program Director of the Postgraduate Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Program

Friday April 8th, 2022 Tara Hawkes

NOSM University announces Dr. Melanie Squarzolo as the incoming Program Director of the Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine (FM/EM) residency program, effective May 1, 2022.

Dr. Squarzolo practises in the emergency department at Health Sciences North in Sudbury. She completed medical school at the University of Toronto and Family Medicine residency in the University of Ottawa’s Northern stream. Dr. Squarzolo is NOSM Alumna—a member of the first graduating class of NOSM’s FM/EM program.

The Emergency Medicine program is a one-year enhanced skills program, entered after completion of a two-year Family Medicine residency. On completion, resident doctors are able to take the Examination of Added Competence in Emergency Medicine facilitated by the College of Family Physicians of Canada to receive their CCFP (EM) designation, and are well prepared for practise in any Canadian emergency department.

Currently, Dr. Squarzolo is an Associate Professor at NOSM University and the Sudbury Site Director of FM/EM, a position she’s held for six years. She is an active leader in the University’s MD and residency education as lead of the Family Medicine Program Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement Committee and Past President of the Sudbury Emergency Associates Local Education Group. Dr. Squarzolo is also actively involved in research and academic quality improvement and has received both a NOSM University Educational Initiative Grant and a NOAMA Clinical Innovation award.

On behalf of the NOSM University community, we extend great admiration and an immense thank you to Dr. Bill MacGregor, outgoing Program Director, who will continue to support the program and this transition until June 30, 2022. Dr. MacGregor’s commitment to residents and this program are sincerely appreciated.

Board, Homepage News, Media Releases

NOSM University holds first Board of Governors meeting

Gallery Friday April 8th, 2022 Alexandra Poling

Transition board affirms mission, vision and values

NOSM University held a transition board of governors meeting on April 5, 2022—its first since becoming an independent university.

The NOSM University Transition Board of Governors was confirmed, comprised of 16 members who reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of Northern Ontario, including Indigenous, Francophone, and rural and remote communities. Mrs. Joy Warkentin is confirmed as Chair of the transition Board of Governors and Mr. Mark Hurst as Vice-Chair. The transition board is in place until April 1, 2023.

Mrs. Warkentin is passionate about leadership and service. She was educated first as a nurse and then as an educator, holding a degree in sociology and a Master of Education in curriculum development. Mrs. Warkentin taught nursing, became Chair of Health Sciences and then Associate Dean Academic at Confederation College. After relocating to London, Ontario, she was the Senior Vice President at Fanshawe College from 2000 to 2009. Mrs. Warkentin has received many awards and accolades for her dedicated contributions.

Mr. Hurst is Past President and CEO North Bay Regional Health Care. Beginning his post-secondary education at Glendon College at York University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history and a minor in French. Mr. Hurst later earned a post-graduate diploma in hospital administration from the University of Toronto. Mr. Hurst played a significant leadership role in the merger of North Bay Civic Hospital and St. Joseph’s General Hospital in 1995, and became President and CEO of the newly consolidated North Bay General Hospital at that time.

The first order of business as a new Board of Governors was to ratify the NOSM University By-law No. 1 and reaffirm NOSM University’s mission, vision and values which remain as defined in the strategic plan, The NOSM Challenge 2025. The financial statements for January 31, 2022 as presented by the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee were approved.

“This was a meeting that will certainly be marked in our history,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean and CEO of NOSM University. “The energy was electric as we moved through many important items that will kick start this new chapter. Our mission to improve the health of Northern Ontarians by being socially accountable in our education and research programs and advocating for health equity is as important as ever.”

Dr. Verma reported on the progress made in 2021, which is closely tied to the work underway to achieve the outcomes of its strategic plan.

More information about the NOSM University Board of Governors can be found on the NOSM University website.

-30-

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.

Facts about NOSM University:

NOSM University has produced 780 MDs, 55 of whom self-identify as Indigenous, and 165 of whom self-identify as Francophone. In addition, 692 residents have completed NOSM programs. More than half of these health practitioners have stayed in Northern Ontario.
Now that the legislation is proclaimed in force, NOSM University will form a new Board of Governors and a Senate.
NOSM University has partnerships and collaborations with more than 500 organizations, 90+ communities, and more than 1,800 clinical, human and medical sciences faculty dispersed across all of Northern Ontario.
NOSM University is the first medical university in Canada with a dedicated Centre for Social Accountability.
NOSM University is a signatory to the Okanagan Charter, an international charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges.