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NOSM University Board of Governors Officially Welcomes Dr. Michael Green, New and Returning Board Members—and Looks to Strategic Planning

At its meeting on November 19, 2024, the NOSM University Board of Governors officially welcomed Dr. Michael Green to the role of President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, CEO, and Board member, effective November 1, 2024.  

 “On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am honoured to officially welcome Dr. Michael Green to NOSM University as our new President,” says Sue LeBeau, Chair of the NOSM University Board of Governors. ” Dr. Green’s expertise, vision, and commitment to advancing medical education and research will be invaluable as we work together to evolve our governance, strategy and social accountability. This is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for our university, and we look forward to the journey ahead under his leadership.” 

 At the meeting, the Board announced that LeBeau has accepted a reappointment as Board Chair. She is the Executive Director of l’Équipe santé Sudbury Espanola Manitoulin Elliot Lake Ontario Health Team. Previously, she was the CEO at the West Nipissing General Hospital, and the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital. With extensive experience in healthcare administration, community nursing, and education, she has also supported regional health-care planners and home care as the Director of Quality and Risk at the former North-East Local Health Integration Network. 

 Additionally, Mae Katt has accepted a reappointment as Vice Chair. She is Ojibway from Temagami First Nation and a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner. Katt holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, a Master of Education (Curriculum Specialty), and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University. She began her journey with the Board of Governors in September 2020. 

 The Board also welcomed two new members:  

  • Laurel Pirrie, student learner, January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 
  • Peter Thai, Lieutenant Governor in Council appointee (LGIC), 3-year term, September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027 

Board Membership for 2025 includes: Craig Abotossaway, John Beaucage, Dr. Cindy Blackstock (Chancellor), Angela Carter, Dr. Kristy Côté, Dr. Killian De Blacam, Dr. Michael Green (President), Mark Hartman, Mark Hurst, Mae Katt (Vice Chair), Sue LeBeau (Chair), Dawn Morissette, Laurel Pirrie (student learner), Dr. Shemer Ratner, Susan Soldan, John Stenger, Peter Thai, Joy Warkentin. 

For more information about LGIC appointments and current openings on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University Board of Governors, please visit the Ministry of Colleges and Universities website.  

The Board also bid farewell to student governor Dr. Imran Bagha, whose contributions have been instrumental. 

The theme for this two-day session, Leadership in Action—Strengthening Governance, Strategy, and Accountability, reflects a Board commitment to ensuring effective stewardship and aligning with NOSM University’s mission, vision, and values.  

As the existing strategic plan, The NOSM University Challenge 2025, comes to a close, the Board is now moving forward with the next steps in the new strategic planning process, which will get underway in December 2024.  

For more information, including the After Report from this meeting, please visit the Board of Governors section of the NOSM University website.   

Northern Routes

Hello, NOSM University! Allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Dr. Michael Green, but most people call me Mike. It is my great honour to be back in the North, this time as President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. As you may already know, Northern Ontario holds a special place in my heart. I spent eight wonderful years as a family doctor in Moose Factory and Kashechewan, and I have seen firsthand how important NOSM University is to improving access to health care.

There is no question in my mind that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Over the last two decades, Dr. Sarita Verma and Founding Dean Emeritus Dr. Roger Strasser did monumental work building NOSM University into what it is today: a world-class destination for health professions education and research, and a beacon of light in the pursuit of health equity for all. I am humbled to be entrusted with carrying forward this vital mission.

Dr. Verma’s leadership over the last five years has been a master class in focus, determination, and agility. She not only kept NOSM University stable and operational during the global pandemic but also made it the first independent medical school in Canada. Under her leadership, NOSM University achieved full accreditation, and the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity was established. On top of that, she has overseen historic and ongoing expansion efforts, and she and her team secured the first $50 million for the NOSM University Student Endowment Fund, which will help so many students achieve their dreams. She is legendary.

Dr. Strasser was dean at the former Northern Ontario School of Medicine when I was first working in the North. He was inspirational to me then and remains a visionary leader in rural health education. Dr. Strasser’s dedication to improving health-care access in underserved communities has rightly earned him international recognition. His commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire others undoubtedly contributed to the success of what is today NOSM University.

My top priority is to continue to build upon the relationships that have already been established. These connections are the lifeblood of our institution, and they help to ensure that our educational and research programs remain responsive to the specific needs of the region. As we shape the direction of our next strategic plan, I want to assure you of our unwavering commitment to transform health human resource planning, and to advance social accountability. We will continue to innovate health professions education and bolster research capacity in Northern Ontario. Most of all, we will stay focused on excellence in health professions education to help improve health equity in Northern Ontario.

I look forward to collaborating with the exceptional faculty, staff, students, learners, and partners of NOSM University as we embark on this exciting new chapter. Together, we can build on the incredible foundation laid by my predecessors and work toward a healthier future for Northern Ontario. I also look forward to meeting our generous donors and accomplished alums whose support and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our mission.

I am inspired by the possibilities ahead.

Dr. Michael Green
President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO
NOSM University

If you have any feedback or comments, please reach out at president@nosm.ca and follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @DrMichaelGreen1.

Join us in celebrating Giving Tuesday and NOSM University’s 20th anniversary!

We are excited to announce our countdown to Giving Tuesday! This year, in honour of NOSM University’s 20th anniversary, we are celebrating Giving Tuesday by highlighting the 2009 NOSM Charter Class Bursary.

Join our first MD class in supporting future health care leaders by donating to the bursary they established. Together, we can help deserving students overcome financial obstacles. Help us reach our $25,000 goal!

Learn more and donate at nosm.ca/givingtuesday.

 

Nominations open for the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University 2025

The third annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration will take place again on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, as part of the Northern Constellations conference.

This gala event honours excellence and leadership among individuals in the NOSM University community.

In 2025, NOSM University learners, staff, and faculty members will again be honoured with the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University, which were established last year by Dr. Sarita Verma.

The awards will be given to three recipients in the Northwest and three in the Northeast, representing a learner, staff member, and faculty member, respectively. Recipients need not reside in Thunder Bay or Greater Sudbury.

Nominees must have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, such as effective communication, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to NOSM University’s values and mission, and contributed significantly to the betterment of the NOSM University community. Learners, staff, or faculty can nominate their peers for the awards. All current part- and full-time learners, staff, and faculty are eligible.

Nomination Deadline: Please complete nominations by January 17, 2025. A selection committee will review nominations and make final decisions by January 24, 2025.

Submission: The nomination and all accompanying documents must be submitted using this online form.

Questions: Please email externalrelations@nosm.ca.

In the Spotlight

NOSM University student named Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society

For fourth-year NOSM University student Alexandra Klem, her appointment as Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is an opportunity for her to empower fellow medical students in their pursuit of pediatrics.

Alexandra has been a member of the CPS since 2022 and her experience with the Society propelled her to apply for this position. In her role, she is organizing a national student-to-resident mentorship program, developing podcasts, and hosting mock CaRMS interview sessions to support students exploring and applying to pediatrics.

Before attending NOSM University, Alexandra studied Life Physics at the University of Waterloo. Having grown up in Sudbury, she always wanted to attend NOSM University for its unique rural opportunities and strong focus on social medicine.

Alexandra says she is interested in pediatrics because of its family-centered, holistic, and preventative approach to care. She enjoys the challenge of working with children through the different ages and stages of growth. “Children evolve as rapidly as they grow, and I appreciate the creativity this requires in my approach to care,” Alexandra says.

In addition to working with kids, Alexandra is interested in the administrative side of medicine, which is another reason she got involved with the Canadian Paediatric Society.

Preventative and evidence-based medicine are important to her, and she would like to contribute to developing CPS statements and guidelines in the future. As the 2024-2025 Medical Student Liaison for the Canadian Paediatric Society, Alexandra hopes to foster more collaboration nationally.

“I think it’s wonderful when we learn from each other, and we can collaborate on initiatives across the country. We accomplish far more when we work together,” she says.

NOSM University