Premier of Ontario Announces $3.3 Million for NOSM

On Friday, August 22, the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, along with Minister for Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, as well as fellow Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro, announced that the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) will receive $3.3 million to assist in the expansion and upgrading of learning and clinical spaces and equipment in NOSM communities throughout Northern Ontario. This announcement was made at the West Campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine located at Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay.

Learners of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, which include medical students, residents, and learners in other health disciplines such as rehabilitation sciences and dietetics, undertake their clinical education in a wide range of health service settings in many communities across Northern Ontario, including small hospitals and clinics.

This funding, granted by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), will contribute to the capacity of NOSM learner-hosting sites to support the learners and faculty of the School. The $3.3 million will assist with increasing office and examination room capacity, purchasing technology and medical equipment, and procuring additional tools for teaching.

Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Founding Dean, says this generous grant will contribute to the quality of medical education experienced by NOSM learners across Northern Ontario. “What is truly exciting about this funding is that the enhancements to physical space and addition of instruments will stimulate and facilitate greater clinical learning experiences and opportunities for Northern Ontario School of Medicine learners and physician teachers,” he said.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine was established with a social accountability mandate. From its community-based Board of Directors to its extensive reliance on Northern communities, large and small, rural and remote, to act as hosts for its students, NOSM is committed to engaging Northerners in the educational process.