Supporting academic work in clinical settings: NOSM and the Hospital renew Academic Affiliation Agreement

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (the Hospital) have renewed their affiliation agreement for the benefit of learners, scientists, as well as patients and their care partners in Northern Ontario. The agreement aligns and strengthens academic work in clinical settings and enhances patient care, education and research.

Under the terms of this five-year agreement, the Hospital and NOSM remain dedicated to their long-standing affiliation and shared academic mission to support academic work in clinical settings with a focus on social accountability in Northern Ontario. Both institutions are committed to improving the health of Northern Ontario patients and their care partners through evidence-based care, innovative research and academic integration and a stronger approach to collaborative research, aligning strategic planning initiatives and priorities.

The agreement also commits to develop joint policies to streamline processes and communication for learners, faculty and staff across the affiliated institutions.

“This agreement represents the important, ongoing relationship; namely, between the medical school and the clinical training ground at the Hospital which is a cornerstone for learning physicians,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM Dean, President and CEO. “The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and NOSM are partners in the education of health professionals who will practise in our community and region. Collaboration is critical to the health of all Northern Ontarians, and will continue to be critical in sustaining health human resources in the North.”

“Our Hospital is very pleased to renew our highly valued affiliation agreement with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Learners are integral to the interprofessional health-care teams at our academic health sciences centre; the experience learners gain while at our Hospital is essential to their education,” said Jean Bartkowiak, Hospital President & CEO and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “Together, we welcome, nurture and support NOSM learners to ensure that our future physicians and health-care providers deliver safe, quality health care to patients and their care partners in Northwestern Ontario.”

The agreement underscores the shared responsibility in health professional education, resources, operational effectiveness, quality, planning, health human resources and funding.