NOSM Announces New Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Joseph LeBlanc has been appointed the School’s inaugural Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion, beginning July 1, 2020 for a five-year term. Dr. LeBlanc has been NOSM’s Director, Indigenous Affairs since October 15, 2018.

Dr. LeBlanc is a life-long Northern Ontarian and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Before joining the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, he worked for a diverse range of organizations, including academic institutions, Indigenous organizations, charities, and non-profits.

He holds an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Forest Conservation, an Environmental Management Certificate, and a PhD in Forest Sciences from Lakehead University. Dr. LeBlanc is recognized as a leading expert in Indigenous food systems and community development in Canada. He has also received several awards including a Top 20 under 40 Northwestern Ontario Visionary Award and a Forty under 40 Northern Ontario Business Award.

Dr. LeBlanc brings to the role a range of skills and experiences that will build on NOSM’s strengths as a medical school founded on NOSM’s values of social accountability, collaboration, inclusiveness, respect and innovation. In the role, Dr. LeBlanc will provide vision and leadership in the Office of the Dean by promoting equity, increasing diversity, and strengthening the culture of inclusion among the School’s faculty, staff, learners, alumni, and friends, in collaboration with community and academic partners.

Congratulations, Dr. LeBlanc!