NOSM University Achievement Celebration Honours Excellence in Health Education and Research

Posted on May 6, 2024

Dr. Sarita Verma stands in front of a podium and talks into a microphone. Behind her is a table with dozens of awards and a screen displaying stars.

NOSM University is proud to announce the accomplishments of faculty, preceptors, learners, alumni, and staff at the second-annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration, held on Friday, May 3, 2024.

The awards ceremony, part of the annual Northern Constellations and Connections faculty development conference, drew health-care professionals from across Northern Ontario. The ceremony recognized 19 preceptors, 11 faculty, five learners, two staff, two alumni, and one honorary alumnus who have each demonstrated exemplary service and commitment to health care, medical education, and research in Northern Ontario. Nominations were made by members of the NOSM University and Northern Ontario communities.

New this year, the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University recognized recipients who have contributed significantly to the betterment of the NOSM University community.

In addition, NOSM University celebrated this year’s promotions, which are at the full and associate professor and professor emeritus levels. Dr. Bill McCready, a longtime leader at NOSM University who was recognized as Professor Emeritus, delivered the Last Lecture “Lessons Learned and the Role of Serendipity: How Fate Shaped a Long Career.”

“NOSM University—the first and only medical university in Canada—has an incredible community of people behind it. We are so proud to recognize their extraordinary accomplishments,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University.

NOSM University congratulates the award-winners and the faculty who have received promotions. For the full agenda, please click here.

Faculty awards

Physician Clinical Teachers’ Association Leadership Award: Dr. Sarah McIsaac, Greater Sudbury
Academic Leader Award: Dr. Rony Atoui, Greater Sudbury
Clinical Scholar Award: Dr. Ioannis Voutsadakis, Sault Ste. Marie
Clinical Teacher Award: Dr. Amber Dudar, Thunder Bay
Community Champion Award: Denise Taylor, Thunder Bay
Faculty Mentorship: Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Huntsville
Medical Educator Award: Dr. Richard Painter, North Bay
Scholar Award: Dr. Sujeenthar Tharmalingam, Greater Sudbury

Learner awards

Learner Peer Teaching: Dr. Michael Christie, Thunder Bay
Learner Scholarly Activity: Arjav Gupta, Thunder Bay
Learner Advocate/Leader: Ashley Wallace, Thunder Bay
Learner-Nominated Teacher Award: Dr. Kiersten Parr, Timmins

Alumni awards

Rising Star Award: Dr. Kyle Harper, Timmins
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award: Dr. Kim Varty, Thunder Bay
Honourary Alumni Award: Chuck Schmitt (posthumously), Dryden

The inaugural Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University

Faculty Northeast: Dr. David MacLean, Greater Sudbury
Faculty Northwest: Dr. Kim Varty, Thunder Bay
Staff Northeast: Dr. Kristy Côté, Greater Sudbury
Staff Northwest: Marie Parkkari, Thunder Bay
Learner Northeast: Dr. Mélanie-Rose Frappier, North Bay
Learner Northwest: Taylor Murie, Thunder Bay

Health Sciences Preceptor Awards

Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Occupational Therapy: Linda Smith, Greater Sudbury
Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Physiotherapy: Marie-Josée Dagenais, North Bay
Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Sally Guillemette, Timmins
Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Dietetics: Rachel Palahnuk, Sault Ste. Marie
Innovative Preceptor Award – Occupational Therapy: Sarah-Jane Mason, Huntsville
Innovative Preceptor Award – Physiotherapy: Fraser Stephenson, Sioux Lookout
Innovative Preceptor Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Carrie Linklater, North Bay
Innovative Preceptor Award – Dietetics: Chantal Bélanger, Greater Sudbury
Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Occupational Therapy: Mavia DeNoble, Greater Sudbury
Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Physiotherapy: Jill Whitwam, Temiskaming Shores
Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Brenda Liddle, Huntsville
Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Allana Gowan, Huntsville
Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Dietetics: Lela Hopper, Greater Sudbury
Academic Excellence Award – Physiotherapy: Cheryl Alderdice, North Bay
Academic Excellence Award – Dietetics: Bridget King, Greater Sudbury
Northern Ambassador Award – Occupational Therapy: Monique Jardine, North Bay
Northern Ambassador Award – Physiotherapy: Derek Debassige, M’Chigeeng First Nation
Northern Ambassador Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Rachel Pessah, Timmins
Northern Ambassador Award – Dietetics: Kelsey McGinn, Kirkland Lake

Promotions

Dr. Carita Lannér, Professor Emerita
Dr. William McCready, Professor Emeritus
Dr. Tara Baron, Professor
Dr. Ayman Hassan, Professor
Dr. Alex Moise, Professor
Dr. Alain Simard, Professor
Dr. Adedayo Alabi, Associate Professor
Dr. Mélanie Breau, Associate Professor
Dr. Chantal Corbeil, Associate Professor
Dr. Lily DeMiglio, Associate Professor
Dr. Joseph Del Paggio, Associate Professor
Dr. Sarah Facca, Associate Professor
Dr. Renée Gauthier, Associate Professor
Dr. Ken Hotson, Associate Professor
Dr. Naana Afua Jumah, Associate Professor
Dr. Tara Leary, Associate Professor
Dr. Virginie Marchadier, Associate Professor
Dr. Renée-Anne Montpellier, Associate Professor
Dr. Florence Morriello, Associate Professor
Dr. Rebekah Neckoway, Associate Professor
Dr. Laura Power, Associate Professor
Dr. Kerry Reed, Associate Professor
Dr. David Savage, Associate Professor
Dr. Ravinder Jeet Singh, Associate Professor
Dr. Karen Splinter, Associate Professor

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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 news@nosm.ca.