NOSM Reshaping to Thrive, Meet Strategic Plan and Fiscal Priorities

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) today announced that it is undergoing a reshaping of its organizational structure. Guided by the vision of Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North, the School is modifying its structure in order to move forward, and continue to be an international leader recognized for its distinct model of distributed, community-engaged medical education and research as outlined in the School’s Strategic Plan: 2010-15.

The reshaping of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine will respond to Strategic Plan priorities identified through a full year of collaboration and consultations with NOSM faculty, staff, Board of Directors, and stakeholders across the North.

Five Priorities of Strategic Plan:

Enhancing Education Program
Strengthening Research Initiatives
Developing Learning Environment
Fostering Excellent Faculty Relations
Enhancing Collaboration and Communication with Community Partners

The School is positioning itself and is making the changes necessary to thrive and remain at the forefront of medical education and research in the reality of an economically-challenging environment.

Balanced Budget

Transformations to NOSM’s operations will enable the School to meet its fiscal obligations in an environment of fixed funding and expanding costs. NOSM’s Board of Directors policy requires an annual balanced operations budget. Operational adjustments were necessary to address a structural deficit ($1.5 M plus .5 M in loss of funding from the Ministry of Health) and to ensure the School achieves a balanced budget in 2011/12.

New Organizational Structure

In the new structure, the School’s functions will be represented by five Associate Deans (reduced from nine), who lead portfolios that reflect NOSM’s Strategic Plan priorities. Supported by the Dean’s Office and Administration, the School’s portfolios will include: Faculty Affairs, Undergraduate Medical Education, Postgraduate Medical Education, Research, Community Engagement.

NOSM functions currently represented by the portfolios of Continuing Health Professional Education, Informatics, and Learner Affairs will be redistributed.

Regretfully, this organizational change will result in a School-wide reduction of 24 management and staff positions. No faculty members will be laid off as a result of the reshaping.

“The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is positioning itself to thrive in an environment which is facing significant fiscal pressures and structural funding challenges,” said Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “Undergoing a reorganization that results in the reduction of positions is not an easy situation. I am personally grateful to all individuals who have contributed to the success of NOSM,” he continued.