News

Wasaya Airways supports NOSM students’ menstrual product drive for Fort Severn First Nation

People in rural and remote Northern Ontario communities can expect to pay double the price for the same menstrual products found in larger cities in Ontario—it’s even higher for remote fly-in First Nations communities where a box of tampons can range from $16 to $45, forcing people to choose between menstrual products and groceries. Ashley Perreault and Lucie Ménard, medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), organized a sustainable menstrual product drive for the fly-in community of Fort Severn First Nation—the most northern community in Ontario. In March 2021, they set a goal to raise $4,000 to cover...

Two NOSM students receive CIBC Indigenous Learner Leadership Award

$47,500 awarded for demonstrating leadership and mentorship within school and community. Mélanie-Rose Frappier and Alison Lewis, both fourth-year medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), are the inaugural recipients of newly established CIBC Indigenous Learner Leadership Awards. The awards recognize self-identified Indigenous learners at NOSM who demonstrate exceptional leadership and mentorship within the School and community. “Mélanie-Rose and Alison are fantastic leaders with a strong commitment to promoting access to health care, Indigenous culture, anti-racism, equity and inclusion,” says Dr. S...

NOSM adopts the Okanagan Charter

Prioritizing health and wellbeing is a leading priority as a medical university. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) becomes an official signatory of the Okanagan Charter. “The health and well-being of NOSM learners, faculty and staff is a top priority as we transition from a medical school to a university,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM Dean, President and CEO. “Research shows us that individuals who are well are more creative, engaged, productive, and have a stronger sense of community. It’s important for the entire NOSM community to focus on wellness as we look to the future—a future where access to equitabl...

NOSM Maintains Full Accreditation of MD Degree

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has received full accreditation of its educational program leading to the MD degree. The review, originally scheduled as an in-person on-site visit, became the first in Canada to undergo a two-step virtual visit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accreditation is a process by which institutions and programs voluntarily undergo an extensive peer evaluation of their compliance with accepted standards for educational quality. Through accreditation, the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) provides assurance to medical students, graduates, the medical profession, health...

NOSM Appoints Academic Director for its new Centre for Social Accountability

Dr. Sarita Verma, Dean, President and CEO of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Cameron, PhD, as the inaugural Academic Director of the Centre for Social Accountability beginning a three-year term on July 1, 2021. Her appointment marks an important milestone in the development of the School’s new Centre for Social Accountability (CFSA). “Erin is a well-known faculty member and an active academic researcher at NOSM who is highly regarded for her focus on innovative, socially accountable medical education research,” says Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Research Innovat...

NOSM Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 2021 marks the 25th annual National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day when we celebrate the diverse culture, the rich history and the wondrousness of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples—our colleagues, friends and family. This date was chosen for many reasons, including its cultural significance as the summer solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Indigenous peoples and communities across the region traditionally celebrate their heritage. Today is an important day for all Canadians to observe. Participate in Indigenous cultural celebrations and be open to listening and learning about the history, culture ...

Launchfire and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Win 2021 Vega Digital Award

Launchfire, a leading game-based digital promo shop, and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) have won a 2021 Vega Digital Award in the Marketing Effectiveness category for The NOSM Trivia Challenge. The NOSM Trivia Challenge, challenged participants to answer educational trivia questions about health equity in Northern Ontario, and Indigenous and Francophone health, in support of creating access to equitable health care in the region. Entrants played for an individual cash prize of $1,000, and for a Northern Ontario community of their choice. The winning community would receive $10,000 towards their local health-care centr...

NOSM stands against Islamophobia

There are no words to express the horrific deaths of the Muslim family in London, Ontario on Sunday. NOSM stands against Islamophobia and all acts of racism. Our NOSM community stands in unity with the Muslim community, reiterating the foundational NOSM values of social accountability, collaboration, inclusiveness and respect. We continue our commitment to equity, increasing diversity, and strengthening the culture of inclusion at our school. Racism has no place at NOSM. Our heartfelt condolences, on behalf of our entire NOSM community, to the family tragically and forever affected by this senseless act of racist violence, and to M...