News

Honouring NOSM’s Black leaders during Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black culture and the many contributions made by Black learners, physicians, academics and staff at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). The accounts of racism in medicine and the events of the past year amplify the importance of the NOSM anti-racism movement and the School’s commitment to Respect The Difference. As a medical school, we acknowledge the significance, strength and innovation of equity, diversity and inclusiveness in medicine and are boldly implementing a culture of anti-racism at all levels of the School. NOSM is actively working to remove social and e...

NOSM receives unprecedented $1.2 million donation to invest in social accountability

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) announces a $1.2 million donation to support its social accountability mandate. This gift marks the largest by an individual donor in the School’s history. Dr. Hugh Robertson, Emeritus Professor of Radiology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Clinical Professor of Radiology at Tulane University Medical Centre in New Orleans, made the donation to help NOSM in addressing health inequity, advocacy for marginalized populations and access to care in Northern Ontario. With roots in Cochrane, Ontario, Dr. Robertson is concerned about the shortages of physicians in the ...

NOSM Staff and Board Ratify a New Four-Year Collective Agreement

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 677 (Unit 2), representing 132 staff, are pleased to announce the ratification of their fourth collective agreement. Both OPSEU Local 677 (Unit 2) Members and NOSM's Board of Directors (Executive Committee) voted in favour of ratifying the new collective agreement on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The agreement covers four years and is in effect from May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2024. Negotiations were subject to Bill 124, which limits overall compensation increases to the agreement. Both parties also agreed to enhancements of pensio...

NOSM Board of Directors endorse School’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by approving guiding principles

Due to ongoing restrictions on mass gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its regular board meeting virtually on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. A special session was held to deepen the Board’s understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion by listening and learning from the experiences of colleagues. Dr. Lana Rose Potts, NOSM Charter Class alumna, was the keynote speaker while the Board also welcomed Dr. Kona Williams, Dr. Nicole Ranger, Dr. Naana Afua Jumah, and Angela Recollet to share insights that will help inform NOSM’s anti-racism strategy. “NOSM will confro...

NOSM Seeks Members for Francophone Reference Group

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is seeking two volunteer members to join its Francophone Reference Group (FRG): one Francophone NOSM resident from any community in Northern Ontario and one Francophone community member from Northwestern Ontario. The Francophone Reference Group is an integral part of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. It is a multi-disciplinary committee that advises the Dean on all pertinent initiatives relating to, and advocating for, Francophone health. Topics include Francophone research, education, and partnerships. The FRG provides substantive input into the School’s operations and prioritie...

NOSM launches new Indigenous Health Practitioner Pathway program; $195,000 donation from RBC Future Launch kick-starts important initiative

Today, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) launches a new Indigenous Health Practitioner Pathway program made possible through a generous donation from RBC Future Launch. Increasing the number of Indigenous health-care professionals in Northern Ontario is a key part in the provision of culturally appropriate care in the region. The Indigenous Health Practitioner Pathway program is the starting point for Indigenous youth. It will provide educational programming focused on health, life, and human sciences, both in the communities and in larger city centres in the region. The program will educate and introduce youth in the Nor...

NOSM Announces Dr. Edward Hirvi as Section Co-Chair, Family Medicine (West)

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has named Dr. Edward Hirvi as the new Section Co-Chair, Family Medicine, beginning December 1, 2020. Dr. Hirvi wears many hats in the field of medicine. He has been a faculty member with NOSM since January 2009, and holds the current rank of Associate Professor. Located in Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Hirvi is a Family Physician at the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. He is the co-chair of the Northern Ontario Academic Medicine Association, and President of the Physician Clinical Teachers’ Association (PCTA). Congratulations, Dr. Hirvi! A special thank you to co-chair Dr. Barb Zelek for your l...

Medical school announces new five-year strategic plan and officially launches The NOSM Challenge

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) today launched its 2021-2025 strategic plan titled The NOSM Challenge. The five-year plan sets out the School’s goals, aspirations and outcomes by 2025. Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM Dean, President and CEO, says, “The Challenge theme reflects the need to challenge ourselves, our communities, our ideas, and our commitment to social accountability in order to drive change and improve access to quality health care in Northern Ontario.” With an updated mission statement “to improve the health of Northern Ontarians by being socially accountable in its education and research programs and...