Developing Faculty to Lead Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North

On January 20-21, 2012, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its first annual faculty development conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Entitled ” Northern Constellations,”the conference was designed by three planning committees to include an extensive program of workshops and interactive sessions aimed at addressing the professional development needs of NOSM faculty members.

Conference learning objectives included comparing and contrasting current practices at NOSM and continuing to move towards excellence; reviewing best practices of medical education, academic leadership, and scholarship; and, providing recommended changes in medical education, leadership, and scholarship practices at NOSM.

NOSM is nationally and internationally recognized for its leadership in distributed community-engaged medical education and health research. NOSM’s faculty members across Northern Ontario are critical to educating high-quality physicians and health professionals with the leadership, knowledge and skills to practice in Northern Ontario and beyond.

“Faculty development promotes lifelong learning and enhances clinical and teaching competencies, and the overall performance of health-care professionals and faculty. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is pleased to offer learning opportunities that enhance patient-centered care and supports health professional teaching and learning,” said Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean.

NOSM has more than 1,000 stipendiary faculty members that practice medicine in over 70 communities across Northern Ontario. The Northern ConstellationsFaculty Development Conference is an opportunity for NOSM faculty members to develop and enhance the skills necessary to teach medical learners in clinical settings.