NOSM Learners to Engage with Thunder Bay Secondary Schools to Promote Health Care Related Careers

This spring, medical students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) will begin an outreach program through the Ontario Medical Student Association (OMSA), the student section of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). The program, called Altitude: Healthcare Mentoring, is aimed at encouraging students in their final year of secondary school to seriously consider a career in the field of health care.

“This program gives us the opportunity to showcase to youth in our community that we were once in their shoes, and that their dream to become medical professionals is obtainable,” explained Hilary Bohler, one member of the five-person Thunder Bay Altitude Team Outreach. “It is an amazing experience to go into a local secondary school and talk to young, passionate students about what it takes to have a career as a doctor, nurse, or physical therapist.” Other team members, all of whom attended secondary school in Thunder Bay, include Kayla Berst, Valerie Nicholls, Stacey Tokar, and Paul Benvenuto.

Secondary schools that will be visited this year include: Hammarskjold High School, Superior Collegiate & Vocational Institute, Westgate Collegiate & Vocational Institute, Sir Winston Churchill Collegiate & Vocational Institute, École secondaire catholique de La Vérendrye, St. Patrick High School, and, St. Ignatius High School.

NOSM Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, applauded the efforts undertaken by NOSM’s medical students for embarking upon this important initiative. “By taking the time to speak to secondary students in the community of Thunder Bay, our learners highlight their incredible sense of commitment to improving the health of people in Northern Ontario. It speaks to their willingness to give back, and the kind of physicians they will be in the future.”

The Thunder Bay Altitude Team Outreach team is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications are due June 1, 2012, and students interested in a career in health care who wish to be considered are encouraged to apply by contacting the Thunder Bay Altitude Outreach Team by email atoutreach@thunderbay.altitudementoring.ca .

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Kokanie
Communications Officer
(807) 766-7314
lisa.kokanie@nosm.ca