Roger Strasser Reappointed as Dean of NOSM Until 2019

Dr. Roger Strasser, Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, has been reappointed for a non-renewable five-year term as Dean beginning on July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2019.

Dr. Strasser’s renewal was recommended by a 14 member Review Committee composed of members nominated by the Boards of NOSM, Laurentian University and Lakehead University, the Senates of Laurentian University and Lakehead University, NOSM’s Academic Council, and NOSM’s Executive Group.

The recommendation to renew Dr. Strasser for an additional five-year term was approved by the Boards of NOSM, Laurentian University and Lakehead University.

Since taking up the position as NOSM’s Founding Dean in September 2002, Dr. Roger Strasser has led the development of an innovative model of distributed, community-engaged medical education and research that draws on the commitment, expertise, and generosity of people in communities across the North. Training and graduating physicians and health professionals with a particular understanding of, and affinity for, people in Northern, rural, and remote settings is a key component of the School’s mandate to be socially accountable to the cultural diversity of the region it serves.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Roger Strasser on his reappointment as Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” said Dominic Giroux, Chair of NOSM’s Board of Directors and President of Laurentian University. “In just eight years, NOSM has grown from being Canada’s newest medical school to a national and international leader in innovative health professional education. As NOSM moves into the latter part of this decade under Dr. Strasser’s leadership, we look forward to the development of the future strategic directions for the School, as well as exciting momentum in research and fundraising. This will require the active engagement of our internal School community, as well as of communities from across Northern Ontario.”

“It has been very rewarding to witness the difference NOSM is making to the health of people and communities across Northern Ontario,” said Dr. Brian Stevenson, Vice-Chair of NOSM’s Board of Directors and President of Lakehead University. “I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Roger Strasser on his reappointment, and look forward to the continued success of NOSM under his leadership.” Dr. Roger Strasser is honoured and humbled to continue his post at NOSM.   “It has been simply amazing to be part of something as special as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” he said.  “What is most rewarding is witnessing the collaboration and support of so many individuals and organizations across the North, who have all come together to make NOSM a dream come true.  I am committed to advancing the important contributions NOSM and the brilliant staff, faculty, and learners are making in my next and final term at the School.”

Dr. Roger Strasser came to Canada from Australia where he was Professor of Rural Health for Monash University and Head of the Monash University School of Rural Health in, and around, Melbourne. Dr. Strasser has been awarded a number of prestigious awards including: Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners in recognition of his world leadership in the field of rural health; the Louis Ariotti Award for excellence and innovation in rural and remote health in Australia; Fellow of Wonca in recognition of his outstanding service to Wonca and family medicine around the world; the inaugural Small, Rural and Northern Award of Excellence by the Ontario Hospital Association; and, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine Life Fellowship Award for outstanding and meritorious service to Rural and Remote Medicine in Australia. In 2011, Dr. Strasser was honoured with the prestigious Order of Australia for service to medicine, through improving the health care of people living in rural and remote communities in developed and developing nations as an educator, researcher, and practitioner.