NOSM University says miigwetch, merci and thanks this National Volunteer Week

During National Volunteer Week 2022—this year from April 24 to 30—we say chi miigwetch, merci beaucoup, and heartfelt thanks to the many individuals who have taken on health advocacy and volunteer efforts across Northern Ontario, including NOSM University’s standardized patients, Board Members, Indigenous Reference Group, Francophone Reference Group, Local NOSM Groups, and many more.

This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week is “Volunteering is empathy in action,” which affirms the strong connection between volunteerism and empathy. According to Volunteer Canada, empathy helps people relate to others, builds awareness around different experiences, and connects people through common goals and aspirations. Volunteering helps us develop empathy, see the world through the eyes of others and connect people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. It can build our capacity to work collectively and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive society.

At a time when everyone is facing greater demand during health-care shortages and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NOSM University’s outstanding volunteers have contributed to: student-led advocacy projects, community vaccination efforts, CampMed, MD admissions interviewers, and peer-to-peer mental health and wellness programs. There are countless individuals, communities and organizations who continue to contribute to the growth and advancement of NOSM University by putting empathy into action.