A medical school of the whole of Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) was a joint initiative of Lakehead University and Laurentian University with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and as such, has a novel composition.

The Senates of the two universities provided academic authority to NOSM. A Joint Senate Committee for the School was been established to receive academic proposals from the NOSM Academic Council. The Council provided the framework to ensure the involvement of the school’s faculty members in all aspects of academic governance and makes recommendations on academic policy matters to the Senates of the two host universities via the Joint Senate Committee. The Joint Senate Committee was a standing committee of both Lakehead University and Laurentian University Senates until dissolved in 2022.

Originally the board consisted of 35 members, which after an extensive review (2012) was reduced to 19 Directors (three Ex-Officio and 16 Directors) who reflect the geographic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of Northern Ontario. Dr. Fred Gilbert, President of Lakehead University, was the inaugural Chair of the Board and Dr. Judith Woodsworth, President of Laurentian University, was the inaugural Vice Chair.

At the time the Dean, as an Academic Dean, was accountable for NOSM academic activities through the NOSM Academic Council and the Joint Senate Committee for NOSM to the two University Senates. The Dean, as CEO of the NOSM Corporation, was accountable to the Board of Directors for the organization and management of the School.

Management of the organization is the responsibility of the School’s Executive Group. The Executive Group includes Associate Deans, who are responsible for academic programs.