Northern Routes

Winter is here with purpose.

A truly powerful purpose statement is one that achieves two objectives: it must clearly articulate strategic goals and it must motivate the workforce. These objectives are equally important, both individually and synergistically. That is to say, when we understand and embrace our organization’s purpose, we’re inspired to do work that not only is good, but great. The NOSM mission is to improve the health of Northern Ontarians by being socially accountable in our education and research programs and advocating for health equity. This vision is the inspiration and motivation for the School’s new initiatives, including founding NOS...

The ‘Scopes’ of Academic Leadership

Microscope, Telescope, Stethoscope, Periscope and Kaleidoscope "The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~Amanda Gorman Watching Amanda Gorman’s delivery of The Hill We Climb during the historical American inauguration last week was awe inspiring. Hearing her say “the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice” had me thinking again about social justice. In my last blog I stressed the four essential principles of social justice: human rights, access, participation, and equity. The School recently ask...

2021: A year dedicated to climate and social justice

So far, 2021 has started out as a political hot potato, both for our American neighbours and our own rising number of COVID-19 cases across Ontario. Yet, here in Northern Ontario, with vaccinations on the horizon, this new year brings some promise of the end (but not the eradication) of COVID-19 as a pandemic. It is the anticipation of in-person reconnection with loved ones, and hopefully, the resumption of academic and business work. We are taking stock and planning new courses of action to better ourselves and to better serve our communities. This year our resolution might be to re-evaluate the meaning of ‘normal’ and whether we s...