Indigenous Stories

NOSM Announces New Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion

Dr. Joseph LeBlanc has been appointed the School’s inaugural Associate Dean, Equity and Inclusion, beginning July 1, 2020 for a five-year term. Dr. LeBlanc has been NOSM’s Director, Indigenous Affairs since October 15, 2018. Dr. LeBlanc is a life-long Northern Ontarian and member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Before joining the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, he worked for a diverse range of organizations, including academic institutions, Indigenous organizations, charities, and non-profits. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Forest Conservation, an Environmental Management Certificate, and a PhD in ...

Alumni advice for avoiding burnout

Dr. Rebekah Neckoway, NOSM alumna (MD 2013), is no stranger to both the challenges and rewards of working in the North. Based in Sioux Lookout for work, she spends her time travelling to Northern fly-in communities where she is often one of the only physicians providing care. She’s practiced as far north as Fort Severn on the Hudson Bay coast. It’s a grueling schedule with a lot of travel, but Dr. Neckoway says the keys to achieving balance in her life are maintaining relationships and taking scheduled breaks. “I think the key to decompressing is chatting things through with people you trust,” she explains. “Sometimes it ...

NOSM celebrates 15 years working with Local Community Coordinators

First-year medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) spend four weeks in an Indigenous community as part of their Integrated Community Experience (ICE). Since 2006, NOSM has relied on Local Community Coordinators (LCC) to guide and support medical students while they are there. The LCC role is key to the success of the community placement experience. This year will be the exception. Due to COVID-19 alternative learning plans are being considered to deliver this important and unique experience to NOSM students. “For many students, it is a transformative experience,” says Dr. Lorrilee McGregor, NOSM Assistan...