A national collaborative leadership education partnership between the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM),Université Laval and Queen’s University,has received $2.7 million over three years from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC).  In addition to the substantial support from the five University partners and in-kind contributions of UBC andUniversité Laval, this grant has facilitated international recognition of innovation in health leadership program development across Canada and internationally.

The Canadian Interprofessional Health Leadership Collaborative (CIHLC) was chosen by the U.S. Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) Board on Global Health as one of four innovation collaborative projects from around the world. The CIHLC will grow and pilot “leadership mobilization” ideas, outlined in the Lancet Commission Report,Health Professionals for a New Century: Transforming Education to Strengthen Health Systems in an Interdependent World . CIHLC’s vision is collaborative leadership for health system change to globally transform education and health.

In the 21st century, health systems have become so complex that they cannot be managed effectively by a few traditional leaders. Therefore, the CIHLC will develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate an evidence-based and commercially viable collaborative leadership education program. Targeted at emerging leaders in health care, the program will define and confer the competencies required to lead systems change and confront complex health challenges.

The leads for the five-university collaborative include:

• Sarita Verma , Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Maria Tassone , Director, Centre for Interprofessional Education Office, University of Toronto
• David Marsh , Associate Dean, Community Engagement, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• Sue Berry , Executive Director, Integrated Clinical Learning, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• Margo Paterson , Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University
• Lesley Bainbridge , Director, Interprofessional Education, Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia
• Emmanuelle Careau ,Professor, Rehabilitation  Department, Université Laval

“This funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care marks an important investment in health human resources. It will support our emerging leaders in acquiring new skills that prepare them to work with communities on very complex health and social situations. This program calls for a new approach to leadership that incorporates the strategic processes of community engagement,” said Sue Berry, NOSM’s Executive Director of Integrated Clinical Learning and CIHLC Co-Lead.

“The Northern Ontario School of Medicine looks forward to being part of this collaborative to encourage a positive revolution in the provision of equally-accessible health care. Educating leaders who can face the complexities of the current system is essential to improving the ever-evolving landscape of public health care provision,” added Dr. David Marsh, NOSM’s Associate Dean of Community Engagement and CIHLC Co-Lead.

On Friday, May 10, 2013, NOSM faculty and learners were presented with awards of excellence from the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO). Awards from the Excellence in Clinical Teaching, Medical Student Citizenship, and Resident Teacher of the Year categories were presented to NOSM teachers, residents and medical learners to recognize the essential role that high-quality clinical teachers play in training new physicians.

PAIRO’s Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Michael Kirlew, NOSM Assistant Professor in Family Medicine and rural physician in Sioux Lookout. Residents from across the province submitted nominations for the PAIRO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. Among the nominations for this prestigious award were many other NOSM faculty members, including Dr. Chris Kupsh (NOSM Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine), Dr. Lawrie Oliphant (NOSM Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine, Respirology) and Dr. John Kargbo (Assistant Professor in Family Medicine).

Dr. Lindsey Churchley, a NOSM second-year resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology, was awarded the PAIRO Resident Teaching Award. This award honours one resident from each university who provides outstanding clinical teaching experiences to junior housestaff and clinical clerks.

The Medical Student Citizenship Award was presented to third-year NOSM MD learner Derek Bos. PAIRO presents this award to one medical student from each university who has made significant contributions to curriculum development, student well-being, faculty relationships or community involvement.

In addition to these award recipients, NOSM staff member Marie Parkkari, Family Medicine Coordinator, was nominated for the Lois H. Ross Resident Advocate Award.

“I extend my sincerest congratulations to all NOSM PAIRO award winners and nominees,” says Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean. “The quality and quantity of nominations at this year’s PAIRO awards once again demonstrates NOSM’s passion for excellence in medical education. I am extremely pleased that NOSM staff, faculty and learners are being recognized at the provincial level for their dedication to Innovative education and research for a healthier North .” EndFragment–>

Members Tour La Verendrye Hospital and Health Centre, Participate in Learning Sessions, and Interact with Community Members 

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its annual Board of Directors spring face-to-face meeting in Fort Frances, Ontario from May 9 to May 10, 2013.

On the first morning together, NOSM Board members enjoyed a tour of the La Verendrye Hospital and Health Centre, where every year NOSM learners undertake training as part of the School’s distinctive distributed, community-engaged learning and research model. Coordinated by Physician Recruiter Todd Hamilton, members were able to see and learn about the facility which offers chronic and acute care, including obstetrics, medical/surgical, pediatrics, and intensive care, to the citizens of Fort Frances and surrounding area.

In the evening, NOSM Board members went to the Little Beaver Cultural Centre for dinner to interact with NOSM clinical faculty members, staff and learners, and local community members. Councillor Andrew Hallikas brought greetings on behalf of the Town of Fort Frances to all attendees, thanking NOSM’s Board for engaging with Fort Frances and other communities across Northern Ontario, and for the work the School is doing to address health professional shortages across the North.

During the two-day meeting, Board members participated in several presentations and interactive sessions on the topics of strategic planning, governance, ambassadorship, and research. Board members also heard a first-hand explanation of the process of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) from Liane Villano, MD Candidate, Class of 2013, and NOSM Board member. CaRMS is an electronic service which matches Canadian MD graduates with residency programs, based on the ranked preferences of each graduate and medical school.

Nearly 50% of this year’s graduating class has chosen to complete training in residency programs offered by NOSM. Sixty-five percent have matched to family medicine (predominantly rural medicine) residency programs.

After an introduction by Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services Home and Community Care Program Joanne Ogden, Occupational Therapy learners Paula Voigt and Lauren Wou spoke to the Board about their rewarding experiences training in the Fort Frances area, where, before last year, occupational therapy education was not available.

At the formal Board meeting on the final day of face-to-face meeting, the Directors received reports from Board Committees, including the Finance and Audit, Quality Monitoring, Governance, and Advancement Committees. The Directors also received reports from Academic Council and the School’s Aboriginal and Francophone Reference Groups.

The Directors received a Financial Report for the 11-month period ending March 31, 2013 from the Finance and Audit Committee. The Board approved a recommendation from the Finance and Audit Committee that tuition fees for each of the next four academic years be increased consistent with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities’ Tuition Framework guidelines. NOSM’s tuition fees remain the lowest among medical schools in Ontario.

In addition, the Board approved the proposed balanced budget of $41.75 million for the fiscal year May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014, as presented.

The Board approved the recommendation by the Executive Committee to appoint Dr. Joel Lanphear Professor Emeritus in recognition of his long and distinguished service in academic medical education and to NOSM.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled to occur on September 18, 2013.

For a complete list of Board members, please visit our website at www.nosm.ca.

Contact:

news@nosm.ca