2007 Northern Health Research Conference Second Annual Conference

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its second annual Northern Health Research (NHR) Conference in Sault Ste. Marie on June 1 and 2, 2007. Hosted by Algoma University College, the conference explored research activities occurring within Northern Ontario, and highlighted current projects led by health-care professionals, students, residents, and community-based researchers.

Dr. Jeff Reading, Scientific Director of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health, was the keynote speaker of the conference, and spoke to participants about the need to promote health through research that is in accordance with Aboriginal values and traditions.

More than 150 delegates from across Northern Ontario and other provinces in Canada attended the 2007 conference, with many health professionals and researchers from the Sault Ste. Marie area participating.

Highlights

Hosted by Algoma University College in Sault Ste. Marie, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s (NOSM) second annual Northern Health Research (NHR) Conference explored research activities occurring within Northern Ontario, and highlighted current projects led by health-care professionals, students, residents, and community-based researchers.
Buses traveling from both Sudbury and Thunder Bay brought many presenters and delegates to Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday late afternoon, where they joined other attendees at a welcome barbecue at Algoma University College’s Speak Easy Lounge. The barbecue was opened with an Aboriginal welcome and blessing ceremony, led by Elder Barbara Nolan.
On the morning of June 1, 2007, Algoma University College Dean, Arthur Perlini, NOSM Founding Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, and NOSM Associate Dean, Research, Dr. Greg Ross were joined by MP, Tony Martin, MPP David Orazietti, and City of Sault Ste. Marie Councillor Steven Butland to officially open the two-day event.
Keynote speaker Dr. Jeff Reading, Scientific Director of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Institute of Aboriginal People’s Health, delivered a presentation titled The Quest to Improve Aboriginal Health: Or How to Indigenize the Academy, and spoke about the need to promote health through research that is in accordance with Aboriginal values and traditions.
A Poster Session for Youth provided a group of 24 Grade 12 students from six local high schools with the opportunity to learn about health research, view research posters, and speak to presenters. In addition, the youth were provided with information about careers in health research and the NOSM MD program.
A dinner and social evening for conference attendees was held at the Algoma Art Gallery, and was sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Physician Recruitment and Retention Program.
Eighty oral and poster presentations were featured at the Conference. Topics covered a wide range of issues, and included titles such as Northern Ontario eHealth Information and Communication Technology Project; Welcome to rural Canada doc! How long will you be staying?; The health and status needs of Aboriginal peoples receiving home care in Ontario; and, Kids’ Care: Collaborating in Canada and Throughout Northern Ontario.
More than 150 delegates from across Northern Ontario and other provinces in Canada attended the Conference.