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Area winners in NOSM University Achievement Celebration

Medical Educator Award was Dr. Richard Painter of North Bay 
20220401 NOSM University Building in Sudbury
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury.

NOSM University has announced the accomplishments of faculty, preceptors, learners, alumni, and staff at the second-annual NOSM University Achievement Celebration, held on Friday, May 3.

There are several winners from the BayToday coverage area.

The awards ceremony, part of the annual Northern Constellations and Connections faculty development conference, drew health-care professionals from across Northern Ontario. The ceremony recognized 19 preceptors, 11 faculty, five learners, two staff, two alumni, and one honorary alumnus who have each demonstrated exemplary service and commitment to health care, medical education, and research in Northern Ontario.

Nominations were made by members of the NOSM University and Northern Ontario communities.  

New this year, the Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University recognized recipients who have contributed significantly to the betterment of the NOSM University community. 

In addition, NOSM University celebrated this year’s promotions, which are at the full and associate professor and professor emeritus levels. Dr. Bill McCready, a longtime leader at NOSM University who was recognized as Professor Emeritus, delivered the Last Lecture “Lessons Learned and the Role of Serendipity: How Fate Shaped a Long Career.” 

“NOSM University—the first and only medical university in Canada—has an incredible community of people behind it. We are so proud to recognize their extraordinary accomplishments,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. 

NOSM University congratulates the award-winners and the faculty who have received promotions. For the full agenda, please click here.

Faculty awards 

  • Physician Clinical Teachers’ Association Leadership Award: Dr. Sarah McIsaac, Greater Sudbury 
  • Academic Leader Award: Dr. Rony Atoui, Greater Sudbury 
  • Clinical Scholar Award: Dr. Ioannis Voutsadakis, Sault Ste. Marie 
  • Clinical Teacher Award: Dr. Amber Dudar, Thunder Bay 
  • Community Champion Award: Denise Taylor, Thunder Bay 
  • Faculty Mentorship: Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Huntsville 
  • Medical Educator Award: Dr. Richard Painter, North Bay 
  • Scholar Award: Dr. Sujeenthar Tharmalingam, Greater Sudbury 

Learner awards 

  • Learner Peer Teaching: Dr. Michael Christie, Thunder Bay 
  • Learner Scholarly Activity: Arjav Gupta, Thunder Bay 
  • Learner Advocate/Leader: Ashley Wallace, Thunder Bay 
  • Learner-Nominated Teacher Award: Dr. Kiersten Parr, Timmins

Alumni awards 

  • Rising Star Award: Dr. Kyle Harper, Timmins
  • Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award: Dr. Kim Varty, Thunder Bay 
  • Honourary Alumni Award: Chuck Schmitt (posthumously), Dryden  

The inaugural Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership at NOSM University  

  • Faculty Northeast: Dr. David MacLean, Greater Sudbury 
  • Faculty Northwest: Dr. Kim Varty, Thunder Bay 
  • Staff Northeast: Dr. Kristy Côté, Greater Sudbury 
  • Staff Northwest: Marie Parkkari, Thunder Bay 
  • Learner Northeast: Dr. Mélanie-Rose Frappier, North Bay 
  • Learner Northwest: Taylor Murie, Thunder Bay 

Health Sciences Preceptor Awards 

  • Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Occupational Therapy: Linda Smith, Greater Sudbury 
  • Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Physiotherapy: Marie-Josée Dagenais, North Bay 
  • Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Sally Guillemette, Timmins 
  • Commitment to Clinical Education Award – Dietetics: Rachel Palahnuk, Sault Ste. Marie 
  • Innovative Preceptor Award – Occupational Therapy: Sarah-Jane Mason, Huntsville 
  • Innovative Preceptor Award – Physiotherapy: Fraser Stephenson, Sioux Lookout 
  • Innovative Preceptor Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Carrie Linklater, North Bay 
  • Innovative Preceptor Award – Dietetics: Chantal Bélanger, Greater Sudbury 
  • Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Occupational Therapy: Mavia DeNoble, Greater Sudbury 
  • Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Physiotherapy: Jill Whitwam, Temiskaming Shores 
  • Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Brenda Liddle, Huntsville 
  • Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Allana Gowan, Huntsville 
  • Interprofessional Collaborator Award – Dietetics: Lela Hopper, Greater Sudbury 
  • Academic Excellence Award – Physiotherapy: Cheryl Alderdice, North Bay 
  • Academic Excellence Award – Dietetics: Bridget King, Greater Sudbury 
  • Northern Ambassador Award – Occupational Therapy: Monique Jardine, North Bay 
  • Northern Ambassador Award – Physiotherapy: Derek Debassige, M’Chigeeng First Nation 
  • Northern Ambassador Award – Speech-Language Pathology: Rachel Pessah, Timmins 
  • Northern Ambassador Award – Dietetics: Kelsey McGinn, Kirkland Lake