Today is a history making one in northern Ontario as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) becomes NOSM University, Canada’s first independent medical university.
NOSM was established in 2002 to tackle the ongoing doctor shortage in northern Ontario.
Despite more than 780 MD graduates and 692 residents having completed NOSM programs, it is estimated that 300 physicians are still needed in northern Ontario to meet the immediate demand.
See: 'NOSM is our best vehicle to get doctors to train and stay in the north'
And: Docs tell Queen’s Park committee health-care situation in the north is ‘dire’
“Health care and health education and research have never been more important,” says Dr. Sarita Verma, President of NOSM University. “We all know how complex and fragile the health-care system is across northern Ontario. NOSM University will transform the system for the north and reach into underserved communities like never before.”
NOSM University will increase its medical degree enrolment by 47 per cent and residency positions by 68 per cent over the next five years.
“Becoming an independent medical university and through expansion, we have renewed momentum—and we’re going to use it,” says Dr. Verma, adding that NOSM University will educate more physicians and other health-care providers for the north and help them develop as leaders in their communities while expanding education and training programs to meet the societal needs;
