With the comment that there is no better medical training ground than Northern Ontario, the president of Northern Ontario's School of Medicine (NOSM) has announced two medical seats specifically earmarked for the Canadian Armed Forces. The two seats are subsidized by the armed forces.
“By partnering with the Department of National Defense we will prepare Canadian military physicians to treat underserviced and remote communities across Canada and around the world,” said Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM Dean, President and CEO in a statement this week. “It is an honour to help prepare Canadian military physicians with this level of hands-on training. There truly is no better training ground than Northern Ontario.”
She said the military allocation will mean an additional two spaces to NOSM's normal intake. For each of the last five years, that intake has been 64 students.
“NOSM has been accepting military candidates to the MD program for several years. The difference now is that we are able to increase opportunity to get into NOSM by adding two additional dedicated spots for qualified military applicants,” Verma explained.
Applicants to the new stream must be Regular Force Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and must meet all of NOSM’s general application requirements, said the statement from NOSM.
“Canadian Forces Health Services Group is pleased to collaborate with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine,” said Major Tina Lipcsey, staff officer attraction, Canadian Forces Health Services Group.
She said the program lends confidence to members of the forces in that highly qualified medical professionals are available when they're needed.
“In order for soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen to be willing to put themselves in harms’ way, they need to feel confident that, if injured at home during training or overseas on operations, there will be highly qualified Medical Officers readily available to provide them with the urgent medical care they need,” said Major Lipcsey.
“Since the Canadian Armed Forces does not have its own medical school, it relies on partnerships with civilian educational institutions like NOSM to produce highly educated and skilled physicians.”
Those seeking more information on the program can visit the NOSM website, visit nosm.ca/mmtp or email [email protected].
