It was presented earlier this month, and it is the 10th time that NOSM has been recognized with this award.
The award is presented each year, said a NOSM news release, to the medical school in Canada that encourages students to pursue further training in rural medicine.
It is awarded to the MD program that has matched the most graduates to rural family medicine programs as reported by the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) process.
NOSM reported that based on CaRMS data for 2020, 78 per cent of NOSM’s graduating MD class was matched to a rural family medicine residency program.
The award was accepted on behalf of NOSM by Dr. Sarah Newbery, assistant dean of Physician Workforce Strategy at NOSM, during the SRPC’s recent 28th Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Course.
“This award is special to NOSM because rural medical education plays a huge part in our strategy to address the health disparities of our region,” said Newbery.
“NOSM has been a success and has obviously had an impact in Northern Ontario but we are facing an unpredictable and fragile Northern physician workforce. Through new pathways, including the Rural Generalist Pathway, we are working to bridge the significant gaps that exist.”
In addition, several NOSM faculty members — Drs. Roy Kirkpartrick, Stephen Viherjoki and Barb Zelek — were honoured with individual awards.
Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, NOSM section chair of surgery and a general surgeon in Huntsville, Ontario, received the Rural Specialist Merit Award. Presented to a specialist living and working in rural Canada, this award recognizes the demonstrated long-term commitment to serving one’s community.
Dr. Stephen Viherjoki, an assistant professor at NOSM and a family physician practising in Dryden, Ont., received a Rural Service Award in recognition of his service to a rural Canadian community for 10 or more years.
Dr. Barb Zelek, NOSM Clinical Sciences Division Head and family physician practising in Marathon, Ontario, received the Rural Mentorship Award. This award is presented to a rural physician that demonstrates outstanding commitment to mentoring and supporting future rural physicians, and/or rural physicians already in practice.
Dr. William McCready, NOSM's Special Advisor and Senior Associate Dean, said he was pleased with the recognition.
“I’m proud and humbled by the dedication of our faculty. NOSM is fortunate to have brilliant and compassionate people who take on leadership roles to serve the health needs of Northern Ontario,” said McCready.
