Read The Full President’s Report
In this report, we devote the conversation to the ways in which NOSM University is addressing health equity. As defined by the World Health Organisation, “health equity is achieved when everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being.”[1] To achieve health equity we must eradicate unfair, preventable and treatable health differences between people, groups and regions. NOSM University—through its social accountability mandate—is committed to achieving health equity for Northern Ontario.
At the core of NOSM University is a conviction that everyone, regardless of circumstance or geography, deserves the dignity of fair access to health-care practitioners who are culturally competent, understand the realities of living in the rural and remote North, and lead with compassion and integrity. We know that effective and fair health promotion comes down to access, equity, community engagement, and human rights.
With the establishment of its Centre for Social Accountability in 2021, NOSM University is reaching beyond its founding commitment to being socially accountable in education and research programs and is quickly earning a reputation as a leader in research, community engagement, social justice and health equity.
Most recently, NOSM University has attracted the support of forward-thinking philanthropists James and Louise Temerty, founders of the Temerty Foundation. Their generous $10 million gift will transform the future of medical education. In recognition, our flagship Centre for Social Accountability will be renamed the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity.
The Centre will be named in honour of Dr. Gilles Arcand, the late brother of Louise Temerty. Dr. Arcand was a physician with a deeply-held belief in the importance of health equity, rural medicine, and serving marginalized communities—values reflected by the Centre. Dr. Arcand practised medicine in northern Quebec prior to his death in 1975.
Health equity is the cornerstone of our work, and this report highlights some of our progress. In addition to our feature piece on the Temerty Foundation’s investment, you will read about NOSM University’s recognition of Indigenous learners, learner advocacy for Black patient health equity, outstanding efforts to recruit physicians to Northern communities, and how we are working to improve experiences for Francophone medical learners and patients.
I am grateful to the entire NOSM University team who works tirelessly to achieve our mission of improving health equity in Northern Ontario. I hope that this report inspires you and leaves you invigorated to continue in our mission.
Miigwetch, thank you, marsi, merci,
Dr. Sarita Verma
President, Vice Chancellor, Dean and CEO
NOSM University
[1] “Health Equity.” The World Health Organisation, https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-equity#tab=tab_1. Accessed August 31, 2023.
To learn more about the outstanding research taking place at the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity, read the 2022-2023 Annual Report.
President’s Performance Goals
• Complete the fourth year of Strategic Plan: Metrics on all 5 Strategic Directions.
• Establish financial sustainability and resolve base budget deficit.
• Complete the $50 million “The Future Will See You Now” fundraising strategy.
• Resolve issues regarding campuses at Laurentian and Lakehead Universities.
• Complete bargaining of OPSEU Collective Agreement with Unit 1.
