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Northern Ontario School of Medicine Press Release - Feb 14, 2006

28 Aboriginal Health Leaders From Across Northern Ontario Gather at Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)

For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, February 14, 2006 -- Aboriginal health leaders from the three major treaty organizations and health access centres of Northern Ontario will be arriving at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's East and West campuses at Laurentian and Lakehead Universities respectively, later this afternoon for a two-day NOSM orientation session.  The leaders will travel to NOSM from the 28 communities that have been selected as medical student teaching sites.  Each community will host two NOSM students for a four-week placement starting in April, 2006 where the students will learn first-hand about disease, illness, preventative care, healing and health in a rural, remote environment.

NOSM's Director of Undergraduate Medical Education Programs, Marie Matte explained the importance of this part of the NOSM curriculum which provides a hands-on approach to medical education.  "These community placements are the first of many for first year NOSM students.  It is important that we have the input of the community leaders in the development of this unique component of the NOSM curriculum."

Students will spend between 10-12 hours per week in clinical settings such as urgent care, after hours clinics, youth and school programs, substance abuse centres, outpatient settings with RNs, MDs and visiting health care professionals.  Not only will students learn the clinical skills required for the curriculum, they will also examine the roles of all health care providers in rural/remote settings.   During the placements, students will also be required to continue their classroom learning through scheduled sessions that will be delivered through videoconferencing technology.

Orpah McKenzie, NOSM's Director of Aboriginal Affairs noted that the placements will have a large focus on culture.  Students will be expected to spend up to 12 hours per week in community-based, culturally-focused experiences ranging from feasts to hunting and fishing.  "It is important that NOSM graduates are aware of the North's cultural diversity and vibrancy.  By immersing NOSM students in remote, rural Aboriginal communities, they will learn integral communications skills for practicing medicine in the North."

While at NOSM, the Aboriginal leaders will become more familiar with NOSM's curriculum and how it applies to their community.  They will end their orientation session with a congratulatory luncheon on Thursday, where each of the 28 communities will be formally recognized as NOSM Teaching Sites.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine. The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario. By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

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For more information, or to arrange for an interview, please contact:

Tracie Smith
NOSM West Campus
807-766-7314 or 807-624-7862
Tracie.Smith@normed.ca  

or      Joey McColeman
NOSM East Campus
705-662-7275
Joey.McColeman@normed.ca

Communications Unit
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
West Campus
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Rd.
Thunder Bay ON  P7B 5E1
Tel: 807-766-7300
Fax: 807-766-7370

East Campus
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury ON  P3E 2C6
Tel: 705-675-4883
Fax: 705-675-4858
E-mail: NormedNews@NorMed.ca