NORTHERN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NORTHERN

PASSAGESVOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2

REHABILITATION SCIENCES CREATES NEW PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITY

NEW RESIDENCY STREAM TRAINS DOCTORS IN EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND INTO THE KITCHEN Jennifer Turcotte-Russak with David Peterson, Manager of NORTHERN Health Services at Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre and Peter Jordan, Physiotherapist and Clinic Owner at the Lakehead University Sports Medicine Clinic at PASSAGES the Anishnawbe-Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre in . Newsletter of the School of Medicine

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Laurentian University 935 Ramsey Lake Rd. Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6 Tel: +1-705-675-4883 Fax: +1-705-675-4858

Northern Ontario School of Medicine Lakehead University DEFINING THEIR OWN ROLE: 955 Oliver Rd. Thunder Bay, ON REHABILITATION SCIENCES CREATES P7B 5E1 Tel: +1-807-766-7300 NEW PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITY Fax: +1-807-766-7370 The Rehabilitation Sciences Unit at the The placement, which welcomed its first Northern Passages Northern Ontario School of Medicine has students in June 2018, will focus on needs is published bi-annually. created a new placement opportunity for assessment with AMAHAC stakeholders. The occupational therapy and physiotherapy role will focus on Indigenous health, and © Copyright 2018 Northern Ontario School of Medicine. students from the Northern Studies Stream at students will need to consider the social the Anishnawbe-Mushkiki Aboriginal Health determinants of health affecting First Nation Access Centre (AMAHAC) in Thunder Bay. peoples in the North when considering how FEEDBACK they can best address the needs of their To update your mailing preferences for Northern Passages, The new initiative is a collaboration between clients. Learners will also identify relevant or to suggest stories that you AMAHAC, NOSM, the Lakehead University resources and evidence to support the would you like to read about Sports Medicine Clinic and the School of proposed roles and approaches to meet these your medical school, kindly email Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. stated needs. [email protected].

Occupational therapy and physiotherapy “Occupational therapy and physiotherapy facebook.com/thenosm students from McMaster will be placed at are both very broad areas of practice,” says AMAHAC in Thunder Bay in a role-emerging Turcotte-Russak. “This placement will offer @thenosm format, meaning students will have the students a unique, exciting and challenging opportunity to develop their respective roles opportunity to—with assistance from on and nosm.ca within the organization, says Jennifer Turcotte- off-site preceptors—determine how their @thenosm Russak, Manager of Community Engagement role can best reflect the current needs and and Integrated Clinical Learning at NOSM. priorities of clients and the health team that Cover photo:-David Peterson at the Anishnawbe- serves them.” Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Center in Thunder Bay The placement opportunity will also occupational therapy students from and evidence obtained from the pilot promote collaboration between the McMaster have participated in academic placement to inform the next stages of the existing AMAHAC team and the learners and clinical education in Northern Ontario. initiative, which will focus on broadening in order to build working relationships These opportunities focus specifically on the number of partnerships across and capacity, according to Turcotte- advancing clinical understanding and skill Northern Ontario. Russak. “A key part of this placement is development related to Indigenous health promoting interprofessional approaches and northern practice, including remote Other clinical stakeholders will also to care, and improving knowledge about and rural environments. be invited to join the pilot placement the role occupational therapists and planning committee in order to facilitate physiotherapists can play in a team setting “This strategy aligns with many of expansion of these opportunities. like that of the Anishnawbe-Mushkiki the shared key priorities of both the Aboriginal Health Access Centre,” she says. Northern Ontario School of Medicine and “We’re excited not just about this pilot McMaster including social accountability, project, but also about the opportunity The Northern Studies Stream is a tripartite interprofessionalism and Indigenous to further develop this initiative, which agreement between NOSM, McMaster health,” says Turcotte-Russak. “The new ultimately will help to provide increased University and the Ministry of Health and placement at AMAHAC is another step access to rehabilitation services here in the Long-Term Care. The agreement has been forward in working towards those North, specifically for Indigenous people,” in existence since 1989, predating the priorities.” says Turcotte-Russak. founding of NOSM by 16 years. Stakeholders at AMAHAC, the Northern Through the Northern Studies Stream, Studies Stream and in the Rehabilitation hundreds of physiotherapy and Sciences at NOSM will use the knowledge

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 | NORTHERN PASSAGES 3 Dr. Claudette Chase, Site Director for the Remote First Nation Family Medicine Residency stream, and Dr. Deepak Murthy, the first resident accepted to the program stream. NEW RESIDENCY STREAM TRAINS DOCTORS IN EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine , Matawa First Dr. Claudette Chase, Site Director for the Remote First Nation Nations Management and Eabametoong First Nation signed an Family Medicine Residency stream, is present during the second agreement in 2016 to create a new Remote First Nations Family interview, but does not have a say in the final decision about Medicine Residency stream. which resident will be accepted into the stream.

The new stream allows medical school graduates to complete “Our goal for this residency stream is to produce culturally their Family Medicine residency in a remote First Nation competent residents who can deliver culturally safe care in a community in Northern Ontario. It also includes a return of First Nations community,” says Dr. Chase. “The partnership is service commitment to serve in Eabametoong or another not in name only. Power is actually being shared, and that is Matawa community for four years following the completion of different from most other things I’ve ever been involved in.” the residency. Molly Boyce, Family Medicine Community Residency Liaison The residency stream began as a pilot in December 2016 with Coordinator in Eabametoong First Nation, says she is excited the selection of the first resident, Dr. Deepak Murthy who about the community’s involvement in both the selection began in July 2017. Two more residents are starting this July. process and the curriculum design. “With this new program, we make that choice on who we’re going to allow to come into The application process for prospective residents is one the community and who’s allowed to assist us in our health hallmark of community direction to this new stream. care,” she says. “Our traditional medicines and way of life were Candidates participate in two rounds of interviews: the first put down for so many years, and it’s so exciting that there is with a selection panel that includes family medicine faculty recognition that there is a need for our traditional medicine, and a resident representative from NOSM, as well as members and the choice that this presents for us now as Native people.” of the First Nation community, to ensure the candidates meet the benchmark requirements for a family medicine resident in Murthy came to Canada approximately five years ago. He Canada; and a second with a selection panel that is made up says he has worked in rural and remote areas in India, and almost entirely of Eabametoong community members. was drawn to the idea of working in a similar environment

4 NORTHERN PASSAGES | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 Molly Boyce (centre) participates in a sharing circle with representatives from NOSM, Matawa First Nations Management and community members from Eabametoong.

Eabametoong First Nation, with a population of 1,500, is one of the larger communities in the Matawa First Nations Management Tribal Council and was selected as the initial site for the new residency stream because it has the resources to host a full-time physician.

Matawa First Nation Management CEO David Paul Achneepineskum, NOSM Dean and CEO Dr. Roger Strasser and Eabametoong First Nation Chief Elizabeth Atlookan sign the agreement establishing the Remote First Nations Family Medicine Residency Stream.

in Canada. “It’s a totally different culture, and I’ve enjoyed my necessity with a limited team of allied health professionals and time in Eabametoong so far,” he says. “I believe with acceptance where mental health, addiction, culture, community and history from the community earned through my training program and all intersect,” says Paul Capon, a Policy Analyst with Matawa First offering culturally safe care, I will quite like living and practising Nations Management. “We look forward to its development and there.” expansion.”

Medical graduates accepted into the Remote First Nations Boyce says she hopes the residents who enter the program Family Medicine Residency stream undergo additional training can manage the challenges of living and working in the in order to meet the needs of the communities, says Dr. Chase. community. “Some people in the community are excited about Dr. Murthy has done obstetrics training, as well as a plastic the program, but some are really not sure yet,” she says. “We surgery repairs rotation, and will spend extra time on urgent open our hearts and we open our minds, and we allow people care skills in order to be prepared to practice independently in to come here, so we hope that the residents feel that, and geographic isolation. Additional curriculum on cultural safety embrace their training and life here.” and trauma informed care is also provided.

During their week-long visits, the residents will also have a half day devoted to community engagement and cultural “The partnership is not in name only. teachings. As the Community Residency Liaison Coordinator, Boyce is responsible for organizing this part of the program, Power is actually being shared, including arranging meetings with Elders and taking the residents out on the land. and that is different from most other

“The program provides a unique opportunity to train physicians things I’ve ever been involved in.” in a non-institutional setting where collaborative medicine is a

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 | NORTHERN PASSAGES 5 A DECADE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE: CITY OF LAKES FAMILY HEALTH TEAM CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY

In 2008, the new City of Lakes Family In Sudbury, as in many communities team of family physicians, nurse Health Team (CoLFHT) clinic in Val Caron in Northern Ontario, recruiting and practitioners, registered nurses, had its first patient walk through the retaining physicians and other health- social workers, dietitians, and other doors. Ten years later, that patient is one care professionals was a challenge for professionals who would work together of 20,000 who are served by the CoLFHT decades. From the beginning, there to provide primary health care for their in one of four clinics in Sudbury, Val was a desire among CoLFHT leadership community. Caron, Walden and Chelmsford. to make the clinics teaching sites for NOSM as a solution to the shortage, says The CoLFHT is also a NOSM-designated “Many of the patients we’ve rostered Courtemanche. clinical teaching site for health over the past ten years didn’t have a disciplines, with nurse practitioners, family physician, so we’ve been able to “Having students and residents come registered nurses and dietitians serving help close the gaps in access to primary in from the Northern Ontario School of as preceptors for clinical learners. care in the community,” Medicine has really helped us increase says David Courtemanche, the Executive our health workforce,” he says. In fact, And the interdisciplinary team is Director of the CoLFHT. the past seven new physicians hired by only one piece of the family health the CoLFHT have all been graduates of team puzzle. The CoLFHT offers after- As the clinic celebrates its tenth NOSM, according to Courtemanche. hours clinics for patients with urgent anniversary this year, Courtemanche and concerns, as well as a variety of the team at CoLFHT are reflecting on “Many residents and students from the programs addressing priority health the milestone, and the impact the clinics Northern Ontario School of Medicine issues including geriatrics, diabetes, have had on the community. find clinical placements with us,” he smoking cessation, mental health and says. “The CoLFHT provides an attractive addictions in which the patients have According to Courtemanche, of the place for family physicians to establish a the opportunity to enroll. approximately 125 family physicians in practice, particularly for new physicians Sudbury, about 100 are located in the who are drawn to team-based care.” “The establishment of multiple core of the city. Only 25 are located in clinics delivering team-based care surrounding areas, despite the fact that The CoLFHT was approved by the has redefined primary care in our half the population of Sudbury lives Ontario Ministry of Health and Long- community, and has helped to build there. Term Care in 2005 as part of the first a more sustainable local health-care wave of new family health teams in infrastructure,” says Courtemanche. “The “Of those 25 physicians, 12 are part Ontario. Northern Ontario School of Medicine has of our team,” he says. “People living in played a major role in that, and I believe the outlying areas of Greater Sudbury At that time, most family physicians it will continue to for the next ten years now have better access to primary care in Ontario worked alone or in small to come.” because our clinics are where they live. practices. Family health teams were a We think that’s important.” new model of primary care organizations that would include an interdisciplinary

6 NORTHERN PASSAGES | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 Medical students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine learn about nutrition and improve their cooking skills during one of the School’s new Culinary Medicine Labs.

OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND INTO THE KITCHEN

A new initiative at the Northern Ontario “Diet is the number one risk factor for prevention and management of chronic School of Medicine is taking medical chronic diseases, and plays a huge role in conditions. students from the classroom to the the prevention and management of these kitchen. diseases,” she says. “The Culinary Medicine “Food and nutrition and diet are all part of Labs are a way to educate our future lifestyle, and if physicians don’t understand During the 2017-18 academic year, health-care providers about food and these lifestyle factors that influence optional Culinary Medicine Labs were nutrition so they’re able to competently chronic diseases, they can only help their offered to undergraduate medical and confidently approach and address patients to a certain extent,” says Nicole students with an interest in learning more these health issues,” she says. Selman, one of NOSM’s dietetic interns about nutrition. who assisted with the labs. Rysdale organized the Culinary Medicine “Research shows that the greatest Labs with the help of fellow RD faculty and Another purpose of the labs was to predictor of patient nutrition counselling current interns with the Northern Ontario educate medical students about the roles by physicians is the physician’s own Dietetic Internship Program (NODIP) at of registered dietitians. perceptions of nutrition and eating habits,” NOSM. says Lee Rysdale, Registered Dietitian (RD), “Not only do we want to improve their Associate Professor in the Clinical Sciences The four labs were held in teaching nutrition competence, we also want Division and Practice Education Research kitchens at local high schools in Sudbury them to better understand the roles of and Evaluation Lead in the Health Sciences and Thunder Bay. Each lab focused on a registered dietitians in health care, as well and Interprofessional Education Unit at specific theme: fad diets, weight stigma, as who to refer a patient to when it comes NOSM. and nutrition and the art of eating. to nutrition and health,” says Rysdale.

“By supporting medical students and Registered dietitians and the dietetic By bringing together medical students and teaching these skills early on, we can interns presented a holistic approach to dietetic interns, the labs also present an foster healthy lifestyle habits which can culinary medicine, and in each session opportunity for interprofessional learning be translated into physician practice and the medical students were taught a between two groups here at NOSM. ultimately increase patient awareness of combination of nutrition education, nutrition and healthy eating,” she says. food skills and preparation, as well as “It can be somewhat intimidating at first, counselling skills. because they’re medical students, but it Some Canadian medical schools was a great opportunity for us to show have implemented voluntary or brief Students learned to appraise dietary that while we both have our own unique amounts of nutrition education into the patterns to determine whether they skill set, we do a better job for patients if undergraduate curriculum but there are promote the “diet” mentality or flexible, we work together as a team,” says Selman. currently no nutrition-related curriculum individualized eating; to compare and guidelines or pertinent objectives in the contrast weight-focused versus weight- Medical Council of Canada licensing exam, neutral approaches to care; and to according to Rysdale. understand how food can help with the

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 | NORTHERN PASSAGES 7 BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: NOSM HOSTS FIRST PAN-NORTHERN PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP FORUM

In February 2018, the Northern Ontario biggest considerations in the North is of that is bringing people together School of Medicine hosted Northern geography, so bringing people together and giving them the opportunity to Lights, Northern Ontario’s first Pan- via a pan-northern physician leadership develop relationships,” he says. “At Northern Physician Leadership Forum. forum was a way in which we could Northern Lights, physicians at different address the isolation many physician phases of their leadership journeys Northern Lights was the result of leaders face due to the geographical were able to share perspectives, learn collaborations involving NOSM, the challenges of living and practicing in from each other, and start a dialogue Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Northern Ontario.” for the development of a supportive and the Associated Medical Services community of Northern Ontario (AMS) Phoenix Fellowship Program, all of When organizing the forum, Dr. Goertzen Physician leaders.” which share a commitment to physician says there was also a specific focus on leadership development. ensuring those attending represented a During the two-and-a-half-day cross section of communities, genders, event, participants completed the “Developing leaders focuses on career levels, as well as various hospitals Physician Leadership Institute Course individuals, but leadership development and health-care organizations in titled Engaging Others. The forum is when we develop models of Northern Ontario. also featured guided discussions leadership within organizations,” says exploring strategies to support mutual Dr. James Goertzen, Assistant Dean of Northern Lights included 37 residents, engagement with guests from OMA, Continuing Education and Professional new graduates, physicians in their early the Ontario Hospital Association and Development at NOSM and AMS careers and experienced physician Health Quality Ontario, as well as Phoenix Fellow. “With Northern Lights, leaders from communities across the relationships between physician we are shifting towards leadership the North, including Kenora, Dryden, engagement, resilience, and burnout development in Northern Ontario.” Thunder Bay, Marathon, Sault Ste. Marie, along with strategies to promote Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Parry physician wellness. The transition from leader development Sound and Manitoulin Island. It also to leadership development requires included representatives from a range Planning for Northern Lights 2019 is a shift in the culture of collaboration of health-care organizations including already underway, says Dr. Goertzen, and engagement within and between NOSM, the Northern Ontario Academic with the continued focus on creating a organizations, according to Dr. Medicine Association, the Physician system-wide, collaborative network of Goertzen. The goal of Northern Lights Clinical Teachers’ Association, OMA, Local physician leaders in health-care settings was to create a model of leadership Education Groups and Northern Ontario and organizations across the North. development that specifically addressed academic health sciences centres and the unique needs of physicians and teaching hospitals. “The ultimate goal is to develop a health-care organizations in Northern community of practice of Northern Ontario. The rare opportunity to network and Ontario physician leaders,” he says. “As we make face-to-face connections with have a mandate to improve the health “A lot of what we do in Ontario in terms other Northern Ontario physician leaders of people living in the North, we need of health care is pretty -centric, was the highlight of the event for many to be using leadership development to including leadership development, so in attendance, according to Dr. Goertzen. assist us, and that means looking at a we were looking at how we can take the model of leadership development that’s existing models and make them work for “Building collaborations is crucial to more collaborative and more responsive Northern Ontario,” he says. “One of our leadership development, and part to the needs of people in our care.”

8 NORTHERN PASSAGES | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 ROOM TO BREATHE: PROMOTING MEDICAL STUDENT WELLNESS AT THE NORTHERN ONTARIO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

forefront,” she says. “When your job is “In medicine, we tend to look at the caring for others, it can be emotionally patient, and focus on making them well draining and very tough mentally. The and offering them the support they whole field of medicine is dealing with need, but we don’t typically offer that this issue, and we want to show students same support to our colleagues,” says it’s okay to be having conversations Shields. Wellness room at NOSM about personal wellness and mental at Laurentian University. health; they need to take care of Shields, a former nurse whose late themselves and their colleagues.” husband was a doctor and practiced in the Sudbury area, says she saw firsthand There is one wellness room in each of throughout her career and her marriage the two NOSM medical school buildings. how little support there was for health- Existing office space was converted to care professionals who were struggling student wellness space with the help of with the stresses of their jobs. Wellness room at NOSM a generous donation to the School. at Lakehead University. “My hope is that these rooms give Two new wellness rooms at the Northern Both rooms have a reclining chair, which students the space they need to take Ontario School of Medicine are offering can be sectioned off by a curtain for a step back when they are feeling students and learners a space to help privacy, a small table and chairs, a phone, overwhelmed, as well as provide the them cope with the day-to-day stresses a fridge and a small open space where necessary tools to cope in a healthy way of academics as well as home and family students can practice yoga or mindful with the stress of being a health-care life. meditation. They also offer a private, provider and student,” she says. comfortable space for learners who are “When you go into medicine, there are breastfeeding. She says that supporting mental health rewards, but there are also occupational and overall wellness among health- hazards,” says Cathy Schroeder, Senior “We’ve had a number of learners who are care professionals also serves as a Learner Affairs Officer at NOSM. nursing mothers, and we’re happy that contribution to the community. “Students may have dealt with or seen the wellness rooms offer a comfortable things that have affected them, or they space to pump, or to breastfeed if they “At the end of the day, if doctors and could be feeling burned out from a have their child on campus with them,” other health-care providers are healthy, combination of academics, clinical and says Schroeder. “Wellness is broad, and they can provide better care for their volunteer work.” we wanted to take a holistic approach so patients,” says Shields. that these rooms cater to a wide range This includes burnout, depression, and of needs.” anxiety. She says the rooms are part of Research shows that medical students the NOSM Learner Affairs Unit’s ongoing Clare Shields, the donor who funded the experience higher rates of psychological strategy to promote overall health and two rooms, says she wanted to focus distress relative to age-matched peers. wellness among medical students. on student wellness because it’s an If you would like to support learner wellness, underserviced area for medical students, please contact NOSM's Advancement Office at “It is really important to have space as well as those studying other health [email protected] or 1-800-461-8777. for students that puts wellness at the professions.

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 | NORTHERN PASSAGES 9 Even before the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s (NOSM’s) Charter MD class walked through the doors in 2005, the School engaged First Nations and Métis peoples from communities across Northern Ontario as part of its mandate to be accountable to the cultural diversity of the region.

Indigenous organizations were at the forefront of the widespread community movement advocating for the establishment of NOSM. Indigenous Partnership Gatherings were established as a way to ensure that Indigenous peoples of Northern Ontario have regular opportunities to provide formative input into the School’s administration, education and research. The Gatherings regularly bring together stakeholders from treaty organizations, Elders, physicians, nurses and other health-care professionals with experience in Indigenous health settings to learn from their invaluable experience, and hear their feedback and ideas to move the School forward.

THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL’S INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIP GATHERINGS, FROM THE FIRST GATHERING IN 2003 TO THE PRESENT.

2008 In 2008, NOSM hosted its first Indigenous Research Gathering in Thunder Bay. This Gathering provided an opportunity for Indigenous peoples and health researchers—including researchers who themselves are Indigenous—to come together to acknowledge past experiences, conduct ceremonies for healing, generate future opportunities for positive and respectful relationships between Indigenous communities and researchers, and plan a new and positive path forward.

2003 In June of 2003, NOSM hosted its first Indigenous Partnership Gathering in the Anishnaabeg community of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation, near 2006 Kenora. The three-day gathering brought together over 130 NOSM and our Indigenous delegates from Indigenous partners came together for the communities across the North. second time at Fort William The report from this first First Nation in August 2006, 2011 after the School’s Charter Class “Follow Your Dreams” Gathering NOSM and the Métis Nation served as a blueprint for the had just completed their four- week immersive Indigenous of Ontario (MNO) co-hosted establishment of the Indigenous the School’s third Indigenous Affairs Unit and the Indigenous community placement. Nearly all of the Indigenous Local Partnership Gathering in May Reference Group, as well as the 2011 in Sudbury. The MNO development of partnerships Community Coordinators were on hand to share their and NOSM have a range of with Indigenous communities so common goals, and following that all NOSM medical students experiences of having medical students in their communities. the opening of the workshop, have a mandatory four-week the two organizations officially cultural immersion experience in announced and signed a historic their first year. collaboration agreement.

10 NORTHERN PASSAGES | VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 2016 NOSM welcomed delegates from Indigenous communities of Northern Ontario to the second Indigenous Research Gathering in 2016 in Sault Ste. Marie on the traditional lands 2014 of the Anishinabek Peoples In August 2014, Chapleau Cree of Baawaating. The two-day First Nation hosted NOSM’s Gathering was organized to fourth Indigenous Community review past and present research Partnership Gathering. NOSM practices, what researchers senior leaders, faculty and have learned about the staff gathered to report on important aspects of conducting the tangible progress NOSM Indigenous community research, had made in implementing and also reflect on the findings recommendations from previous of the Truth and Reconciliation partnership gatherings, and Commission as they relate to sought recommendations about research. how the School could refine its practices, activities and outcomes to ensure that NOSM continues to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples across Northern Ontario. 2018 The fifth Indigenous Partnership Gathering will be hosted near Kenora on September 20, 2018.

2015 NOSM’s Indigenous Affairs Unit held a historic Elder’s Gathering on the traditional lands of Fort William First Nation in 2015, bringing together Elders 2017 from First Nations and Métis On June 28, 2017, NOSM’s communities across Northern Indigenous Affairs and Research Ontario. The Elders discussed Units co-hosted a one-day the purpose, function and workshop on the traditional responsibility of NOSM Elders territory of the Fort William First and those on the Council of Nation. Bringing together youth, Elders. Through sharing and Elders, community leaders, and discussion, it was decided that government representatives the newly formed Ogichidaang the Pathways to Well-Being Gagiigatiziwin—NOSM’s Circle of Workshop focused on strategies Elders and Traditional Knowledge to promote life and life skills, Keepers—will be guided in their and identify strengths of work by the Seven Grandfather communities to address the crisis teachings: Nibwaakaawin of youth suicide. (wisdom); Zaagi’idiwin (love); Minaadendamowin (respect); Aakode’ewin (bravery); Gwayakwaadiziwin (honesty); Dabaadendiziwin (humility); and, Debwewin (truth).

VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 2 | NORTHERN PASSAGES 11 BEHIND THE SCENES: ELECTIVES

In each issue of Northern Passages, individuals share a “behind- In what ways does your work with Electives support the the-scenes” look at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. School’s mission and vision? This edition features two members of the School’s Scheduling Unit, who share with us how they facilitate clinical rotations ER: The work in the Scheduling Unit supports NOSM’s vision for NOSM learners, and engage with community stakeholders and mission by providing hands-on clinical experience with involved in clinical rotations. knowledgeable faculty in rural, small urban and under-serviced communities. We also facilitate learner exposure to both Can you describe your role at NOSM, and how long you’ve Indigenous and Francophone patients. been with the School? TB: The School has a focus on social accountability, and I Elise Rheaume (ER): I’ve been at NOSM for believe that as part of our mission we need to be accountable 10 years and coordinating student placement for the learners that embark on NOSM’s elective opportunities. for approximately seven of those years. My Electives help learners to identify their areas of interest or role as a Community Engagement Scheduling potential specialty during their undergraduate years. They also Coordinator is to facilitate clinical rotations can encourage a transition to practice in Northern, rural and for Canadian visiting postgraduate residents and third-year under-serviced communities following residency. undergraduate medical students’ core rotations in the North. I engage with community stakeholders, preceptors and others What has been the most interesting part about your work involved in the organization of clinical rotations, and I’m also with students? involved in the recruitment of clinical placement learners to participate in the Northern Ontario Electives Program. ER: Seeing a visiting learner complete some of their undergraduate and postgraduate electives with us, and then Tammy Blouin (TB): I’ve been with NOSM for seeing them become a NOSM faculty appointed physician who almost 12 years, but I’ve been in this role since is actively teaching in one of our NOSM community has been a October 2014. As the Community Engagement great experience for me. Scheduling Coordinator for NOSM Learner Electives, I facilitate and coordinate the From your perspective, what impact are NOSM students scheduling of NOSM Undergraduate and Postgraduate medical and learners having in Northern Ontario communities? clinical placements within Northern Ontario. TB: As learners navigate through the wide variety of elective What is the most rewarding part of your role? opportunities that are available to them, they are able to grow as a physician by building positive relationships with TB: The most rewarding part of my role is contributing in a hospital staff and NOSM faculty within the communities; these positive way to the area of student support and NOSM Clinical connections also increase the likelihood that they will stay in Scheduling Team. My position is the link between learners and the North following their residency, which will help increase the various health-care professionals and groups that provide capacity and build the health-care workforce in Northern student support; this is essential in light of the changing Ontario. Through their electives, students and learners are also settings of a clinical learning environment. able to better understand rural settings, as well as recognize the medical needs within our Northern communities, which ER: One of the most rewarding aspects of my position is ultimately allows them to provide better care for their patients. hearing from the learners after their rotation, and having them tell us that they had a great experience in one of our communities and would recommend NOSM to their peers.

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