From among its ranks, NOSM University has found its new Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Development.
Dr. Tara Baron is a general consulting pediatrician in Sudbury. She has been involved with NOSM University since its inception and is currently Pediatric Program Director and the Sudbury campus lead for the pediatric clerkship.
An award-winning physician, Dr. Baron has been recognized for her innovation and her excellence in supporting medical learners. She has won both faculty- and student-nominated awards for teaching excellence and was the recipient of a 2022 Competence by Design Innovator Award from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
"Dr. Baron stands out due to her passion for medical education and her experience designing curriculum that is both innovative and impactful," says Dr. Céline Larivière, Provost and Vice President Academic of NOSM University. "We are thrilled to have such a remarkable educator in this role and look forward to Dr. Baron's contributions."
Dr. Baron will lead NOSM University's efforts to support, develop, and deliver clinical medical education and scholarly activities to assist faculty in becoming more effective clinicians, teachers, preceptors, scholars, and educational leaders. Her five-year, renewable term will begin on July 1, 2023.
"NOSM University fosters an environment where collaboration is central, and faculty and students alike are continuously learning. I look forward to the new challenges of supporting our faculty in training our future leaders," says Dr. Baron.
"After an extensive search, our recruitment committee concluded that the most exceptional candidate was already among us," says Dr. Sarita Verma, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean, and CEO of NOSM University. "I am so excited to welcome Dr. Baron to this new role."
"I would like to thank outgoing Associate Dean Dr. James Goertzen for his dedicated service and incredible contributions to this work and wish him the best in retirement."
NOSM University is Canada's first independent medical university and one of the greatest education and physician workforce strategy success stories of Northern Ontario. More than just a medical university, it was purpose-built to address the health needs of the region. While advocating for equitable access to care, the university contributes to the economic development of Northern Ontario. NOSM University relies on the commitment and expertise of the peoples of Northern Ontario to educate health-care professionals to practise in Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserved communities. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and advocacy, NOSM University is an award-winning, socially-accountable organization renowned for its innovative model of distributed, community-engaged education and research.
