As NOSM University celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is marking a major milestone in its evolution as Canada's only independent medical university. Four new residency programs are being announced in Medical Oncology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine Enhanced Skills in Palliative Care, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, furthering the University's commitment to grow medical education capacity and improve access to quality health care in Northern Ontario.
The new programs are a central part of NOSM University's strategy to address the urgent physician shortages and health inequities in the region. They will contribute to the University's ambitious growth targets to increase the number of medical students from 64 to 108 by 2028, and incoming residents from 60 to 123 by the same year.
"These new residency programs represent a major step forward in NOSM University's expansion plan and in transforming access to health care in Northern Ontario," says Dr. Rob Anderson, Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education. "We are grateful to the hospitals, clinics, health-care professionals and community partners across Northern Ontario whose support ensures residents receive exceptional training while helping to build a stronger local health system."
Program Highlights:
- The Medical Oncology program immerses residents in leading hospitals and cancer centres across the North. These residents will recieve advanced, comrehensive training in cancer care and research close to patients and tailored to their unique needs.
- Complementing the current Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine program, a new Royal College Emergency Medicine program will equip residents with high-fidelity simulation training in procedural skills, crisis management, and team-based care. This practical, hands-on experience will prepare them to deliver high-quality care in northern communities, where the need for physicians is critical.
- Designed for Family Medicine graduates, the 12-month Palliative Care program emphasizes holistic, compassionate care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and provides longitudinal exposure across the full patient journey.
- The Obstetrics and Gynecology program will train physicians in the north to provide exceptional care across the spectrum of reproductive health and surgical care. With an emphasis on serving rural and remote population, this unique program will enhance equity, access and culturally safe care in Northern Ontario.
Grounded in NOSM University's commitment to social accountability, the new programs directly respond to the urgent physician shortages in Northern Ontario. They are designed to fill critical gaps in care for Northern Ontarians facing challenges in accessing health services.
"The addition of these new residency programs is enabled by the provincial government's expansion of medical education placements. This is a vital step toward improving access to care in Northern Ontario by training more physicians where they are needed most," says Dr. Michael Green, President, Vice-Chancellor, Dean and CEO of NOSM University.
With this expansion, NOSM University continues to lead with purpose, advance health equity, and create a resilient future for health professions education in the North.
