NOSM release
The President, Dean and CEO of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine has decided to speak out amid wide-spread speculation regarding the schools future in Thunder Bay.
The government of Ontario has introduced legislation to establish NOSM as an independent, standalone degree-granting institution.
It also comes at a time when member school Laurentian is facing a financial crisis and going through insolvency.
Dr. Sarita Verma she’s been inundated with questions since this happened asking about NOSM’s future but wasn’t allowed to comment at the time.
She now says nothing is changing.
Dr. Verma says there have been several misleading statements made in the media and directly to NOSM partners that have instilled fear and panic.
Dr. Verma says the fact is they are not leaving Thunder Bay or Sudbury and not taking any steps to change campuses, curriculum, processes, policies or existing partnerships.
She notes this entire process will likely strengthen relationships with northern communities, First Nations, students and others as well as enhance programming at the school in both communities.
“None of this will change with this new independent status. NOSM will continue to leverage its full potential across all of Northern Ontario.” says the Dean of the school.
The Mayor of Thunder Bay and the head of Lakehead University claim the province has separated the school from LU and Laurentian University, and both universities say they were not consulted beforehand.
Dr. Verma says NOSM doesn’t belong to any institution, it belongs to the people of Northern Ontario.
She stresses the consultation period has just started and that what’s happening now.
Dr. Verma says anyone can provide feedback by visiting NOSM Consultations
The provincial government also insists the financial troubles at Laurentian University in Sudbury will not affect the Northern Ontario School Of Medicine.
Colleges and Universities Minister Ross Romano says NOSM already operates independently and the province funds it directly.
A NOSM report indicates the school is still trying to navigate the loss of $1.6 million in revenue as a result of the situation at Laurentian.
