PCTA Award

This award is given to a physician leader who has demonstrated commitment to excellence and innovation, has had a lasting impact on clinical education, and embodies and integrates the values of professionalism, communicator, collaborator, manager, and advocate.

• Dr. Sarah McIsaac, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Health Sciences Awards

Visit the Health Science website to read bios of award recipients.

Innovative Preceptor Award

Given to a preceptor who embraces innovation in providing clinical learning experiences, this award recognizes an educator who is prepared to do things differently–with innovation–in order to meet the needs of the learner.

• Sarah-Jane Mason, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy 
• Fraser Stephenson, Preceptor, Physiotherapy 
• Carrie Linklater, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology 
• Chantal Bélanger, Preceptor , Dietetics 

Interprofessional Collaborator Award

This award celebrates individuals who are recognized by their peers and learners for being a good collaborator or leader of interprofessional learning.

• Mavia DeNoble, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy
• Jill Whitwam, Preceptor, Physiotherapy 
• Brenda Liddle, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology 
• Allana Gowan, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology 
• Lela Hopper, Preceptor, Dietetics

Commitment to Clinical Education Award

The Commitment to Clinical Education Award recognizes a preceptor who demonstrates commitment towards the education of health science professional learners in the North as evidenced by being a frequent and willing participant, supporter and champion of education.

• Linda Smith, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy 
• Marie-Josée Dagenais, Preceptor, Physiotherapy 
• Sally Guillemette, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology 
• Rachel Palahnuk, Preceptor, Dietetics 

Northern Ambassador Award

This uniquely Northern award is a celebration of a preceptor who is recognized for being a strong ambassador for their community, and who creates a welcoming environment for learners of all disciplines.

• Monique Jardine, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy 
• Derek Debassige, Preceptor, Physiotherapy 
• Rachel Pessah, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology 
• Kelsey McGinn, Preceptor, Dietetics 

Academic Excellence Award

The Academic Excellence Award recognizes individuals who consistently participate in or contribute to scholarly activities, including research, mentorship, academic instruction or other related works.

• Cheryl Alderdice, Preceptor, Physiotherapy 
• Bridget King, Preceptor, Dietetics 

Awards of Excellence and Scholarship

Faculty, residents, and learners at NOSM University play an integral role in achieving the University’s mission and make outstanding contributions to teaching, research, clinical care and administration in Northern Ontario.

Faculty Awards

Academic Leader Award

This award recognizes individuals in the Clinical, Medical, or Human Sciences Division with demonstrated leadership skills in NOSM University administrative roles such as Program Directors, Theme Course Chairs, Phase Module Coordinators, Academic Directors, Medical Directors, as well as other administrative positions outside the University.

• Dr. Rony Atoui, Professor, Clinical Sciences

Clinical Scholar Award

Members of the Clinical Sciences Division are recognized with the Clinical Scholar Award for their research, presentation of papers, production of posters, invitations to speak at professional meetings/other institutions, and mentorship of faculty in the aforementioned areas.

• Dr. Ioannis Voutsadakis, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Clinical Teacher Award

The Clinical Teacher Award recognizes members of the Clinical Sciences Division for excellence in clinical teaching/supervision skills.

• Dr. Amber Dudar, Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Community Champion Award

A Community Champion is a Clinical Sciences faculty member who has had a significant impact on their community through clinical services, teaching, research, volunteer work, or other community involvement continually advocating accessibility for the best health care available.

• Denise Taylor, Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Medical Educator Award

Recognizing members of the Clinical, Medical or Human Sciences Divisions, the Medical Educator Award acknowledges outstanding contributions to medical education research, and/or curriculum development.

• Dr. Richard Painter, Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Scholar Award

The Scholar Award recognizes individuals within the Medical or Human Sciences Divisions for their teaching, research, and administrative contributions to NOSM University.

• Dr. Sujeenthar Tharmalingam, Assistant Professor, Medical Sciences

Faculty Mentorship Award

This award recognizes the exemplary commitment by a clinical faculty member in the mentorship of another faculty member(s).

• Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Learner Awards

Learner: Advocate/Leader Award

This award recognizes learners for their achievements in advocacy and or leadership particularly with respect to improving education programs.

• Ashley Wallace, fourth-year medical student

Learner: Scholarly Activity Award

The Learner Scholarly Activity Award recognizes learners for their teaching, research, and administrative contributions to NOSM University.  

• Arjav Gupta, second-year medical student

Learner: Peer Teaching Award

This award recognizes learners at all levels who strive to improve the teaching, learning, and educational environments for other NOSM University learners.

• Dr. Michael Christie, third-year medical resident

Learner-Nominated Teacher Award

Nominated by a learner, this award recognizes members of the Clinical, Medical, or Human Sciences Division for excellence in either academic teaching, or clinical teaching and supervision.

• Dr. Kiersten Parr, Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Alumni Awards

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award is presented to a recent graduate of NOSM University (within one to five years of completion of residency training) who has demonstrated significant professional achievements, made significant contributions to their community or as a volunteer, or has displayed promise of significant future accomplishments in Northern Ontario.

• Dr. Kyle Harper, Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciences

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

This award is presented annually to a NOSM University alumna/alumnus who has achieved excellence, personally or professionally, and whose actions and influence have made a positive impact in health care, medical education, or research in Northern Ontario. The recipient will have made a strong contribution to NOSM University and demonstrated their commitment to bringing equitable and accessible health care to Northern Ontario.

• Dr. Kim Varty, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Honorary Alumni Award

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to an individual who is not a graduate of NOSM University, but whose actions have embodied its vision, mission, and values. The recipient has positively contributed to the Northern Ontario health-care community and the medical profession.

• Chuck Schmitt, Dryden Site Administrative Coordinator (Posthumous)

Dr. Sarita Verma Awards for Distinguished Leadership

Established in 2024 with the retirement of Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM University’s inaugural President, Vice Chancellor, CEO and second Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Dr. Verma served as Dean from July 1, 2019, to March 30, 2022, then became President, Vice Chancellor, Dean and CEO when NOSM was proclaimed Canada’s first independent medical University on April 1, 2022.

These awards celebrate the work of Dr. Verma, a passionate and courageous leader who championed visionary and transformative change. The award recipients have demonstrated leadership impact and achievements within the NOSM University community; innovation and creativity in addressing challenges and fostering positive change; and, made contributions to the overall well-being and success of NOSM University.

Faculty

• East: Dr. David MacLean, Professor, Medical Sciences
• West: Dr. Kim Varty, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences

Nominees included: 

• Dr. Stacy Desilets
• Dr. Jack Haggarty
• Dr. Sarah Newbery
• Dr. Kris Opryszczko
• Dr. Kiersten Parr
• Dr. Nicole Ranger
• Sheila Renton
• Dr. Maija Robinson
• Dr. Katherine Santos
• Dr. Jennifer Zymantas
  

Staff

• East: Dr. Kristy Côté, Administrative Director, Family Medicine and Strategic Advisor to the President
• West: Marie Parkkari, Education Manager, PGME

Nominees included: 

• Judy Depatie
• Sonya Richard
• Chuck Schmitt
• Jennifer Turcotte-Russak
• Brianne Wood

Learner

• East: Dr. Mélanie-Rose Frappier, second-year medical resident
• West: Taylor Murie, third-year medical student
  

Nominees included: 

• Lobna Abdel-Dayem
• Julie Leroux
• Meagan McGaughey
• Mateo Newbery Orrantia
• Claire Poulin
• Brooklyn Ranta