2025

Honouring Excellence

2025 NOSM University Award Recipients

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. Edward Hirvi, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences and Family Medicine Section Chair

Health Sciences Awards

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.

Nina Vendetti, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy
Alexa Tipper, Preceptor, Physiotherapy
Bethany McKinley-Young, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology
Caitlyn McLeod, 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.

Kristi MacWilliam, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy
Sarah Jones, Preceptor, Physiotherapy
Lisa Lees, 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.

Michael Ivany, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy
Sandhya Aiyer, Preceptor, Physiotherapy
Susan Coulter, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology
Erica Dubois, 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.

Kate Stadnyk, Preceptor, Occupational Therapy
Tyler Neil, Preceptor, Physiotherapy
Karen Figliomeni, Preceptor, Speech-Language Pathology
Nola Thompson, 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. Katherine Richardson, Associate 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. Olexiy Aseyev, 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. Arianne St. Jacques, 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.

Dr. Jennifer Jocko, Assistant Professor, Clinical Scienceses

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. Cheryl Clayton, 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.

Emma Harland, Third-year medical student

Learner: Scholarly Activity Award

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

Dr. Travis Quevillon, Second-year Internal Medicine resident

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. Michelle Chae Min Lee Second-year Internal Medicine 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. Amparo Wolf Assistant Professor, Clinical Sciencess

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. Athena Young, Clinical Lecturer, 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. Jason Sutherland, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences and Program Director, Family Medicine

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.

Kenneth Boshcoff, His Worship, Mayor of Thunder Bay
Jim Gordon, Former Mayor of Sudbury, MLA, Ontario Cabinet Minister, Member of the Order of Canada

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. Edward Hirvi, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences and Family Medicine Section Chair
West: Dr. Justin Jagger, Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics Section Chair

Nominees included:

Dr. Grace Ma
Dr. Florence Morriello
Dr. Kris Opryszczko
Dr. Nicole Ranger
Dr. Anne Robinson

Staff

East: Denise Raftis, Dietetic Practicum Lead
West: Anita Arella, Director, Faculty Affairs

Nominees included:

Anita Arella
Lance Dyll
Jason Lind
Joanne Musico
Melanie Poulin
Denise Raftis
Mike Ravenek
Sonya Richard
Alex St-Amant
Cassandra Whymark

Learner

East: Chantae Robinson, Fourth-year medical student
West: Emma Harland, Third-year medical student

Nominees included:

Emma Harland
Claire Poulin
Brooklyn Ranta
Chantae Robinson

Indigenous Leadership Award

The Indigenous Leadership Award is presented to a learner who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the Indigenous community at NOSM University throughout their undergraduate medical education. The recipient has shown a strong commitment to advancing Indigenous health and culture, while also maintaining a high standard of academic excellence.

Chloe Smith, Third-year medical student

2025 External Awards Recipients

Dr. Emmanuel Abara, Associate Professor, was honoured with a Lifetime Member Award by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC).

Dr. Alexandra Bastiany, Clinical Lecturer, was recently awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal. The award is given to people who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

Dr. Rachel Belanger, resident, was awarded the Resident Essay Award by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC).

Tiana Bressan, medical student, was awarded the Student Leadership Award by the SRPC.

Dr. Michael Cotterill, Assistant Professor, was honoured with a Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine, and a Rural Long Service Award by the SRPC.

Dr. Tim Dubé, Assistant Professor, received the Canadian Association for Medical Education’s (CAME) Mid-Career Achievement Award.

Catherine Duchesne, Program Coordinator for Pediatrics, was honoured with the Ross Award for Service to Resident Doctors by the Resident Doctors of Canada (RDoC), in recognition of her contributions to the enrichment of the lives of resident doctors.

Dr. Oscar Pico Espinosa, resident, received the CAME Rising Star—Certificate of Excellence, awarded to a NOSM University resident.

Dr. Mélanie-Rose Frappier, resident, was awarded the Medical Resident Leadership Award by the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC).

Nicole Hachez, Site Administrative Coordinator for Kapuskasing, was recognized by CaSPR with the Chuck Schmitt Award.

Dr. Mark Henderson, Associate Professor, was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Frances Kilbertus, Associate Professor, was honoured with the Rural Community Impact Award by the SRPC at their annual awards event.

Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Associate Professor, received a Rural Service Award from the SRPC.

Cynthia Larche, medical student, received the CAME Rising Star—Certificate of Excellence for a NOSM University medical student.

Dr. Louise Logan, Associate Professor, received a CAME Certificate of Merit Award.

Dr. Sharen Madden, Associate Professor, received a Rural Long Service Award from the SRPC.

Dr. Sean Moore, Associate Professor, received a Rural Service Award from the SRPC.

Dr. Christopher Musquash, Associate Professor, has been awarded the Distinguished Researcher Award at Lakehead University’s 2025 Research and Innovation Awards of Excellence gala.

Dr. Chris Mushquash, Associate Professor, was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Sarah Newberry, Associate Professor, was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Dr. Sarah Noack, Assistant Professor, received a Rural Service Award from the SRPC.

Dr. Valerie Nicholls, Assistant Professor, was recognized by the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO) with an Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award.

Claire Poulin, medical student, was awarded the Citizenship Award for Medical Students by the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO) in recognition of her contributions toward improving the welfare of medical students.

Alanna Pullen, medical student, was awarded the Student Essay Award by the SRPC.

Dr. Nicole Ranger, Assistant Professor, received a CAME Certificate of Merit Award.

Sheila Renton, Assistant Professor, received a CAME Certificate of Merit Award.

Dr. Deborah Saunders, Associate Professor, was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her commitment to serving the community through volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy.

Chuck Schmitt, staff, was honoured with the 2025 Rural Health Champion Award by the SRPC. Chuck was the NOSM University Site Administrative Coordinator in Dryden, ON.

Dr. David Seligman, PGY4 resident, was awarded a Resident Teaching Award by the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO) for providing outstanding clinical teaching experiences.

Dr. Josee Theriault, Assistant Professor, was recognized by the Trillium Gift of Life Network with the Provincial Donation Champion Award, given to healthcare professionals who are exceptional advocates for organ and tissue donation.

Dr. Annelind Wakegijig, Assistant Professor, was recognized by the Indigenous Physicisans Association of Canada (IPAC) with the Community Impact Award. Dr. Wakegijic is a family physician in Batchewana First Nation.