2026

Honouring Excellence

2026 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. Sean Sullivan, Associate Professor, Greater Sudbury 

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. Erin Cameron, Professor, Thunder Bay
  • Dr. Simon Lees, Professor, Thunder Bay

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. Mohammed Shurrab, Associate Professor, Greater Sudbury

Clinical Teacher Award

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

  • Dr. Jonathan DellaVedova, Associate Professor, Sault Ste. Marie

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. Mary Grise, Assistant Professor, North Bay

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. Sarah Clark, Associate Professor, Thunder Bay
  • Dr. Neelam Khaper, Professor, Thunder Bay

Faculty Mentorship Award

The Faculty Mentorship Award recognizes the exemplary commitment by a clinical faculty member to the mentorship of other faculty.  

  • Dr. Frances Kilbertus, Associate Professor, Mindemoya 

    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.

    • Chelsey Pilon, medical student, Greater Sudbury

    Learner: Scholarly Activity Award

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

    • Dr. Chidubem Okechukwu, medical resident, Greater Sudbury

    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.

    • Mustafa Alzahran, medical student, Greater Sudbury

    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. Stephanie Sbrocchi, Associate Professor, Greater Sudbury

    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. Sarah Habinski (MD 2018, Psychiatry 2024), Clinical Lecturer, Thunder Bay

    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. Nicole Zavagnin (MD 2009, Family Medicine, 2011), Associate Professor, Thunder Bay

    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.

    • Dr. Roger Strasser, Founding Dean Emeritus​​
    2026 External Awards Recipients

    January 1 – December 31, 2026

    Tiana Bressan, medical student, has been awarded Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO)’s Citizenship Award for Medical Student.  

    Dr. Erin Cameron, Professor and Director of the Dr. Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity, has received a Certificate of Merit Awards from the Canadian Association of Medical Education (CAME). 

    Dr. Lisa Nichole Currie, Assistant Professor, has received a Rural Service Award from the Society of Rural Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (SRPC).

    Laïla Faivre, Manager, Equity and Inclusion at NOSM University, was recognized for her leadership by Le Voyageur, which featured her in their International Women’s Day issue. 

    Dr. Emily Groot, NOSM University Associate Professor and Program Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, was the recipient of the 2025 New Voices Award from The Clinical Teacher and the Association for the Study of Medical Education. 

    Dr. Danielle Gustafson-Mitchell, Assistant Professor, is the recipient of the PARO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. 

    Dr. Frances Kilbertus, Associate Professor, has been honoured with a Rural Service Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. Roy Kirkpatrick, Professor, has been recognized with a Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine and a Rural Long Service Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. Hooman Hennessey, Assistant Professor, received a STAR Award from Health Sciences North (HSN) for making a difference in patient care. 

    Dr. Ryan Hodgins, Assistant Professor, received a STAR Award from HSN for making a difference in patient care. 

    Dr. Michelle Lutsch, medical resident, is the first-ever recipient of the Anesthesia Program’s Gold Star Awards for exceptional patient care. 

    Taylor Marshall, medical student, has received a Rising Star Award from CAME. 

    Dr. Jennifer Macmillan, Associate Professor, was recognized as a January 2026 Hospital Hero by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. 

    Dr. Dave McLinden, Associate Professor and Clinical Expansion Lead, has received a Certificate of Merit Awards from CAME. 

    Dr. Pierre Mikhail, Associate Professor, was recognized as a January 2026 Hospital Hero by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. 

    Dr. Sean Moore, Associate Professor, has been recognized with a Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine and a Rural Long Service Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. Laura Noack, Assistant Professor, was honoured with a Fellowship of Rural and Remote Medicine of the SRPC. 

    Dr. Diana Noseworthy, Associate Professor and Section Chair, Anesthesia, has received a Certificate of Merit Awards from CAME. 

    Alanna Pullen, medical student, has received a Student Leadership Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. Emily Queenan, Assistant Professor, has been awarded a Rural Service Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. David Seligman, medical resident, has received a Rising Star Award from CAME. 

    Dr. Erik Slade, medical resident, has been recognized with the Resident Teaching Award from PARO. 

    Dr. Derek Smith, Assistant Professor, was recognized as a January 2026 Hospital Hero by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. 

    Dr. Lee Toner, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, received a STAR Award from HSN for making a difference in patient care. 

    Dr. Sara Van Der Loo, Assistant Professor, is the recipient of a Rural Long Service Award from the SRPC. , Assistant Professor, is the recipient of a Rural Long Service Award from the SRPC. 

    Dr. Nastasia Wasilewski, Clinical Lecturer, was recognized as a January 2026 Hospital Hero by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.  

    Cassandra Whymark, Master of Medical Studies learner, has received a Rising Star Award from CAME.  

    Dr. Tony Teng-Chih Yang, Assistant Professor, was recognized as a January 2026 Hospital Hero by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. 

    Melissa Yeo, medical student, has been recognized with the Student Essay Award from the SRPC.  

    2026 Faculty Promotions

    Professor Emeritus 

    • Dr. Jaro Kotalik 
    • Dr. Amadeo Parissenti  

    Professor 

    • Dr. Olexiy Aseyev 

    Associate Professor 

    •     Dr. Lucas Castellani 
    •     Dr. Caitlin Champion 
    •     Dr. Jose de Wit 
    •     Dr. Philip George 
    •     Dr. Jennifer Jocko 
    •     Dr. Katie Kauffeldt 
    •     Dr. Adrienne Kelly 
    •     Dr. Yuvaraj Kotteeswaran 
    •     Dr. Grace Ma 
    •     Dr. Travis Marion 
    •     Dr. Teresa Marsh 
    •     Dr. Azadeh Mofid 
    •     Dr. Tara Oliver 
    •     Dr. Stefano Priola 
    •     Dr. Owen Prowse 
    •     Dr. Carly Pulkkinen 
    •     Ms. Sheila Renton 
    •     Dr. Arianne St. Jacques 
    •     Dr. Aidan Wharton