Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University is partnering up with McMaster University’s School of Rehabilitation Science to create the Northern Practice Pathway, a new pathway for medical students that will make it easier for them to pursue placements in the north, closer to home and to where they may want to practice.
“When learners are supported to train in Northern communities, they gain first-hand experience with the unique strengths, health-care needs, and realities of practising in the region. Those experiences shape the health professionals they become and strengthen the connections that encourage them to build their careers in Northern Ontario,” says Dr. Céline Larivière, Provost and Vice-President, Academic at NOSM University.
Each year, the new pathway will help six students in occupational therapy, six in physiotherapy, and two in speech-language pathology to secure placements in northern communities, and provide assistance to students in relocating to their placements and finding housing.
The Northern Practice Pathway will also offer specialized training in rural, francophone, and Indigenous health care.
“Northern Ontario has a high rate of job vacancies in rehabilitation sciences,” says Dr. Mike Ravenek, Director, Health Sciences and Program Development at NOSM University. “The Northern Practice Pathway will help NOSM University effectively serve learners and communities as we work to respond to the unique health challenges and evolving needs of the region.”
