Residency Positions Increase in Northern Ontario

Supplied by the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities… September 15, 2015 – Kapuskasing, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has confirmed an increase of five of residency positions in Northern Ontario for 2016.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has been instrumental in addressing the continued challenges of providing quality health care in the region by developing a made in the North model of community-engaged medical education.

“Research has shown that students who study and train at NOSM are staying in the North to practice,” says Mayor Alan Spacek of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM. “The impact that NOSM has had on Northern Ontario within the last ten years is truly significant,” continued Spacek.

FONOM had previously advocated for an increase to the number of residency positions at NOSM to ensure that the region continues to be supplied with physicians. Having an adequate number of residency positions has been proven to help train and recruit future health care providers in the region.    “We appreciate that the province is committed to increasing the number of positions in the North,” said Spacek. “Creating opportunities for graduates in the region is an important aspect of increasing access to primary health care for Northerners.”

“Five additional residency spots in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine will make a big difference in improving access to care in Northern Ontario. It also demonstrates our commitment to help regions with a high need for doctors and make evidence-based decisions in health care planning,” stated Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

FONOM will continue to work with NOSM to meet the needs of our underserviced communities in Northern Ontario.