NOSM signs agreement with University of Waterloo

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) signed a collaborative agreement with the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy that will more closely integrate both schools' programs.

Doctor of Pharmacy students with a strong desire to pursue pharmacy practice in northern communities will benefit from enhanced experiences while on northern co-op experiences during the first three years of the program.

Students in their final year of studies will undertake 24 weeks of patient care rotations that include a variety of NOSM’s distributed teaching sites. Starting in January 2015, selected Waterloo students will complete their last term of studies in Northern Ontario at one of three regional sites – Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie or Thunder Bay.

The agreement between NOSM and the University of Waterloo lists a number of additional areas of potential collaboration, including integrating pharmacy students in interprofessional learning experiences, and continuing professional development opportunities during their training in Northern Ontario.

Faculty from both schools will also explore collaborative educational and research initiatives related to improving the health of Northern populations.

“We are excited that as a result of this collaboration these pharmacy students will experience the rewarding opportunities that come from living, working, and learning in Northern Ontario,” said NOSM dean Dr. Roger Strasser. “Our hope is that one day they will join the dedicated health professionals already delivering exceptional care across the North.”