For the first time since opening its doors in 2002, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine has a new leader.
Dr. Sarita Verma has officially taken over from Founding Dean Dr. Roger Strasser as Dean, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Verma says one of her first priorities is to engage with the more than 90 communities they serve.
She also wants to immediately address three current challenges they face.
“Make sure that we get full approval on our inspection for accreditation next year. The second is really to actually ensure that we can address the needs for northern Ontario, especially meeting the health/human resources needs,” says Dr. Verma.
She adds she will advocate for safe, accessible and high-quality health services including food, water, and housing security in the north, especially in our remote Indigenous communities.
Verma’s also pondering the idea of launching a fundraising campaign to offset the impact of government cutbacks and a freeze in tuition.
