THUNDER BAY—Two Manitoulin medical mentors were recognized by the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) at the school’s annual board dinner last week in Thunder Bay as part of NOSM’s annual face-to face meeting.
Exemplary learners, faculty and preceptors were presented with Awards of Excellence by NOSM Senior Associate Dean Dr. Bill McCready and Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs Dr. Janice Willet, including Manitoulin’s Dr. Maurianne Read, a rural family doctor and assistant professor based at the Mindemoya Hospital, and Crystal Morra, a registered dietician and Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program (NODIP) preceptor at Noojmowin Teg Health Centre in Aundeck Omni Kaning.
Learners who received awards were second-year medical students Mallory Granholm and Samuel Peters. The awards are presented annually at the NOSM board of directors face-to-face meeting and award recipients are invited to attend the activities planned for the board.
Dr. Reed said it remains a mystery as to who nominated her, but that she was “very thrilled and excited” to have received the award.
“We try to make the hospital a welcoming place and a good learning environment for (NOSM medical) students,” Dr. Reed told The Expositor of her award.
Dr. Reed also noted that there were many comments at the awards dinner about how “Manitoulin swept the awards,” to which she said, “It is wonderful that our efforts were recognized. Locally, we stand behind the medical school and through the role we play, encourage its success. It is wonderful to be able to share knowledge and promote rural medicine.”
Ms. Morra also told The Expositor that she was taken aback by the award, but pleased.
“I was totally surprised,” said Ms. Morra. “What an honour and what a wonderful opportunity to meet the NOSM board of directors and participate in the board’s semi annual face-to-face meeting. I am so appreciative for the learning opportunity and stimulating interactions.”
“This award really speaks to the amazing supports I have as a preceptor,” continued Ms. Morra. “I graduated from NOSM’s Northern Ontario Dietetic Internship Program (NODIP) in 2009 and I feel lucky to have maintained connections with the program. The NODIP program coordinator really goes above and beyond to keep registered dietitians in the North connected and provide us with exceptional support at preceptors. Additionally, NOSM does excellent work in providing opportunities for their faculty. And of course, Noojmowin Teg Health Centre is keen to support new learners. All of these really help make it a great experience to have learners come on board. We have been fortunate to have a number of keen and engaged learners—I truly believe that the learning has been mutual.”
