MD Students
Need help? You're not alone.
Are you in immediate danger?
Call 911
If you find yourself in an emergency or personal crisis, and require immediate assistance, please call 911.
- On campus in Thunder Bay, call Lakehead University Security at 807-343-8110 ext. 8911.
- On campus in Sudbury, call Laurentian University Security at 705-673-6562 or ext. 6562.
NOSM University is committed to creating a climate of inclusiveness, responsiveness, understanding, and respect for the dignity and worth of every person in order to create the best possible environment for learning, working, and research.
NOSM University firmly stands against any form of sexual misconduct, harassment or assault. We are unwavering in our dedication to fostering a community that is safe, inclusive and respectful for all.
PARO Crisis Helpline: 1-866-HELP-DOC
The PARO Crisis Helpline is a confidential support service for residents and your family members. This toll-free number is accessible anywhere in Ontario 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Trained professional counsellors who understand the resident experience will answer your call. Call 1-866-HELP-DOC or visit myparo.ca/helpline.
The PARO website also includes wellness information, tips for thriving in residency and strategies for stress. These and other resources can be found at myparo.ca.
Community-Based Crisis Services
Bracebridge
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Dryden
Dryden Regional Health Centre
1-807-223-8201 Ext. 2268
Fort Frances
Riverside Health Care Facilities
1-807-274-3261 Ext. 4521 or 1-807-274-4826
Hearst
Hôpital Notre-Dame Hospital
1-705-372-2934
Huntsville
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Kapuskasing
Sensenbrenner Hospital
1-705 337-4013
Kenora
Lake of the Woods District Hospital
1-807-468-9861 Ext. 2348
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Health Center
1-705-368-2300 Ext. 2509
mhc.on.ca/
Midland
Georgian Bay General Hospital
1-705-526-1300 Ext. 5455
North Bay
North Bay Regional Health Center
1-705-474-8600 Ext. 3033 or 3034
Parry Sound
Site Liaison Clinician (SLC)
Dr. Mara Hollingsworth
1-705-746-9382
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Area Hospital
1-705-759-3434
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1-807-737-3030 Ext. 6585 or 6586
Sudbury
Health Sciences North
1-866-469-0822 Ext. 1010
hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/
Temiskaming Shores
Temiskaming Hospital
1-705-647-8121 Ext. 2721
Timmins
Timmins and District Hospital
1-705-267-2131 Ext. 2225 and Ext. 2174
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
tbrhsc.net/
NOSM University’s Learner Support Services is a confidential service for individual students and provides services and support to students to assist them, if dealing with personal or emotional concerns. It supports UME students by being accessible and responsive from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Please know that the Learner Affairs Office is not a crisis service and is not available 24/7.
Dr. Jason Shack, Assistant Dean, Learner Affairs, NOSM University
Tel: 807-766-7465 Email: jshack@nosm.ca
Dr. Sherry Mongeau, Director Learner Support Services, NOSM University
Tel: 705-662-7257 Email: directorlearnersupportservices@nosm.ca
Nicholas Alderton, Senior Learner Affairs Officer, NOSM University
Tel: 807-766-7315 Email: nalderton@nosm.ca
Laura Csontos, Senior Learner Affairs Officer, NOSM University
Tel: 705-662-7248 Email: laura.csontos@nosm.ca
Kathleen Wells, Senior Learner Affairs Officer, NOSM University
Tel: 705-662-7027 Email: kawells@nosm.ca
HOMEWOOD HEALTH
Homewood Health™ provides the Student Assistance Program (SAP) to students and their eligible family members. Homewood Health is a private Canadian company specializing in assistance programs for over 40 years. They offer a one-of-a-kind approach to SAP—the highest quality of clinical support and intervention available—and an unmatched continuum of services that spans health promotion, mental health and addictions treatment, and prevention-focused work-life counselling services. Once registered, you can access services online at Homeweb or call Homewood Health anytime.
1-800-663-1142 (English) | 1-866-398-9505 (Numéro sans frais – en français)
1-888-384-1152 (TTY) | 604-689-1717 International (Call Collect)
PHYSICIAN HEALTH PROGRAM (PHP) 1-800-851-6606
The Ontario Medical Association Physician Health Program (PHP) provides a range of direct services to physicians, residents, and medical students, as well as supportive services to family members. This confidential support line is available during regular business hours anywhere in Ontario. A clinical coordinator will answer your call and direct you to appropriate services in your community. Additional information is available online at php.oma.org.
When UME students are dealing with academic difficulties, they can reach out for assistance. If a student receives an unexpected negative assessment or struggles with specific elements of the UME curriculum, like pharmacology, some may need reassessment or remediation. These academic difficulties present as an opportunity to learn, grow, and access additional assistance. Your Phase Director(s), and Assistant Deans want you to succeed.
The policies that govern UME assessment, promotion, remediation, and probation can be found at the following links:
Failure is the best teacher and the most successful physicians will tell you that they experienced setbacks in their training, and throughout their career. However, no matter how hard you try to adopt a growth mindset, an unexpected turn in your academic progress can have a significant impact on your well-being.
The academic leaders of the UME Program can assist you with academic difficulties:
- If you are a Year 1 or Year 2 student, please contact the Assistant Dean, Phase 1, Dr. Zacharias Suntres, email: zsuntres@nosm.ca
- If you are a Year 3 student, please contact the Phase 2 Director, Dr. Peter Istvan, email: peter.istvan@nosm.ca
- If you are a Year 4 student, please contact the Phase 3 Director, Dr. Meghan Garnett, email: mgarnett@nosm.ca
All students can choose to contact:
John Friesen
Senior Director, UME Administration
Phone: 807-766-7365
Email: john.friesen@nosm.ca
(UME) Committee on Supporting Student Professionalism Information - CSSP
For a faculty or staff with concerns about professionalism of a UME student that occurs outside of a NOSM academic or clinical activity, please email umeprofessionalism@nosm.ca to arrange to review with the CSSP Co-Chairs. Find the CSSP Procedures Documents here:
Learner Support Services may assist and support you with any professionalism issues.
Dr. Jason Shack
Assistant Dean, Learner Affairs
NOSM U Thunder Bay
Tel: 807-766-7465 Email: jshack@nosm.ca
Dr. Sherry Mongeau
Director, Learner Support Services
NOSM U Sudbury
Tel: 705-662-7257 Email: directorlearnersupportservices@nosm.ca
Nicholas Alderton
Senior Learner Affairs Officer
NOSM U Thunder Bay
Tel: 807-766-7315
Email: nalderton@nosm.ca
Laura Csontos
Senior Learner Affairs Officer
NOSM U Sudbury
Tel: 705-662-7248
Email: laura.csontos@nosm.ca
Kathleen Wells
Senior Learner Affairs Officer
NOSM U Thunder Bay
Phone: 705-662-7027
Email: kawells@nosm.ca
If you are a Year 1 or Year 2 student, please contact the Assistant Dean, Phase 1, Dr. Zacharias Suntres, email: zacharias.suntres@nosm.ca
If you are a Year 3 student, please contact the Phase 2 Director, Dr. Peter Istvan, email: peter.istvan@nosm.ca
If you are a Year 4 student, please contact the Phase 3 Director, Dr. Meghan Garnett, email: mgarnett@nosm.ca
All students can choose to contact:
John Friesen
Senior Director, UME Administration
Phone: 807-766-7365
Email: john.friesen@nosm.ca
NOSM U Well is intended to help promote healthy and safe learning environments among UME students, as well as providing support for those who may be struggling personally or professionally.
The app includes helpful features such as COVID-19 updates, emergency information, support resources, a learner event calendar, and even a way to secure a taxi ride in many northern communities.
NOSM U Well app is free and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and the App Store. Download your copy of the NOSM U Well app today!
At all times, you should protect yourself from harm at work through proper use of personal protective equipment and safety practices. However, workplace incidents may occur despite your best efforts and it is important to review and understand the safety protocols of the institution in which you are working. If any injury occurs, follow the steps below:
Step 1: If necessary, immediately obtain first aid and report to the nearest emergency department. Identify yourself as a NOSM University UME student.
Step 2: At the first opportunity, report the injury to the Occupational Health Department at your clinic or hospital site. Each of the main teaching hospitals has its own injury protocol, which must be adhered to in addition to the NOSM University protocol.
Bracebridge
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Dryden
Dryden Regional Health Centre
1-807-223-8201 Ext. 2268
Fort Frances
Riverside Health Care Facilities
1-807-274-3261 Ext. 4521 or 1-807-274-4826
Hearst
Hôpital Notre-Dame Hospital
1-705-372-2934
Huntsville
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Kapuskasing
Sensenbrenner Hospital
1-705 337-4013
Kenora
Lake of the Woods District Hospital
1-807-468-9861 Ext. 2348
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Health Center
1-705-368-2300 Ext. 2509
mhc.on.ca/
Midland
Georgian Bay General Hospital
1-705-526-1300 Ext. 5455
North Bay
North Bay Regional Health Center
1-705-474-8600 Ext. 3033 or 3034
Parry Sound
Site Liaison Clinician (SLC)
Dr. Mara Hollingsworth
1-705-746-9382
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Area Hospital
1-705-759-3434
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1-807-737-3030 Ext. 6585 or 6586
Sudbury
Health Sciences North
1-866-469-0822 Ext. 1010
hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/
Temiskaming Shores
Temiskaming Hospital
1-705-647-8121 Ext. 2721
Timmins
Timmins and District Hospital
1-705-267-2131 Ext. 2225 and Ext. 2174
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
tbrhsc.net/
Step 3: Complete the Incident Reporting and Processes form in conjunction with your clinical supervisor. Then email or fax the completed form to NOSM University Human Resources at hr@nosm.ca or 705-671-3880, and inform the UME Student Records and Electives Officer - records@nosm.ca or 705-662-7287.
Step 4: If the injury is a needlestick or biological contamination injury, see your site-specific Occupational Health department for additional forms and testing.
Step 5: The UME Student Records and Electives Officer will follow-up with you to clarify the status of the injury and gather any missing information.
Step 6: A NOSM University Human Resources representative will generate and submit the Form 7 (Employer Report of Injury to WSIB on your behalf).
Step 7: WSIB will follow-up with you directly by mail or telephone. For your information, the WSIB will issue you a Form 6 (Worker Report of Injury) and a Form 8 (Health Professional Report) to be completed by your treating healthcare professional.
Step 8: Claims Management: A NOSM University Human Resources representative will monitor the injury and close the file upon your return to work in a full-time capacity. After the file is closed you are expected to report any recurrence of the injury to your supervisor and to Human Resources immediately.
Prevention: Preventing needlestick and contamination injuries includes employing universal precautions, consistent use of PPE, appropriate handling and disposal of sharps, and managing fatigue-related risks. In addition, all healthcare workers should be vaccinated against HBV. Despite these measures, injuries sometimes occur. Do not panic. Review the information below.
Immediate Measures: Do not squeeze the wound. Allow it to bleed freely then wash the wound gently with soap and water. If a mucous membrane is involved, rinse with clean water for 10 minutes. If the injury is severe enough that medical attention is required, present to the nearest Emergency Department.
Occupational Health: Next, present promptly to the Occupational Health Department or after-hours service at your training site. Hospital-based Occupational Health Departments have considerable experience with these types of injuries and will walk you through the protocol including risk assessment, testing, source testing, referral for prophylaxis if necessary, and reporting.
Bracebridge
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Dryden
Dryden Regional Health Centre
1-807-223-8201 Ext. 2268
Fort Frances
Riverside Health Care Facilities
1-807-274-3261 Ext. 4521 or 1-807-274-4826
Hearst
Hôpital Notre-Dame Hospital
1-705-372-2934
Huntsville
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare
1-705-789-2311 Ext. 2772 or 3194
mahc.ca
Kapuskasing
Sensenbrenner Hospital
1-705 337-4013
Kenora
Lake of the Woods District Hospital
1-807-468-9861 Ext. 2348
Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Health Center
1-705-368-2300 Ext. 2509
mhc.on.ca/
Midland
Georgian Bay General Hospital
1-705-526-1300 Ext. 5455
North Bay
North Bay Regional Health Center
1-705-474-8600 Ext. 3033 or 3034
Parry Sound
Site Liaison Clinician (SLC)
Dr. Mara Hollingsworth
1-705-746-9382
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Area Hospital
1-705-759-3434
Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1-807-737-3030 Ext. 6585 or 6586
Sudbury
Health Sciences North
1-866-469-0822 Ext. 1010
hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/
Temiskaming Shores
Temiskaming Hospital
1-705-647-8121 Ext. 2721
Timmins
Timmins and District Hospital
1-705-267-2131 Ext. 2225 and Ext. 2174
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
tbrhsc.net/
Risk Assessment: Transfer of bloodborne pathogens to healthcare workers is extremely rare. For example, the average risk of acquiring HIV infection following a percutaneous exposure involving an HIV-infected person is approximately 0.3%. Injuries are lower risk if there is a small volume of fluid, a solid point sharp, a known source that is negative or low risk for BBPs, or a known source with a suppressed viral load. If you are serologically proven to be immune to HBV, there is sufficiently low risk of transfer that, in most cases, further testing or treatment is not required for HBV.
Source Testing: Testing of the source patient can only occur if the source is known, and if consent is obtained. Occupational Health is responsible for notifying the patient’s most responsible physician and arranging for consent. The panel for testing generally includes HBsAg, HCV serology, and HIV virology and serology.
Your Testing: HBV testing is not indicated if you have documented immunity to HBV or a history of HBV infection. Under most protocols, HBsAg and HBsAb are obtained if your vaccines are incomplete, you are a rare vaccine non-responder, or immunity has not been documented. Tests are repeated at 3 and 6 months.
HCV and HIV serology are usually obtained at the time of exposure, and again at 3 and 6 months, along with a hepatic panel. Seroconversion beyond 6 months is highly unlikely.
If at any point the source patient’s results are returned negative, further testing can be discontinued unless there is sufficient reason to believe the patient was in the seroconversion window at the time of injury.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Occupational Health will conduct a risk assessment to determine whether PEP for HBV or HIV is indicated, usually in the setting of a known positive or high-risk source. PEP should be obtained promptly in the Emergency Department.
HBV prophylaxis is a dose of HBIG after exposure and again in 1 month. The first dose is known to be effective 72 hours after exposure but should be obtained as soon as possible.
HIV prophylaxis involves several weeks of anti-retroviral medications, which should be initiated as soon as possible after exposure. Serial labs are required, and some individuals experience adverse effects that interfere with job duties. If the source is proven to be HIV negative, the PEP can be discontinued.
There is no PEP for HCV.
Health surveillance is guided by Occupational Health and may involve your primary care provider.
Reporting: Any exposure or injury that results in a positive test, time away from work, or requires healthcare access (including a visit to the Emergency Department for treatment or PEP) requires a report to Occupational health and to NOSM University Human Resources. The NOSM University Reporting Protocol is outlined on the “I have suffered a workplace injury” page.
If you have questions about the process, contact NOSM University Human Resources at hr@nosm.ca.
If this is an emergency, contact 911.
- On campus in Sudbury, call Laurentian University Security at 705-675-1151 ext. 4444.
- On campus in Thunder Bay, call Lakehead University Security at ext. 8911.
If you are too tired to drive yourself home safety after an on-call or extended shift, please do not get behind the wheel. Instead, get a ride from a friend or call a taxi to come pick you up. NOSM University will reimburse you for the cost of a taxi trip from the hospital to your residence in the same city.
Download the NOSM U Well App for a list of local taxi companies in the CCC communities.