NOSM reports success

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine injects millions of dollars into the economies of northern communities, concludes a recently released study.

The Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research released its finding Tuesday about the social and economical impacts of NOSM in northern communities. The study shows NOSM contributed the equivalent of more than $26.7 million in Thunder Bay and $30.3 million in Sudbury during the 2007 and 2008 fiscal year.

The economic boost comes from the school’s salaries, bursaries, job opportunities and research expenses. The study also concludes that NOSM puts one dollar into the communities it serves for every dollar the school takes in from revenue.

Outside of Thunder Bay and Sudbury, other communities’ economies receive an estimated $1.4 million depending on their involvement with NOSM.

Fred Gilbert, president of Lakehead University, said the study is the first clear indication of the value of the university’s medical school at its two facilities in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.

"There’s a spin off from the fact that we have a medical school with two faculties," Gilbert said. "What the report shows very clearly is there is a social as well as an economic impact."

Gilbert said the medical school’s impact socially by allowing students to see what the quality of life and health-care needs are in the communities. He said by having students live in the area, they can spend money and contribute to the economies.

Each undergraduate student spent an average of $4,154 per year. Thunder Bay students spent a total of $315,000, while the entire NOSM student body spent a total of about $900,000.

Researchers interviewed 59 people from northern Ontario universities, health-care institutions and communities about the social and economic impact of NOSM.

Bruce Minore, research director for Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, said there is always a need to look at new initiatives and see how well it’s doing. He added that he believes the study provides concrete proof that NOSM’s approach to community driven education works.