In addition to Algoma Public Health, Group Health Centre and Sault Area Hospital, there’s a fourth location where NOSMU could set up when it opens here in 2027
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker says his lips are sealed on where NOSM University could end up in the Sault.
In addition to Algoma Public Health, Group Health Centre and Sault Area Hospital, there’s a fourth location where Northern Ontario School of Medicine University could set up when it opens here in September 2027.
“There is another possible location being looked at. I don’t think it’s public information yet,” Shoemaker said yesterday after the province announced that the Sault is one of 16 communities receiving a teaching clinic.
Each clinic will get up to $500,000 to support planning work, said a news release issued by the Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones.
The clinics will train family medicine residents in a team-based model alongside other health-care professionals, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses.
They will offer training that combines direct patient care with hands-on learning in team-based environments, all while providing primary care for an additional 300,000 people.
A $100,000 feasibility study aimed at bringing a clinical campus to Sault Ste. Marie helped identify the three potential locations last May.
A lot of planning and advocacy went into preparing the report, Shoemaker said.
The report described the community’s needs and how the school could help the Sault “be more well placed to attract physicians in the future,” Shoemaker said.
The report laid the groundwork for this week’s announcement, he said.
“That is just evidence of a well-thought-out and well-planned report, but in relatively short order . . . that report was only completed mid-last year and we’ve already seen results from it.”
Shoemaker said this process began roughly two years ago when Group Health Centre derostered thousands of patients.
“That really was the impetus for this report because of the situation – and the critical need for the attraction and retention of physicians.”
The city “saw this as the path forward to make sure that we’re getting more learners here, who will then decide that this is the place they want to live and practice.
“The seed that was planted two years ago is starting to grow and bear fruit,” he said.
When NOSMU launches here, it will start with eight students.
Shoemaker says he hopes it will continue to grow from there.