THUNDER BAY – The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has announced a substantial donation from Barrick Gold Corporation. Earlier today, Mr. Andrew Bauman, General Manager of Barrick Gold’s Hemlo Mine presented Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM’s Dean, and Dr. Sarah Newbery, Chief of Staff at Wilson Memorial General Hospital and Physician with the Marathon Family Health Team, with a cheque for $100,000 in Marathon, Ontario. This gift represents a significant contribution to learning and health care in Northern Ontario.
Barrick Gold’s investment in Northern-trained physicians and health-professionals has several components, including:
The creation of a Learner Suite in Marathon with exam rooms and study space;
A technology infrastructure upgrade of $15,000 at the Wilson Memorial General Hospital and the Marathon Family Health Centre in Marathon;
A NOSM Student Bursary of $70,000 (with $35,000 coming from Barrick Gold and $35,000 in matching funds from the Ontario Trust for Student Support), which will be available -to NOSM learners with roots in Marathon;
A $25,000 Award to help fund recruitment initiatives for family physicians who wish to set up a practice in Marathon; and, $15,000 to support a Rural Remote Health Medical Conference.
Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM’s Dean, is grateful to Barrick Gold for helping to advance the dream of a healthier North. “Contributions supporting the Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s vision of Innovative Education and Research for a Healthier North are long-term investments in better health care for Northern Ontarians.” He continued, “We are very grateful to Barrick Gold for being part of the solution, and for the support they have shown NOSM, our learners, and our partners in Marathon.”