Dr. Janice Willett's new job

NEWS RELEASE

NORTHERN ONTARIO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

*************************** NOSM announces appointments to four senior positions

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Janice Willett (shown), Dr. Elaine Hogard, Tina Vrbanac, and Miriam Lappala to senior positions.

Dr. Willett has been appointed to serve as division head of clinical sciences, assisting in the support and management of faculty resources as they relate to the teaching of both the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs.

Her longstanding interest in physician human resource management is matched by her extensive experience as a physician leader, notably as President of the Ontario Medical Association in 2007-2008, and as a member of its Board of Directors for several years.

Dr. Willett’s association with the medical school dates back to the year 2000, when she was involved with the expert panel that recommended the development of a medical school in Northern Ontario.

Later, she was instrumental in establishing an Academic Alternative Funding Plan for NOSM faculty and participated in negotiations for the governance agreement required to implement the plan.

Dr. Willett assumes her responsibilities as NOSM’s Clinical Division Head from Sault Ste. Marie, where she practices gynecology.

NOSM is also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elaine Hogard to the position of director, assessment and program evaluation, in the School’s Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) portfolio.

Dr. Hogard is located at the School’s West Campus in Thunder Bay.

She comes to NOSM from the University of Chester in England where her academic, leadership and administrative strengths were put to use in her role as professor of evaluation research and as director of the social and evaluation unit which undertook contract research regionally, nationally and internationally.

Dr. Hogard’s strong leadership qualities are grounded in the multiple responsibilities she has held in teaching, research and administration, and her academic strengths are shown in the writing of books and articles on her innovative evaluation methods which have been published in leading international journals.

Dr. Hogard will also pursue her academic interests as associate professor (program evaluation) in the NOSM’s Human Sciences division.

In addition to these appointments, Tina Vrbanac has been appointed to the position of director of postgraduate education.

Ms. Vrbanac’s experience in administration and management, and as NOSM’s director of human resources since 2007, fully prepares her for overseeing the administration of all residency training programs, and for providing strategic direction and leadership to the school’s postgraduate education portfolio.

Finally, NOSM welcomes Miriam Lappala to the position of director, admissions and learner recruitment.

Ms. Lappala’s responsibilities include overseeing all activities related to the efficient functioning of NOSM’s admissions office, and the recruitment, selection and admission of learners to NOSM programs.

With extensive experience and accomplishments in the field, first with the Schulich School of Business at York University, and then with Lakehead University, Ms. Lappala is ideally suited to the demands of the position.

NOSM Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, recognizes the advanced skills and breadth of experience that will support these candidates in their new roles.

"I am confident that the wealth of knowledge and history of achievements demonstrated by each of these individuals will serve them well in their new roles. Congratulations to Dr. Janice Willett, Dr. Elaine Hogard, Tina Vrbanac, and Miriam Lappala. I look forward to their participation in the fulfillment of the School’s mandate of contributing to improving the health of the people of Northern Ontario.”

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine.

The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario.

By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

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