Prime Highlights-
- McMaster, NOSM roll out Northern Practice Pathway to ease rehabilitation shortages in Ontario.
- New program gives Northern Ontario students housing, relocation, and training support.
Key Facts-
- Pathway spans occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology placements up North.
- Program takes up to 14 students yearly, backed by Ontario Ministry of Health funding.
Background-
McMaster University’s School of Rehabilitation Science and NOSM University have introduced a new initiative called the Northern Practice Pathway, built to help rehabilitation sciences students from Northern Ontario train closer to home and settle into careers within the region.
The pathway grows out of a long-running partnership between the two institutions and targets the persistent shortage of rehabilitation services across Northern Ontario.
Under the initiative, students in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology will receive clinical placements in the North, along with housing and relocation help during their training period.
Dr Céline Larivière, Provost and Vice-President, Academic at NOSM University, said learners who train in Northern communities come away with direct exposure to the region’s distinct healthcare needs, an experience that shapes their approach to practice and draws them toward long-term careers there.
Dr Mike Ravenek, Director, Health Sciences and Program Development at NOSM University, pointed to the high number of unfilled rehabilitation jobs across Northern Ontario and said the pathway will help the university better meet the needs of learners and communities as regional health demands continue to shift.
Funding for the program comes from existing support through the Ontario Ministry of Health. Students chosen for the pathway will spend most of their clinical training in Northern Ontario and receive help with travel and relocation costs, guaranteed housing, and focused coursework on Indigenous and Francophone health needs.
Dr Sarah Wojkowski, Vice-Dean, Health Sciences and Executive Director, School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, said the program cuts down obstacles for students and gives them the tools and confidence to build careers in the North once they graduate.
The pathway will take in up to six occupational therapy students, six physiotherapy students, and two speech-language pathology students each year.
