Canadian Medical Association

Dr. Janice Willett

Dr. Janice Willet

Dr. Janice Willett’s leadership spans local, regional, provincial and national jurisdictions. But her biggest impact has arguably been at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), where she’s worked to amplify the voices of northern physicians within Canada’s health care and education systems.

Through her evolving role in the development of NOSM — she began by leading the women’s health faculty in the development of its curriculum — Dr. Willett’s work represents “a strong commitment to meet the needs of the community as well as produce excellent physicians.”

Dr. Willett has also been praised for her mentoring skills and for her role in ensuring faculty development is available for all teaching staff at NOSM.

She served as the first head of the school’s Clinical Sciences Division and played an integral part in the creation of an academic alternative funding plan for faculty. In her current role as associate dean of faculty affairs/continuing education and professional development, she continues to support the career and leadership development of clinical faculty members.

Dr. Willett says there are many unique challenges in mentoring effectively in Northern Ontario. Connecting faculty members and promoting diversity at NOSM requires an effective team and an engagement strategy that makes use of modern technologies.

“But the basics are that people call you when they need you and you have to be responsive.”

A graduate of Western University — where she completed postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynecology — Dr. Willett has practised in Sault Ste. Marie since 1992. She served as president of the Ontario Medical Association in 2007 and is currently chair of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS).

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