Nusha Ramsoondar, a medical student at NOSM University, has won the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award for 2022.
A news release Thursday from NOSM said the award recognizes second-year students that "exemplify perseverance, collaboration and an entrepreneurial spirit."
"Recipients have an established track record of community leadership, superior communication skills and demonstrated interest in advancing knowledge."
Ramsoondar said she was grateful for the honour.
“I feel very privileged to be a medical student at NOSM University and even more so that I’m able to support my peers through my advocacy efforts," she is quoted as saying in the release.
"I am fortunate to be part of an environment where I can grow my leadership skills. My experience here reassures me that I’m in the right field of study.”
Ramsoondar is from North Bay and completed a Bachelor of Business Administration at Nipissing University, followed by a Master of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan.
Currently, she is involved in research focusing on improving social accountability standards across health-care institutions.
“Nusha is a strong advocate for equity and anti-racism in medicine and education,” Dr. Sarita Verma, NOSM University’s president, vice-chancellor, dean and CEO, said in the release.
“She has generously volunteered her time and energy to the university’s equity initiatives. As student council vice-president of equity and inclusion, Nusha has led various educational and advocacy initiatives focused on anti-racism, bias, microaggressions, and leadership development.”
Ramsoondar was part of the student-led team that organized the Dean’s Lecture Series in 2021 titled, Racism in Medicine—a timely conversation between physicians of colour and learners on the effects of racism towards physicians and learners of colour within the health-care system and medical education system.
Having recently begun her third-year comprehensive community clerkship (CCC) in Timmins, Ramsoondar said she works to harness her passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion—particularly within the health-care field.
“I am reminded of Dr. Gigi Osler’s words during the Racism in Medicine event — words I try to remember as I continue to better my skills as a leader," she said.
"'Why not me?' I, too, have the potential for breaking glass ceilings for the marginalized individuals entering medical education behind me.”
Recipients of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Award receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a travel subsidy to attend the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Halifax, where they will have the opportunity to meet CMHF Laureates and interact with health leaders from across the country.
