Resident physician, Dr. Sabrina Slade, recently spent two weeks in Deer Lake and Fort Severn, two small communities north of Sioux Lookout, where she was part of a team which helped administer COVID vaccines to more than 700 community members.

Students and faculty of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) have been playing a big role in vaccinating northerners, participating in the vaccine delivery to fly-in remote communities as well as in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas.

“The experience of working with our fly in communities was something I would not change for anything. It has provided me with a chance to better understand what we can do to provide outstanding care to our patients coming to Thunder Bay from rural areas. Expanding my practice to better incorporate our more Northern areas has been something that I have always been passionate about, but even more so now.”

Dr. Slade is originally from Ottawa and is loving her time in Thunder Bay. She obtained her MD at Queen’s University and relocated in 2019 to start her residency with NOSM. In her spare time, she stays active by hiking, rock climbing, instructing spin class, and trail running with her dog. She manages a small side business called The Medicament Rx, which retails medically-inspired attire designed by herself. Her current project is a fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s ICU and COVID wards in collaboration with Ungalli Clothing Co. She is wrapping up her Master of Medical Studies with NOSM, a new program for which she is among the very first graduates.

 “At first I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into,” she laughs. “Coming from a larger city, I wanted a smaller program with fantastic one-on-one teaching and an opportunity to be directly involved in patient care from the start. What I got was much more than that: a supportive community that fosters growth, amazing learning opportunities, and a great lifestyle. Our programs are really one of the best-kept secrets. I love it here.”