Press Release – For Immediate Release, January 23, 2025
Press Release – January 23, 2025
Press Release
For Immediate Release
The National Consortium for Indigenous Medical Education Transitions to the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education with the Support of Health Canada.
January 23, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – The National Consortium for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) is proud to announce its transition to a national not-for-profit, the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME). This transition marks the beginning of Phase II, reflecting its expanded reach and growing commitment to advancing Indigenous medical education across Canada.
As part of this important transition, NCIME is excited to announce that Health Canada’s Health Care Policy and Strategies Program has awarded the organization $4.6 million over the next three years to support its efforts in advancing Indigenous representation and leadership in medical education.
“The support from Health Canada is instrumental in helping us build a stronger, more inclusive medical education system,” said Dr. Sarah Funnell, Chair of NCIME. “With this new funding and our transition to not-for-profit status, NCIME is poised to impact Indigenous medical education in Canada profoundly. This funding will allow us to expand our mandate and ensure that Indigenous students are supported throughout their academic journeys and beyond. NCIME remains committed to creating medical education in Canada inclusive of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing and improving healthcare access and outcomes for Indigenous communities across Canada.
As NCIME enters Phase II, the organization will be governed by a Board of Directors influenced by Indigenous governance practices. It will be guided by a distinctions-based Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council and an Academic Advisory Council composed of leading Indigenous medical education leaders, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives and values remain at the core of its work.
Dr. Funnell, Chair of NCIME, is also pleased to announce that the organization is actively seeking an Indigenous Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead NCIME in this next phase of growth and impact. The current Executive Director will transition to a new role as Executive Director- Academic, where they will focus on academic initiatives and program development.
“This is an exciting time for NCIME as we continue to grow and expand our impact,” said Dr. Danielle Soucy, current Executive Director of NCIME. “Our new structure and resources will allow us to build on our successes, provide even greater support to Indigenous learners, and continue fostering collaboration across the medical education community. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome a new CEO who will help drive our mission forward while ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and leadership remain central to our work.”
About the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME)
The National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing Indigenous representation in medical education. NCIME works to create and support pathways for Indigenous students to pursue careers in the medical field and strives to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Indigenous communities across Canada.
Contact Information:
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Attention: NCIME Chair
Email: communications@ncime.ca
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January 23, 2025