MHC’s Dr. Kilbertus wins national award

MANITOULIN—Doctor Frances Kilbertus, a physician at the Mindemoya Hospital, who is an associate professor at NOSM University, has won two prestigious awards, one through NOSM University and a second,  a national award, from the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC).

“I certainly have (had a banner year). I did not expect any of this, at all,” said Dr. Kilbertus, just prior to receiving her award last Thursday at NOSM in Sudbury. “Especially since it is later in my career, it is a joy to receive these types of awards.”

The fifteenth annual NOSM University conference held last week celebrates outstanding contributions to health professions education. Dr. Kilbertus, received a Faculty Mentorship Award.

“The Faculty Mentorship Award recognizes the exemplary commitment of a clinic sciences faculty member in the mentorship of another faculty member(s). The faculty mentorship attributes include; NOSM U clinical sciences member for a minimum of five years; contributed to the success of our faculty and the university through faculty mentorship; act as an advocate for the faculty mentee(s), be a sponsor for the faculty mentee(s) (e.g. create networking opportunities; demonstrate a commitment and dedication to the faculty mentee(s) (e.g.,  the ability to offer constructive criticism and feedback); have positively impacted the faculty mentees (e.g. professional development), demonstrated compassion, empathy and enthusiasm; communicates and shares information and personal experiences; serves as an exemplary role model (e.g., high moral and ethical standards); has sustained and consistently mentored faculty mentee(s) (e.g. length of times as a mentor and the number of mentees.”

Dr. Kilbertus was nominated for the NOSM award by Dr. Maurianne Reade and three colleagues at the Mindemoya Hospital. “On the award for mentorship, Frances has been a shining example of what a mentor is, helping us along and guiding us in the right direction,” Dr. Reade told The Expositor. “She is enthusiastic, supportive and creative and she helps mentor people at all stages, from a medial school learner to us who have been practicing physicians for many years. It was a real honour to nominate Dr. Frances Kilbertus for this award.”

“Top honours for teaching, research, and community contributions were awarded to Northern Ontario health-care professionals and learners during NOSM University’s Northern Constellations conference on April 30 and May 1. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Northern Constellations is northern Ontario’s premier conference for faculty and preceptor development.”

The NOSM ceremonies recognized 11 faculty, three learners, two alumni and one honorary alumnus who have each demonstrated exemplary service and commitment to health care, medical education, and research in Northern Ontario. Recipients are honoured for advancing NOSM University’s mission by strengthening northern communities and health systems through socially accountable medical education and research.

In addition, 22 faculty promotions celebrated significant contributions to NOSM University, research communities, and health-care professionals. Promotions recognize effective and innovative teaching, research, and knowledge sharing, committee and service contributions, and leadership in university, hospital, and professional organizations.

“Every day, I see the impact of our mission in the faculty who lead with purpose, the learners who chose to train here, and the alumni who live NOSM University’s values. The leadership and commitment of these award recipients and promoted faculty make a difference in bringing quality and equitable health care to northern Ontarians,” said Dr. Michael Green, president, dean, and chief executive officer of NOSM University.

On April 17, Dr. Kilbertus was presented with a Rural Service Award by the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC). “The Rural Service Award honours physicians who have dedicated at least 10 years to living and working in rural Canada. To be eligible, recipients must have been continuous members of the SRPC for the past five years.”

Dr. Kilbertus was among 10 doctors across Canada to receive the 2026 Rural Service Award. “These physicians represent the dedication and continuity that are essential to rural health care in Canada. Their long-standing commitment to their communities continues to make a meaningful difference across the country.”

This was Dr. Kilbertus second SRPC award, as she was a 2025 Special Recognition Award, specifically the Rural Mentorship Award. “These awards honour individuals, institutions, and teams making exceptional contributions to rural medicine and health in Canada. From mentorship to leadership, education to community impact your work uplifts rural health care nationwide,” SRPC notes. Candidates are nominated by peers, mentors, or colleagues within the SRPC or may self-nominate with a supporting letter. 

“The SRPC mentorship award I won last year came about after being nominated by a group of students (she had mentored), which was very meaningful,” said Dr. Kilbertus. 

Dr. Kilbertus said, “I have been practicing and teaching medicine for over 40 years. “My relationship as a physician at the Mindemoya Hospital started in 1999 when I would do locum work for a couple weeks in the summer.” 

“I wanted to keep a rural focus, and at the time my base practice was in Ottawa, at the University of Ottawa in the Family Medicine Program,” said Dr. Kilbertus, who is originally from Montreal. “I started working in Mindemoya in 1999, doing locum work occasionally, and the Mindemoya hospital site became a NOSM U teaching site. I think it is important to recognize the unique joys and challenges of rural medicine.”

In 2014 Dr. Kilbertus said she, “Looked at various options. I was working toward obtaining a masters degree in education, and with the support of my colleagues and friends at the Mindemoya Hospital, and part-time clinical practice so I could finish my Masters of Medical Education. I have practiced in Mindemoya Hospital since 2014 and been associated with NOSM over the years as well.”

“I do my work and live on the Island,” Dr. Kilbertus said. “It is very meaningful to practice and be an educational provider (mentor), something that I had set out to do. To be recognized for these awards is very gratifying,” adding that through NOSM she helped design and implement the Rural Generalist Pathway.