Loyalist College opens new wing

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Desks and blackboards have turned into ambulances and hospital beds as Loyalist College redefines the meaning of hands-on learning.

Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith, Sault Ste Marie MPP Ross Romano and other local leaders had a hands-on first responder experience thanks to Loyalist College and its newly opened Northumberland Wing. The newly renovated $3.2 million floor features innovative, experiential learning spaces with interprofessional simulation centres, high-tech classrooms, and state-of-the-art student spaces.

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“This beautifully renovated wing is where our future healthcare, human services and public safety leaders collaborate and learn. It’s also where our community partners upgrade their skills and advance their knowledge,” said president and CEO of Loyalist College, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan.

The renovation comes thanks to funding from the federal and provincial governments as well as Loyalist itself.

“All of this was made possible through a $2.4 million dollar government investment in 2016. Of which $1.6 million came from the federal government, $800,000 from the government of Ontario and an additional $800,000 contributed from Loyalist,” said Vaughan.

The modern and high tech classrooms will be put to good use. Since 2017 Loyalist has been steadily increasing its educational programs concerning health and services.

“This is just the beginning of program growth at Loyalist,” said Vaughan. “In 2017 we launched a two year paramedic Ontario college diploma program at our Belleville campus. In 2018 we welcomed the first class of the college’s two year occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant program. This September, the college will launch its new care of vulnerable populations post graduate program.”

With the new facilities enhancing the realism of applied learning, Loyalist invited the MPPs and local leaders in the audience to participate in some real world scenarios their students learn everyday. First starting in an operating room, Belleville mayor Mitch Panciuk and Todd Smith both took turns as they provided first aid CPR to a simulated patient who just lost their pulse.

“I’ve gone on training exercises with the OPP and police services before. You get that exhilarating experience, your heart starts to pound a little bit harder. The same type of experience happens here even though you know it’s a simulation. There are some really good actors in there as well that kind of make you feel like you’re in a real life situation and you sense the urgency and pain that they’re in,” said Smith.

Afterward the crowd migrated to a first responder scene where a live actor simulated injuries suffered from a fall.

“It’s really great to have that type of practical experience and get that here in a setting where you can be corrected when you’re not doing something entirely the right way by the professionals and faculty that are here,” said Smith.

With applied learning in state of the art facilities, those living in the Bay of Quinte can rest easy knowing the future of their first responders and caregivers is in good hands.

“In the updated Northumberland Wing, where students collaborate on interprofessional projects and applied research, we’ve been able to extend our program offerings, learning experiences and educational outcomes to respond to the labour market and drive social economic growth in the Bay of Quinte region,” said Vaughn.