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Enhanced Lab Facilities Benefit Health and Human Studies Students

March 25, 2011

An open house was held at Loyalist College on March 21st showcasing a new lab and significant facility renovations in the Schools of Health and Human Studies.  The facilities will enable students in the Developmental Services Worker, Personal Support Worker, Practical Nursing and Nursing programs to train in a state-of-the-art learning environment, using progressive techniques to prepare for the workforce.

The College is noted for providing students with interactive learning experiences in the Human Simulation Lab. Students are exposed to real-life practice scenarios with hi-fidelity human clinical simulators, developing competence and confidence in a safe, realistic learning environment. Five additional mannequin simulators have now been added to the College’s existing group of 14. Enhanced audiovisual capabilities accommodate innovative teaching and learning strategies to prepare students for an increasingly technology-based workplace. The new lab facility and a reconfigured second lab, now enable the students to more completely apply the skills they are learning in simulated hospital and home settings.

Julie Rivers, Loyalist’s Simulation Specialist, explained, “The renovations have been in the planning stages for three years. We are very excited to offer these exceptional learning environments to our students.  The renovations and additional lab space make it possible for students to obtain simulated community-setting skills that will enhance their career opportunities. In addition, the audio visual enhancements to the lab enable us to offer alternate forms of learning, assessment, and integration of technology for faculty to design learning activities for students.”

Stuart Wright, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors, said that this initiative is a testimony to the importance of innovation at the College. “To see this concept put into practice and for our partners in the Quinte region to step forward to help make this happen is absolutely splendid. Congratulations.”

“We were fortunate to receive support from many sources,” added Karen Brooks Cathcart, Dean of Health and Human Studies. “The funding to create the additional lab came from College operating funds. Mike Roy and Wayne Mancuso from Bardon’s Supplies and Bathworks donated the lab apartment’s bathroom fixtures, and the washer and dryer were contributed by Paul Tilley of Crossborder Solutions.

Julie Rivers was instrumental in the planning and execution of this initiative. She is internationally known for her expertise in simulation training and the College benefits tremendously from her continued growth and development in this field. We are always in search of ways to improve the students’ learning experience. We are confident that these newest changes will contribute to their success.”

Enhanced Lab Facilities Benefit Health and Human Studies Students

Enhanced Lab Facilities Benefit Health and Human Studies Students

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Media Contact:  Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332, e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca or Karen Brooks Cathcart, Dean of Health and Human Studies (613) 969-1913, ext. 2313

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