Conestoga College is a regional and provincial leader in professional health sciences education, and offers a growing number of full-time, part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate health sciences programs.
The newest is a part-time, postgraduate Perioperative Nursing program, for certified registered nurses and registered practical nurses. Consisting of five courses plus a practicum, the program deals with perioperative skills - the practices and procedures required for nursing professionals to work effectively as part of the surgical team in preoperative, operating room and postoperative situations.
An important learning element for students in this and other Conestoga health sciences programs is the opportunity to gain experience in simulated health care settings. During the fall 2003 semester, the first ever for Perioperative Nursing, students were able to gain simulation experience at the facilities of St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener. Now, thanks to the generosity and interest of various companies and organizations, Conestoga has its own operating room skills lab at the Doon campus in Kitchener. The lab is in use as of the winter 2004 semester.
The donors were recognized at an official opening ceremony on the evening of January 13. Their contributions of equipment, materials and supplies, if purchased by the College, would have cost approximately $90,000.
The benefactors are: William Osler Health Corporation, which operates health care centres in Brampton, Etobicoke and Georgetown; Medaris Medical Inc., a Cambridge-based hospital supply and equipment company; Cardinal Health Inc. of Dublin, Ohio, a manufacturing and service firm in the medical/surgical/laboratory field; and Acart Equipment Ltd. of Mississauga, a manufacturer and supplier of health care storage/distribution equipment.
CONTACT: John Richards, 519-748-5220, ext. 3242, jrichards@conestogac.on.ca