University of the Fraser Valley

UFV launches Faculty of Health Sciences on Chilliwack campus

UFV launches Faculty of Health Sciences on Chilliwack campus

BC Health Minister Mike de Jong, UFV VP Academic and Provost Eric Davis, Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz, UFV President Mark Evered, Chilliwack MLA John Les, UFV acting Health Sciences Dean Diane Reed, UFV Chancellor Brian Minter, UFV Dean of Professional Studies Rosetta Khalideen, and UFV Board Chair Larry Stinson were all on hand for the launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFV Chilliwack campus on Sept 12.

As our population ages, the demand for professionals in the health care sector increases.  And with the Baby Boom generation approaching its senior years, this demand is expected to explode.

The University of the Fraser Valley is responding to the anticipated demand for well-educated health-care workers by launching a new Faculty of Health Sciences this fall. The Faculty brings together UFV’s existing programs in the areas of nursing, kinesiology, practical nursing, dental assisting, dental hygiene, and health care assisting. It also creates a base from which to plan more health care programs.

“Our health sciences programs have been some of our most popular and fastest growing areas in recent years, as students recognize that an education in this field will prepare them for careers in an in-demand sector,” noted UFV president Mark Evered. “We see some real opportunities for synergy, creative research initiatives, and new programming by bringing all of our health sciences programming together into one faculty.”

UFV celebrated  the new faculty with an official launch event on Monday, Sept 12, at its Chilliwack North campus on Yale Road.

Provincial Minister of Health Mike de Jong was on hand to help launch the new faculty, along with UFV president Mark Evered, VP academic and provost Eric Davis, and acting dean of health sciences Diane Reed, and UFV administrators, faculty, students, and staff.

“Health professionals are the back bone of our health care system, as any patient will tell you,” said Health Minister Michael de Jong. “The launch of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Fraser Valley supports our commitment to providing the best possible care today and for years to come for British Columbian patients and their families.”

The programs associated with the faculty, currently located at UFV’s Chilliwack North campus on Yale Road, will move to the new UFV Chilliwack campus at the Canada Education Park in Ma y 2012. Health Sciences programming will be one of the main focuses at the new Chilliwack campus.

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See photos from the event:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ufv/sets/72157627538943241/