Niagara College is ready to welcome a historic gathering of regional healthcare leaders to speak directly to its student body.
The speaker series conference, “Connected Care: The Landscape of Preparing Today’s Learners for Tomorrow’s Healthcare System” will be held on March 30 at the Welland Campus Applied Health Institute. Organized by the College’s Myhal School of Nursing in partnership with its Centre for Research in Education, the event marks the first time a collection of Niagara’s high-profile health leaders will gather specifically to speak to more than 200 students from a variety of health-related programs – from nursing and personal support worker, to paramedicine, dental, pharmacy and more.
Attendees will hear from speakers across hospital leadership, community care, applied research, and emergency medical services, about the rapidly evolving realities of modern practice, offering insights to support their future careers.
“This conference represents a significant milestone for Niagara College. For the first time, we have assembled a collection of high-profile industry giants specifically to help prepare our students for the rapidly shifting realities of healthcare,” said Dr. Holldrid Odreman, Program Coordinator for NC’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program.
“As healthcare becomes increasingly decentralized – extending beyond hospital walls, into the community and the homes of patients – adaptability and resiliency will be key for the next generation of healthcare professionals to succeed in this changing landscape.”
The event will include keynote speeches from Simon Akinsulie (Chief Nursing Executive, Niagara Health) and Karen Lutz-Graul (Chief, Niagara EMS).
“I’m honoured to participate. Healthcare is evolving rapidly – now more than ever, given some of the pressures that we have experienced over the last few years,” said Lutz-Graul, who is also a graduate of NC (Ambulance and Emergency Care,1990). “Students need to feel as though they have the foundation they need to start their careers and they need to hear it from their system leaders.”
Students will have a chance to pose questions to an industry panel including Carolyn Dyer (Executive Director, REACH Niagara), Charity Beland (Manager, Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation, Niagara Health), Frank Ruberto (Executive Director, Niagara Medical Group, Family Health Team) and Sean Simpson (Pharmacist, Simpson’s Pharmasave).
It will also shine a spotlight on student research opportunities at the College with a session jointly led by Director of Research from Niagara Health Elaina Orlando and second-year student in NC’s BScN program, Christian Baltus. Baltus, who is an alumnus of NC’s Pre-Health Sciences program (2017) and part of the planning committee for the event, looks forward to sharing information about research projects he has been involved with and the benefits of engaging with research as a student.
“Healthcare today is more complex, fast-paced, and patient-centered than ever before. Students must be equipped not only with clinical skills, but also with critical thinking, adaptability, and the ability to engage in evidence-informed practice,” said Baltus. “By exposing students to research early in their training, we empower them to become not just competent clinicians, but also future leaders, educators, and advocates within the profession.”
WHAT
Connected Care: The Landscape of Preparing Today’s Learners for Tomorrow’s Healthcare System
WHEN
Monday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
9 a.m. Opening remarks
9:20 a.m. Keynote Speaker, Niagara Health Chief Nursing Executive, Simon Akinsulie
9:50 a.m. Break
10:10 a.m. Expert panel
Carolyn Dyer (Executive Director, REACH Niagara), Charity Beland (Manager, Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation, Niagara Health), Frank Ruberto (Executive Director, Niagara Medical Group, Family Health Team) and Sean Simpson (Pharmacist, Simpson’s Pharmasave).
11 a.m. Break
11:20 a.m. Research focused presentation, Niagara Health Director of Research Elaina Orlando and NC BScN student, Christian Baltus
1:10 p.m. Keynote Speaker, Niagara EMS Chief Karen Lutz-Graul
WHERE
Niagara College Welland Campus
100 Niagara College Boulevard, Welland, Ont.
Applied Health Institute Auditorium (AH141)
Media inquiries, please contact:
Julie Greco
Communications Consultant
905-328-2532
[email protected]