A prominent leader in Niagara’s healthcare sector got an inside look at applied learning within NC’s Myhal School of Nursing, along with a vision for the future that will help address the critical need for more workers.
Niagara Health’s Executive Vice-President, Practice, Clinical Support, and Chief Nursing Executive Simon Akinsulie visited NC’s Applied Health Institute at the Welland Campus on May 15 – his first visit to the College.
“As it is National Nursing Week and we have recently announced our health expansion and extraordinary donation from the Myhal family, I invited Simon to come and join us so that he could meet some of the staff, see the students and visit our amazing labs, which we will be expanding,” said Dean of Health Sciences Sinéad McElhone.
The tour was led by McElhone, Associate Dean of Nursing and PSW Courtney Evers, along with Sarah McGeown, Associate Director, of International Nursing Graduate Studies and Clinical Education, who offered an overview of how the College’s focus on applied learning prepares students to hit the ground running in the healthcare sector.
Akinsulie also learned about the College’s vision for a new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building expansion, which aims to address shortages in frontline healthcare by graduating more nurses, PSWs, paramedics, dental hygienists, and pharmacy technicians; as well as to create new partnerships with local healthcare providers. They discussed how, as the urgent need for front-line healthcare workers continues to grow, the expansion will enable the College to expand program capacity and instructional space for in-demand programs in a broad range of health-care disciplines – from nursing to dental, to pharmacy technician and more.
“This is a transformative moment for nursing and allied health education at Niagara College … When local students are trained here and stay here, everyone in the community benefits.”– Simon Akinsulie, Chief Nursing Executive, Niagara Health |
Plans for the 70,000-square-foot expansion to the existing Applied Health Institute will include instructional learning spaces, additional space for Virtual Reality teaching and learning, as well as clinics that are accessible to the public (such as a relocated Dental Clinic, Massage Therapy clinic, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant clinic). It will also free up space in the existing building for expanded nursing labs to allow for increased capacity.
Akinsulie applauded plans to expand the Applied Health Institute.
“This is a transformative moment for nursing and allied health education at Niagara College with their planned expansion. When local students are trained here and stay here, everyone in the community benefits,” said Akinsulie. “Niagara Health is proud to support the College and next generation of healthcare professionals who will care for us, our families and our future.”
During the tour, Akinsulie had an opportunity to walk through a Practical Nursing Health Assessment lab while class was in session and interact with second-term students.
“It’s inspiring to witness the passion and professionalism of Niagara College’s nursing students and staff first-hand,” said Akinsulie. “In the face of ongoing healthcare staffing challenges, programs like those offered by the College are critical to ensuring a strong, sustainable future for patient care in our region.”
“It was an honour to welcome Simon Akinsulie today to help us celebrate Nursing Week, our nursing students, and the amazing team of nurses at Niagara College and across the Niagara region,” said Evers. “Our team of nurses, in roles of Lab Technologists, Clinical Supervisors, Faculty, and Administration, work tirelessly every day to support, educate, and inspire the future of our profession.”
College administrators expressed gratitude to Akinsulie and the Niagara Health team for their support for NC nursing students.
“Hundreds of nursing students are placed at Niagara Health every term where they have the opportunity to learn and grow into their vocation while caring for patients and families,” said Evers. “Niagara Health is a trusted and valued partner as we work together to graduate compassionate and highly skilled nurses to serve Niagara.”
Photos: College President Sean Kennedy, Academic Fiona Allan, Dean of Health Sciences Sinéad McElhone, Associate Dean of Nursing and PSW Courtney Evers, and Associate Director of International Nursing Graduate Studies and Clinical Education Sarah McGeown,welcome Simon Akinsulie (Chief Nursing Executive, Niagara Health) to the Applied Health Institute for a tour on May 15.
Call to nursing
Practical Nursing students who were busy practicing vital sign assessments in the Health Assessment Lab during Akinsulie’s visit shared how their desire to help others inspired them to enrol in the program.
“I wanted to be a nurse because it’s compassionate. You get to meet new people, you get to learn about illness, and help people actually get well,” said Burlington resident Sophia Omilin. “There’s a lot of people that need help, and it’s about being there, and being front and centre with them, and comforting them during of their hardest times.”
Aby Omotosho enrolled in the program from Nigeria. “I have a Genetics degree from 2016 and that made me want to do more for people,” she said. “As we get older, as we get sick and in that vulnerable state, we realize that we need somebody to be there for us. And I want to be that person for somebody.”
Term 2 Practical Nursing students practice vital sign assessments in their Health Assessment lab.
Together campaign
The expansion is a cornerstone of the College’s historic Together Campaign – the largest fundraising campaign in NC history – expected to break ground this year, to be completed during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Myhal School of Nursing
A leader in nursing education, NC has been delivering its well-established two-year Practical Nursing diploma program since 2006, which prepares students for career opportunities as registered practical nurses.
In Fall 2024, the College welcomed the first intake of students into its Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The four-year degree program was launched to expand options for students in nursing education and help meet the urgent demand for more registered nurses in Niagara and beyond.
The Myhal School of Nursing, prepares students for rewarding careers in nursing and Personal Support Worker, and offers post-graduate programs for internationally educated nurses in Gerontology, Palliative Care – Multidiscipline, Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management, and Community Mental Health – Multidiscipline.
Formerly the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker, it was renamed the Myhal School of Nursing in April 2025 in recognition of a transformational $5-million gift from the Myhal Family Foundation. The gift supports the College’s Applied Health building expansion and the creation of new student scholarships through its Together campaign.
National Nursing Week
The visit took place during National Nursing Week May 12-18. Through the week, the Canadian Nurses Association highlights the incredible impact nurses have in shaping health care, driving innovation, and advocating for patient-centred care.
Centered around International Nurses Day, (May 12), the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth – National Nursing Week serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of nurses across Canada and around the world. This year’s theme is: The Power of Nurses to Transform Health. The week also includes Indigenous Nurses Day on May 6 and International Nurses Day on May 12.
Nursing staff from Health Wellness and Accessibility Services host a booth in the Applied Health Institute foyer for National Nursing Week.
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