It’s a new era for health care education in northern B.C. as the College of New Caledonia (CNC) celebrates the official opening of its Northern Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
This is the second provincially funded sonography program in the entire province and the first in northern B.C.
To break it down, diagnostic medical sonography is simply the proper term for the use of imaging by ultrasound for medical diagnosis.
“Students said to me loud and clear that they want educational opportunities close to home,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, who was at CNC on Jan. 8 to officially open the program with a ribbon-cutting event.
“It is my honour to be here investing in students that are going to be helping diagnostic healthcare and ensuring that people don’t have to access that healthcare in the Lower Mainland,” said Mark.
Students demonstrating the new equipment at @cnc_bc_ca’s Sonography Lab #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/IBXWJUYmi4
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) January 28, 2019
On Jan. 7, the first class of CNC’s new sonography program began their studies at the college’s new sonography lab where the province has invested $640,000 for the program plus $1.5 million in capital for the equipment needed to outfit the new lab.
“There are approximately eight vacancies for sonographers across the north as we stand here today,” said Dr. Glenda Vardy Dell, CNC Dean of Health Sciences.
“This new program will help to address those shortages as well provide additional opportunities for our young people to engage in a productive career path and to remain working closer to their home communities.”
She said all but one of the eight students from the new program has a northern address.
“Our hope is that we can find a partner for that one student so that she will remain in the north,” laughed Vardy Dell, before adding “Once our graduates start to fill those vacancies and backfill upcoming retirements northern health residents will not have to wait so long for ultrasound services.”
Sara Wiggins, one of the eight sonography students. spoke about her experience in the new program.
“Growing up I always knew I wanted to work in the health care field,” said Wiggins, who is originally from Quesnel.
“I had considered going south to BCIT because it was the only sonography program in B.C. so when I heard that CNC was going to offer the sonography program I got really excited. I checked CNC’s website every day to see if the application deadline had been posted.”
Wiggins said they are a month into the new program and it’s been hard work but a remarkable experience.
Student Sara Wiggins speaking at the grand opening of @cnc_bc_ca’s new sonography program. #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/kpiE8TLXju
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) January 28, 2019
Dr. Shyr Chui, who is a radiologist at UNHBC and the medical imaging lead for Northern Health, took a moment to reflect on the importance of sonographers and this first group of students.
“You are breaking a trail that countless generations of future sonographers will pass in your footsteps and breaking a trail is always hard work,” he said to the sonography students.
“I want you to look forward to the day you graduate and start work. On that day you will join what is arguably the noblest of vocations known collectively has health care, but also by its other names such as healing the sick and relieving their suffering. To simply participate in this is our great privilege.”
Chui said that Northern Health will also partner with CNC to provide clinical placements for the students in the sonography program.
