We are so delighted to hear of the Northern Physiotherapy program coming to UNBC in 2020. It was an exciting event when Minister Melanie Mark came to UNBC to make this long awaited announcement on Friday.
This means career opportunities for local students as well as greatly improved services for our citizens.
Northern Health also announced they would step up to help with the training of these prospective students. It is a well known fact that graduating students tend to stay and work close to where they trained. UNBC will be training northern students in the north for the north.
This program will help, not only to provide services to Prince George, but also to all the northern and rural communities where the shortage is even more acute.
This program is also important for the further development of UNBC.
The announcement will lead to a joint program with UBC. Therapists will then graduate with a joint UBC/UNBC degree. This is important and enables UNBC to tailor the program to the north with more Indigenous and rural components to the program.
We should like to thank everyone who has advocated over the years for this program including MLA Shirley Bond.
We thank Minister Mark and the government for promising funds to bring this program to fruition.
This is certainly an exciting day for our community. We congratulate UNBC on securing this program for the north.
Hilary Crowley
Physiotherapist
Summit Lake
