St. Lawrence College (SLC) is thrilled to announce the opening of its Specialty Nursing Lab on the Kingston campus made possible through the generous support of a $400,000 donation from the William James Henderson Foundation. This learning facility, equipped with advanced technology and immersive sensory learning tools, will be dedicated to specialty curriculum training for nursing students and healthcare professionals. In recognition of this outstanding donor support, the facility will be named the William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab.
"State-of-the-art healthcare facilities like this ensure SLC nursing grads are ready to respond to high-pressure situations through experiential and practical learning," said Michael Hickey, The William James Henderson Foundation. "We are proud to support this important new lab that will enable new programming and training."
Left to right: Glenn Vollebregt, SLC President and CEO; Michael Hickey, the William James Henderson Foundation; and Laralea Stalkie, Dean of Health & Wellness & Community Services officially open the William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab
"The Specialty Nursing Labs on the Kingston and Brockville campuses will enable our healthcare academic team to deliver specialized training and provide students with hands-on experience in simulated specialty environments, equipping them for success in their careers," said Dr. Barb LeBlanc, Associate Vice President, Academic. "These state-of-the-art labs will benefit our students and become a hub for upskilling and reskilling healthcare professionals from Eastern Ontario and beyond."
"With more than half of our programs dedicated to healthcare and related fields, SLC remains deeply committed to preparing the next generation of the global healthcare workforce," said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of SLC.
"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Henderson Foundation, whose support is both inspiring and transformative," Vollebregt added. "Their gift will have a lasting impact on the communities, families, and individuals served by SLC graduates throughout their careers. The William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab marks a critical advancement in helping us continue to meet the pressing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in our region and beyond."
The William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab will create opportunities for students to practice responses to urgent and high-pressure healthcare scenarios, helping to ensure they graduate with the skills and confidence to excel in their careers. The lab will also host workshops and training sessions for current healthcare providers, further enhancing the quality of care available in Eastern Ontario.
This openings of the William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab in Kingston on December 3 and a new Specialty Nursing Lab in Brockville on December 17 and the Tom and Gail Kaneb Family Foundation Paramedic Simulation Centre last May mark the completion of SLC's donor-supported upgrades to its health sciences learning spaces on all three campuses announced in May 2023.
The introduction of these high-quality learning spaces underscores SLC's dedication to excellence in healthcare education and addressing the critical need for skilled professionals in the field. These state-of-the-art facilities represent a collaborative achievement, made possible by the generosity of donors and the commitment of the college's healthcare education team. As SLC continues to invest in innovative learning environments, it reaffirms its role as a leader in training future healthcare providers and supporting the professional growth of practitioners across Eastern Ontario and beyond.
