As our population ages and the complexity of patient needs increases, the demands on our healthcare system and skilled team members in long-term care homes continue to grow. To support this challenge, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's Department of Education & Learning, St. Joseph's Villa, in partnership with Mohawk College, is opening its new living classroom, an innovative learning environment that places health care education and training directly inside a long-term care facility.
"The living classroom immerses students in real-world senior care from day one," said Dr. Azim Gangji, vice president, academic, St. Joseph's Health System. "By learning alongside residents, families, and our experienced care teams, students gain hands-on experience, stronger clinical skills, and a deep understanding of compassionate, person-centred care."
Living classrooms allow learners to gain enhanced skills, greater confidence and a deeper understanding of senior care before heading into the workforce. As a result, this integrated model also enhances recruitment and retention in long-term care.
"Mohawk College recognized the need for a different approach to training the future of healthcare professionals, one that brings education directly into long-term care facilities and prepares students to confidently support older adults, explains Paul Armstrong, president at Mohawk College. "The living classroom is an equal benefit for everyone involved. Students experience meaningful, experiential learning; long-term care teams engage in mentorship and continuous improvement; and residents contribute to shaping the next generation of caregivers."
Originally developed under the leadership and partnership of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, St. Joseph's Villa and Mohawk College, hosting the living classroom in Hamilton provides accessible training for local students, especially those unable to travel outside the community for their education.
"This innovative training model will help us enhance recruitment and retention in long-term care, increase the number of healthcare graduates in the region and helps build a sustainable workforce to meet the needs of an aging population, said Mike Heenan, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Health System. "Together with critical partners like Mohawk College, St. Joseph's Villa is building a stronger future for senior care in Hamilton."
The living classroom was made possible through a $1.98 million Models of Care Innovation Fund grant for Centre(s) for Excellence for Specialized Clinical Training (CEST) from the Ministry of Health. The partnership of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Mohawk College was also awarded a living classroom grant from The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) and the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA) of $75,000 for this project.
This funding also supports living classrooms at other locations throughout the St. Joseph's Health System to provide leaners with hands on training designed to accelerate the readiness of graduates, expand capacity and enhance workforce development province wide.
About Mohawk College
Mohawk College is a leading institution in applied education and research. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, the college serves approximately 30,000 students annually across four major campuses. The college offers a diverse range of over 164 programs spanning disciplines such as health, engineering technology, aviation, skilled trades, business, creative studies, and climate action. In addition to its four main campuses in Hamilton, Mohawk College operates learning hubs embedded within industries, enabling students to gain practical, real-world experience.
About St. Joseph's Villa
St. Joseph's Villa is one of Ontario's largest and most innovative long term care homes. From long-term care for seniors and the most vulnerable, to convalescent care for those recovering from surgery, to respite care to support caregivers and families, to hospice care for patients and families facing a life-limiting illness, St. Joseph's Villa has been caring for the community for nearly 140 years. SJV also offers vibrant community hub offering interactive year-round Adult Day Program and independent retirement living and accommodations for those over age 55. For more information, visit www.sjv.on.ca.
About St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, a proud member of the St. Joseph's Health System, is an acute care, academic health sciences centre with three main campuses, a formalized research institute that ranks among the top 40 research hospitals in the country, and several community-based programs and services. Affiliated with McMaster University and Mohawk College, St. Joe's is the regional lead for respiratory health, kidney and urinary care and transplantation, eye medicine and surgery, and mental health and addictions care. Its Charlton campus is home to the busiest emergency department and the only psychiatric emergency service in the city. For more information, visit www.stjoes.ca.
About St. Joseph's Health System
St. Joseph's Health System is one of Canada's largest Catholic healthcare corporations serving more than two million Canadians. Our member organizations deliver care across the lifespan: from home and community care, supportive housing, acute care, long-term care, to rehabilitation and hospice care. We are home to several regional and provincial programs, including mental health and addictions and renal care, and are one of the largest providers of not-for-profit long-term care in Ontario with more than 1,000 long-term care beds and hundreds more in development.
Rooted in the 175-year legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we believe in the transformative power of mission-based healthcare. Through a system-wide commitment to caring for body, mind and spirit, we are advancing our shared mission of Unstoppable Compassion.
St. Joseph's Health System members include St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, St. Joseph's Home Care, St. Joseph's Villa Dundas (including Margaret's Place Hospice), St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre Brantford (including Stedman Community Hospice), St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph and St. Mary's Health (including St. Mary's Health @ Home). For more information, visit www.sjhs.ca.
