As Mohawk College's Patient Partnership Program continues to evolve, interactive Q&A sessions with real patient partners have reinforced just how powerful these voices are in shaping student learning, particularly for learners headed into clinical practice.
Most recently, the Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (DCS) program hosted a patient engagement session that brought together approximately 40 students for an intimate and deeply impactful discussion. The session featured Doug Portwood, who shared his personal and unexpected healthcare journey alongside his wife, Christine (DCS Faculty). Doug spoke candidly about his triumphs and challenges within the healthcare system, offering students heartfelt insight into the moments that profoundly shape the patient experience.
Doug's story highlighted vulnerability, communication, empathy, and the emotional weight carried by patients and families navigating complex care pathways. His openness created space for reflection and connection, allowing students to better understand how their demeanor, language, and non-verbal cues can influence a patient's experience and create lasting-effects.
Following the event, several students reached out directly to share how the experience resonated with them on both a professional and personal level:
"Thank you and your husband for sharing! I feel that listening to your husband's story has helped me shape a more sensitive mindset/demeanor heading into clinicals. It also reminded me to call my grandma, as I'm sure my peers also all thought about a loved one today."
Another student reflected on how emotionally powerful the session was and how it aligned with what they have already experienced within the program:
"I was thinking about your story all day. It was totally emotional! Crying in class today was not on my bingo card!? But if I am honest, I have experienced your kind and genuine nature over the past 2 semesters, and I was truly touched by your story. Sad that you both had to experience that rollercoaster but so thankful that everything turned out well for Doug, you and your family."
These reflections demonstrate the value of integrating real patient narratives into health education as meaningful extensions of what students are already learning in the classroom.
Experiences like this help bridge theory and practice in a way that is memorable, emotional, and deeply human, ultimately shaping more empathetic, patient-centred healthcare professionals. As the program moves forward, sessions like Doug's serve as a reminder that sometimes the most impactful learning comes not only from textbooks or simulations, but from listening to the lived experiences of those we care for.
As the program looks ahead, its focus remains on deepening integration across programs, expanding opportunities for co-creation of learning materials, and continuing to elevate patient and caregiver voices in health education. In 2026, the program plans to further this work with the launch of its Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) and a teaching resource bank featuring short, five-minute patient videos that can be integrated directly into classroom learning.
For more information about the Patient Partnership Program and upcoming engagement opportunities, please visit Mohawk College's Patient Partnership webpage https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/patient-partnership
