OCNews

It’s an investment in future students and community health, and one the Okanagan College Students’ Union (OCSU) says is even more important in light of the ongoing pandemic.

OCSU is donating $15,000 to the Okanagan College Foundation’s Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete construction of a new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus.

“It’s always good to invest in education, but the pandemic has really brought to the forefront how important nurses and other health care providers are," says Joseph Welton, OCSU board member.

“These professionals are doing incredible work and they need to be supported not just morally but also financially.”

The new Health Sciences Centre will educate eight frontline health care professions and replace a building that dates back to the 1960s.

“Having a new Centre that reflects modern health care environments will be a major benefit to students,” adds Welton.

“We’ve seen from investing in the Trades Training Complex and other past capital projects, the impact a new space has on students who feel inspired and valued.

“When these students are learning and doing well, they will go straight into our community and benefit the local community so it’s really easy to see the domino effect of this gift.”

Meri Kim Oliver, Okanagan College Vice President Students, says the donation from OCSU is inspiring and shows the strong connection that student leaders have to the College.

“This gift demonstrates the impact that students can have when they intentionally support future students in pursuit of their goals,” says Oliver.

“We appreciate the Students’ Union for supporting fellow students and contributing to our community’s health.”

Scott Girling is an OC student currently in the Health Care Assistant program with plans to work in long-term care after he graduates. Girling says learning that the Students’ Union is behind health care students is phenomenal.

“The fact that they are dedicating money to our education is amazing and a great show of support,” says Girling.

“They are demonstrating that they just want us as students to do well, and having the new Centre and equipment will make us even better prepared.”

The Okanagan College Foundation is now $1.5 million away from its $5-million fundraising goal for the Health Sciences Centre. The Foundation is inviting the public to donate and ensure health care students have access to the very best facilities and equipment when they return to face-to-face learning in the Centre this Fall.

Visit www.OurStudentsYourHealth.com to learn more.