​​Health Sciences Program students from Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute take in a demonstration at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry on October 12, 2022.

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The first semester of Ross Memorial Hospital's Health Sciences Program, in partnership with Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute, concluded in mid-January 2023.

Eighteen LCVI students took part in the inaugural Health Sciences Program at the hospital as part of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board's Specialist High Skills Major Program.

The goal of the program is to introduce interested students to the many jobs within a hospital and show them that there are more opportunities to work in health care than just being doctors and nurses. It takes a multidisciplinary team of specialists including therapists, skilled trade workers, pharmacists, cooks, housekeepers, administrators, support workers, information technologists, accountants and, of course, doctors and nurses.

​Fourteen Ross Memorial employees from departments throughout the hospital provided students with a case study. They presented a scenario the students might encounter within the hospital, including a list of questions about the case. In groups, the students would research the profession, answer the questions within the case study, and present it back to the Ross Memorial staff member for review and feedback.

The resulting presentations were informed, detailed, and creative. Ross Memorial employees and the students went above and beyond to make their presentations entertaining, including mock episodes of Family Feud, Jeopardy, and a dramatic performance of 'A Christmas Carol' with a healthcare twist.

Students also went on an educational trip to the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry, where they received a tour and case study from the Vice Dean of Education. 

Complimentary to the Health Sciences Program, Ross Memorial provided a Co-operative Education placement to four LCVI students who were able to rotate through and observe departments throughout the hospital, in addition to learning basic training in skills like feeding patients and wheelchair safety.

​Ross Memorial and LCVI are continuing to work together with the intention of launching another semester of the Health Sciences Program in fall 2023. 

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