UBC and UVic Expand Health Care Master’s Programs in Saanich

The University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Victoria (UVic) have expanded access to health care education by launching two master’s programs at the Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) in Saanich. This initiative, which began in September 2022, received a significant boost from the provincial government, which allocated $15 million for facility enhancements and an additional $9.1 million for startup and operational costs.

The new facility at VITP now accommodates 20 students enrolled in the Master of Physical Therapy program and eight students in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program. Currently, there are 56 students collectively pursuing these programs, which aim to address the growing demand for health care professionals in the region. According to Diana Gibson, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Oak Bay–Gordon Head, these programs are crucial for training skilled professionals to meet the health care needs of British Columbians.

“We’re providing more students with the training they need to succeed in in-demand jobs in allied health care,” Gibson stated. “This means more professionals will soon graduate with the skills to provide top-notch care to British Columbians.”

Students like Abby Goldschmid and Maddie Naswell highlight the personal impact of these programs. Goldschmid, in her second year of the Master of Physical Therapy program, expressed her satisfaction with the new cohort model. Growing up in Victoria, she found the opportunity to study locally a significant factor in her decision to apply.

“It just made everything a lot easier,” Goldschmid said. “I’m already settled here, my family’s here, my friends are here.” She learned about the Victoria cohort through a friend, which motivated her to pursue her studies closer to home.

The intimate cohort size of 20 students has fostered a supportive learning environment. “It feels like we’re a group of friends with mentors who are helping us, rather than just being in university,” Goldschmid added. As part of her training, she has completed a placement in Vernon and is looking forward to future practicums on Vancouver Island. “It’s really nice to make connections here,” she noted.

With over 400 job openings expected for physiotherapists in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region over the next decade, Goldschmid feels optimistic about her career prospects. “Physios in the community are always reaching out, saying ‘please come learn about our clinic.’ That feels really good as a student,” she remarked.

For Naswell, a member of the speech-language pathology cohort, the new program came at a fortuitous time. Originally planning to relocate to Vancouver for her studies, she was thrilled to discover the Saanich cohort.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Naswell said. “It just opened up here, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’m planning on staying on the Island when I graduate, so this was perfect.”

The smaller group size has provided Naswell with enhanced access to technology and mentorship. “We have so much access to all of the technology, like the audiology lab and ultrasound,” she explained. “In Vancouver, they have to share, but we don’t.”

Naswell has already completed placements in locations ranging from Whitehorse to Comox Valley Hospital. With an anticipated 140 job openings for speech-language pathologists in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region over the next decade, she is confident in her future. “I think I’ll probably end up back in the Comox Valley, maybe in a hospital, maybe in a school or private practice,” she said.

While Goldschmid, Naswell, and their 26 classmates study at VITP, another 148 students from the same programs continue their education at UBC’s Point Grey campus. This expansion represents a significant investment in health care education in British Columbia, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of care available to residents.