UBC and UVic Launch Health Care Masters Program on Vancouver Island

The University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Victoria (UVic) have expanded their collaboration by launching two health care master’s programs in Saanich, Vancouver Island. Announced in September 2022, this initiative received a significant investment of $15 million from the provincial government for leasing, renovations, and equipping the new facility at the Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP). An additional $9.1 million has been allocated for startup and operational expenses, enabling the training of future health care professionals in the region.

Each year, the new facility accommodates 20 students in the Master of Physical Therapy program and eight students in the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program, with a total of 56 current enrollees. According to Oak Bay–Gordon Head MLA Diana Gibson, this development will significantly boost local employment in allied health care. “We’re providing more students with the training they need to succeed in in-demand jobs in allied health care,” she said. “This means more professionals will soon graduate with the skills to provide top-notch care to British Columbians.”

The impact of these programs extends beyond numbers, as students like Abby Goldschmid and Maddie Naswell find personal connections and career opportunities in their communities. Goldschmid, a second-year student in the Master of Physical Therapy program, expressed her enthusiasm for the local option. “It just made everything a lot easier,” she stated, highlighting her roots in Victoria. The smaller cohort size fosters a supportive learning environment, allowing students to develop friendships and strong mentorship relationships.

Goldschmid has already engaged in a placement in Vernon but looks forward to remaining on Vancouver Island for her upcoming practicums. “As part of being in the Victoria cohort, we have to do three placements on Vancouver Island, so it’s really nice to make connections here,” she explained. With over 400 job openings projected for physiotherapists in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region over the next decade, she feels optimistic about her future in the field. “It feels like we’re wanted,” Goldschmid added, noting the community’s eagerness to welcome new professionals.

Naswell, one of the eight students in the Speech-Language Pathology program, found the timing of the new cohort fortuitous. Growing up in the Comox Valley, she was ready to relocate to Vancouver for her studies when she discovered the local option. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she recalled. The program’s small group size has provided her with exceptional access to equipment and mentorship, enhancing her educational experience. “We have so much access to all of the technology, like the audiology lab and ultrasound,” Naswell noted, contrasting her experience with larger programs in Vancouver where resources are often shared.

With 140 job openings forecasted for speech-language pathologists in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region over the next ten years, Naswell envisions a bright 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 stated, reflecting on her commitment to the region.

While Goldschmid, Naswell, and their classmates thrive at the VITP, a larger cohort of 72 speech-language pathology students are based at UBC’s Vancouver campus, along with 240 physical therapy students training at various sites in Vancouver, Surrey, and Prince George. This partnership not only strengthens health care education in British Columbia but also meets the pressing demand for qualified professionals in the local health care system.