SAINT JOHN – For more than four decades, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) has been a driving force in New Brunswick’s economic and social prosperity. NBCC’s programs, services and initiatives support the aspirations of individual learners, further the opportunities of the labour market and, in collaboration with partners, enable solutions for the challenges of communities and industry.
One of those partners is the Saint John Regional Hospital, the largest tertiary care hospital in New Brunswick and the flagship facility of the Horizon Health Network. For years, the Saint John Regional Hospital has partnered with the Saint John Campus of NBCC in a mutually beneficial relationship.
“The relationship with NBCC has existed for as long as both facilities has existed,” said Brenda Kinney, Executive Director of the Saint John region of Horizon Health. “It’s a relationship that developed out of necessity; we depend on having a work force that is prepared by NBCC.”
For decades, NBCC graduates in the health care, administrative and trades fields have found work at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Before they graduate, they also benefit from use of training equipment donated by the Saint John Regional Hospital, use of hospital resources, practicum placements and support for applied research projects.
“Applied research at NBCC has really grown the last 10 to 15 years, and that’s led to a really good partnership between NBCC, the University (of New Brunswick at Saint John) and us as a living lab,” said Kinney. “Our co-location here in Tucker Park has really opened up lots of opportunities between partners.”
In celebration of the partnership between the College and the hospital, NBCC Saint John has awarded its first Industry Partner Award to the Saint John Regional Hospital. The award recognizes the hospital’s consistent and dedicated support of NBCC learners and alumni.
“We’re thrilled to receive this award,” said Kinney. “It’s an absolutely wonderful recognition of a very important partnership, one that both parties benefit from. We are very happy to be in partnership with NBCC.”
