Account Login/Registration

Access VernonNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

TRU opens state-of-the-art health-care building

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is thrilled to open the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health to train in-demand health-care workers in BC. The building has state-of-the-art practice environments and technology to keep up with changing health education.

The $37.2-million project was made possible through the support of the provincial government ($8 million), private donors ($3.6 million), the university’s capital reserves and ongoing fundraising.

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health at Thompson Rivers University

“TRU will have the capacity to improve access for students, improve the transition into the labour market, enrich research opportunities and simulate the full spectrum of health-care environments. For this, I am proud of today’s opening,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor, Brett Fairbairn.

The innovatively designed Chappell Family Building prioritizes student needs. With it, lab space for the School of Nursing has tripled from 16 to 48 beds. The three-storey building includes high-tech patient simulation labs, a home-visit lab, seminar rooms, student lounges, research space, breakout rooms and a 60-person classroom. It supports collaborative learning for interdisciplinary teams while fostering creativity and innovation.

“This new building will transform how my classmates and I learn to be the future health-care workers in BC. We are excited to use this new facility,” said fourth-year TRU nursing student, Lisa Bonang.

Critical to student success is the Dr. Sherman Jen High-Fidelity Simulation Centre, made possible through a donation of $1.5 million from Dr. Sherman Jen. Four simulation labs equipped with computerized mannequins and reflecting real health-care settings will better prepare students for working conditions and support research designed to improve health outcomes.

Faculty member Wendy McKenzie said TRU’s new lab facilities are unique in nursing education. Faculty will have unprecedented resources and technology to simulate a wide range of scenarios and observe student responses.

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>“This new space for the TRU School of Nursing will help us continue to educate and develop world-class health-care workers. This space will enable students to be work-ready once they are done their program,” said TRU School of Nursing Dean, Rani Srivastava.

The Dr. Sherman Jen High-Fidelity Simulation Centre is also home to Super Tory, a lifelike infant mannequin newly purchased this summer with dollars raised at the TRU Foundation Gala in February. For the first time at TRU, Super Tory will allow nursing students to experience simulated pediatric emergencies.

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>Nursing Practicum Students at RIHBy providing a home for the School of Nursing, the new facility brings together under one roof students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Health Care Assistant and Master of Nursing programs. Though COVID-19 prevents full in-person instruction, limited groups of students will use lab space this fall.

“This new state-of-the-art training facility will be a game-changer for health care students at TRU. Our government is committed to student success and providing education and training close to home. By investing in advanced health care technology and education, we are equipping the next generation of health professionals with the skills needed to provide British Columbians with the highest standard of health care services,” said BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Melanie Mark.

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>

Funding Partners and Donors

In addition to an $8 million investment from the Province of British Columbia, these donors have contributed significantly toward this new building. TRU is deeply grateful for this generous and impactful support and thanks to the many other donors who have contributed, and continue to help fund this building.

  • Dr. Sherman Jen
  • The Stollery Charitable Foundation
  • Spencer and Janet Bryson
  • Ken and Maureen Lepin
  • Kamloops Rotary Clubs
  • TRU Foundation Gala donors

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>

There was a significant amount of hard work and dedication by many individuals and organizations at TRU and across the region to make this building a reality. A special thank you is devoted to former President and Vice-Chancellor, Alan Shaver, for being a major proponent of the project. Former Dean of Nursing, Donna Murnaghan, was a vocal advocate who was instrumental in creating the critical program elements within the building to create a truly state-of-the-art nursing facility. The current Dean of Nursing, Rani Srivastava, was an important part because of her passion and skill in taking on the transition of this project. Colliers Project Leaders, PCL Construction and their teams were key in transforming our vision into the building we have today. Stantec Architects were instrumental in creating the kind of learning space that is essential to foster the health-care workers of the future.

<who>Photo Credit: Thompson Rivers University</who>Respiratory Therapy Donation

About the Chappell Family

With the Chappell Family name, TRU is honouring a private donation of $1.5 million and celebrating the legacy of Catherine and Edward Chappell. Catherine and Edward met in Kamloops and were married in 1938. Catherine completed her nurse training at Royal Inland Hospital and worked as a registered nurse in the BC communities of Kamloops, Michel and Fernie and became a public-health nurse. Edward worked for the Crowsnest Coal Company and was a passionate community volunteer.


At Thompson Rivers University, student success is our priority. We empower our students to reach their goals with on-campus and online learning options, individualized student services, hands-on learning opportunities and a diverse, inclusive environment.

NowMedia sponsored content is written and posted in partnership with participating businesses. While NowMedia retains editorial control of sponsored content, the content is created in collaboration with the sponsor.



Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].




weather-icon
Thu
21℃

weather-icon
Fri
23℃

weather-icon
Sat
26℃

weather-icon
Sun
29℃

weather-icon
Mon
29℃

weather-icon
Tue
29℃
current feed webcam icon

Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook