Moving Forward

Welcome to Health Beat, the School of Health Sciences new
electronic newsletter. In addition to the wonderful work that you do in offering excellent allied health programs, there are significant amounts of projects occurring again this year. They include:

  • 4 curriculum projects funded by the Academic Development Fund: creation of an on-line Paramedic course, creation of on-line PFT courses, an MLT review and creation of a School Simulation Team.
  • Clinical enhancement projects funded by the Health Workforce Action Plan for Respiratory Therapy (Joe MacPherson) and for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Lee Derksen).
  • IHEP (Interprofessional Health Education Partnership) project to develop interprofessional modules.
  • 4 applied research projects:
    • Randy Dreger - effect of high intensity endurance training with and without self-contained breathing apparatus on cardio-pulmonary variables.
    • Richard Poon - learning opportunities to NAIT faculty on Evidence Board Practice and establishing communities of practice in EMS and within NAIT.
    • Linda Glasier - collaborative research on the human - companion animal bond.
    • Denise MacIver, Ann Ripley & Sarah Pearce - Phase III of Simulation project in MRT that measures whether simulation reduces the time to clinical competency for a communication competency. It is exciting to note that the study will be published in the Journal of Allied Health.
    • Ian Pappin - creation of ventilator trigger.

NAIT's priorities this year include:

  • Centre for Applied Technology - now government's #1 priority. NAIT will carry on with construction drawings (which will involve SIM Centre, RT, Paramedic and DMS ) in order to be prepared for a funding announcement that we hope will happen this year. Please make this a priority when we are asked for input.
  • Sustainable Institution - as we enter an area of 0% government increases for the next 3 years, managing this will require either increasing revenues or decreasing expenses to meet the resultant monetary deficiencies. At the staff level, that means managing our resources wisely and only spending on necessary items. I am pleased to report that for the 2010/2011 budget, we will not be asked to cut our School Budget but we will also not be allowed to request any addition funding.
  • Applied Research - the ultimate goal is to create opportunities for staff/students and to create commercialization opportunities.
  • Souch Campus - expansion.
  • Academic Program approvals - critical for an educational institute to keep evolving and creating new programs to meet customer/industry need.
  • Long Term Campus Development - could in future involve Municipal airport land. In response to current space needs, NAIT has also purchased the building next to the Polish Church where the Paramedic program used to be housed. We will be asked for suggestions of what should be housed there; if you have any ideas, please let me know. Priority will be given to utilization that increases revenue or decreases costs.
  • Deferred maintenance - eventual demolition of K, L & M buildings. For this year; windows in several wings will be replaced, an Alternate Energy Centre will be created and a security system will be installed.

Highlights

  • Several accreditations are occurring this year.
  • Most programs had wonderful certification exam results.
  • Congratulations to Elaine McKay, who was inducted as the President of the Canadian Dental Assistants Association.
  • A successful Health Sciences Summer camp was held in August. However, due to low conversion rates and the high amount of effort involved, we will not participate in the future.