With first-class educational programs and ties to a major hospital system, The Michener Institute is ensuring that Canada’s health care system is future-ready.
When we think of health care professionals, doctors and nurses are typically who first come to mind. But there are many types of practitioners who play a vital part in Canada’s health care system, such as medical laboratory technologists, physiotherapists, radiological technologists, and respiratory therapists.
The need for these specialized health care professionals in Canada is expected to grow in the future. “The pandemic really shone a light on the critical role some of these professionals play in health care and where there were gaps,” says Lori Peppler-Beechy, Associate Head of Academic Affairs at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, a post-secondary medical education institution located in Toronto.
Graduates from Michener’s programs in respiratory therapy, cardiovascular perfusion, and medical laboratory science were in particularly high demand. As new medical areas emerge, such as data analytics and digital health, our medical education institutions must be prepared to respond.
Michener is unique in that we’re the only educational institute in Canada that’s focused entirely on health care education and the only school that’s part of a hospital.
Education programs to meet emerging health care needs
The Michener Institute of Education offers a suite of full-time, part-time, and continuing education programs in these evolving health professions within our health care system. “Michener is unique in that we’re the only educational institute in Canada that’s focused entirely on health care education and the only school that’s part of a hospital,” says Peppler-Beechy. “Our very close ties, relationships, and synergies with UHN give us the advantage of being able to adapt and respond quickly to emerging health system priorities and the needs of health care professionals.”
An exemplary case study of that ability occurred at the start of the pandemic, when a team led by Michener at UHN worked with educational experts, clinicians, academics, and others across Toronto to develop an online education package to support health care workers who were redeployed to critical care and long-term care facilities. “Because of this collaboration, we were able to deliver Phase 1 of this education package and website within 10 days, something that would typically have taken several months,” says Peppler-Beechy.
Exciting options for starting a career in health care
Michener’s ability to adapt, evolve, and respond positions the institution well to fill future gaps in health care. Michener will continue to ensure its program offerings and curricula stay relevant, have more health professionals graduate in areas of critical need, and work with UHN to identify new roles in health care for which it can provide educational support.
Continuing education will be a big part of this. “Health care education doesn’t stop when you graduate. It needs to continue as you’re practising in your chosen career, so we encourage Michener graduates to come back to learn and non-Michener graduates or graduates from other professions to continue their professional development and learning with us,” says Peppler-Beechy.
Students interested in a medical career with prospects for an exciting, secure, and in-demand job may want to consider a Michener education. “When our students graduate, they’re ready to walk in and start practising in their chosen career,” says Peppler-Beechy.
