College unveils new Fort St. John healthcare lab

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Lights College (NLC) has unveiled a new health lab at its Fort St. John campus.

In a news release, NLC said the lab is part of its ongoing dedication to increasing healthcare education in the north.

The lab includes six beds, donated by the Fort St. John and District Palliative Care Society and Northern Health, according to NLC.

It sits on the top floor of the Jim Kassen Industry Training Centre. Prior to being transformed into a healthcare lab, it was an underutilized computer lab, NLC said. 

Nicole Dahlen, dean of health sciences and human services at NLC, says the lab is designed to provide a safe learning space for students.

“A space where mistakes are not final, but education,” said Dahlen. “By investing in this space, we are investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals in the northern community.”

Previously, students from the Fort St. John campus had to travel down to Dawson Creek to use the nursing lab on that campus. 

Todd Bondaroff, president and CEO of NLC, says an increase in demand allowed it to open a second health lab.

“It’s really exciting for us to be able to not only be at capacity where we have existing programming, but now we’re looking at expanding,” said Bondaroff. 

According to NLC, enrollment in its health sciences programs has increased by around 150 students each year. 

Fort St. John Mayor Lillia Hansen celebrated the opening of the lab on Facebook. 

“A great day for Northern Lights College and our region!” Hansen wrote. “The new health lab in Fort St. John means more students can learn close to home and build their careers here.” 

The lab was unveiled on March 17th at NLC’s Fort St. John campus. 

Bondaroff says the NLC also has plans to expand healthcare programs in both Chetwynd and Fort Nelson as well. 

The new lab was supported by the NLC Cares initiative, a program designed to develop new allied health programming in northern B.C.