History of Health Studies

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  • In 1986, Nursing and Psychiatric Nursing programs came to Brandon University with the announcement of funding for two post-diploma programs. These programs were originally housed in the Faculty of Science in the new Department of Nursing and Health Studies located in McMaster Hall.  Students who were already Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses and upon successful completion of the two-year programs were provided with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N.) or a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health (B.Sc.M.H.).  52 students were admitted during that first year.
  • In Fall 1987, the Department of Nursing and Health Studies moved into newly renovated space in the lower level of McMaster Hall. This included two classrooms, a laboratory and observation room, reception area, photocopy room, main office, four faculty offices, and a faculty lounge.
  • Spring 1988 was the first graduating class from these post-diploma programs.
  • In 1995, Canada’s first four year baccalaureate program in Psychiatric Nursing (B.Sc.P.N.) joined the two post-diploma programs at Brandon University. Physically, this program remained at the Brandon Mental Health Centre (BMHC) until 1998 where the Psychiatric Nursing Diploma program had been housed since 1920.
  • In 1997, the three programs left the auspices of the Faculty of Science and the School of Health Studies was established. Dr. Linda Ross became the first Dean of the new School of Health Studies.
  • In September 1998, the Psychiatric Nursing program housed at BMHC, and the post-diploma programs, housed in McMaster Hall, moved into the renovated School of Health Studies Building on the Brandon University campus (formerly the home of the Music Building and Student Services). Having every one under one roof fostered collaboration and cooperation amongst the faculty and assisted both students and faculty in becoming more integrated into the university community.  The opening of the Health Studies Building was held on Friday, October 30, 1998, and was well attended by students, alumni, dignitaries and members of the university.
  • In 1998, the School began to offer the first two years of its BScPN program by distance to Winnipeg, in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg. Students could complete the psychiatric nursing courses through distance delivery and their required Arts and Science courses at the University of Winnipeg. Students were required to relocate to Brandon for Years 3 and 4 of the program. Office space was rented on the 7th floor of the Rice Financial building and classroom space was rented across the street at the University of Winnipeg.  Over time, additional faculty members were located in Winnipeg to accommodate teaching Years 3 and 4 of the B.Sc.P.N. program on-site.
  • Also in 1998 the First Nations and Aboriginal Counseling (FNAC) program was established as a “stand alone” program, although it was housed in the Health Studies Building and was responsible to the Dean of Health Studies. This program was first proposed by the Manitoba Aboriginal Educational Counseling.  The program was formulated using First Nations and Aboriginal holistic approaches to counseling, healing and community.
  • In March 2001, the province announced $5 million to expand its nursing program facilities and bring the 4-year B.N. degree to Brandon University. On September 19, 2003 the new Health Studies Complex was officially opened just in time to welcome faculty, staff and students to the new Bachelor of Nursing program.
  • In 2001/2002 Dr. Norma Wylie served as a Stanley Knowles Visiting Professor in Palliative Care, Faculty of Health Studies, Brandon University.
  • In 2005, additional funding was received to expand the student capacity for the B.Sc.P.N. in Winnipeg. This included hiring additional faculty and staff and a need for permanent space.  Renovations began to take place early in 2006 to the lower level of the Rice Financial building.  The new space included two classrooms, student lounge, faculty and staff offices and lounge, a counseling room, a laboratory and a student computer area.  The official opening was on August 28, 2006 and classes began a week later.
  • May 2007, the new Bachelor of Nursing program graduated its first cohort of B.N. students from Brandon University.
  • On August, 1, 2008, Dr. Dean Care began his tenure as the second Dean of the School of Health Studies. Dr. Care came to Brandon University from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba.
  • In Fall, 2008 an official opening was held for the newly renovated laboratory space in the lower level of the Health Studies building.
  • On June 9, 2009, the Senate of Brandon University approved that the First Nations and Aboriginal Counseling (FNAC) program be situated within the School of Health Studies. This move to the School of Health Studies was one of the recommendations put forward by an External Review Committee team that evaluated the FNAC program.  It also recommended a name change of the program and revised curriculum.  In September 2010 the new Indigenous Health and Human Services (IHHS) program accepted its first students.
  • In September 2009, the Health Studies Seminar Series was launched. This seminar series provides opportunities for faculty to share their research activities and develop a community of scholars in Health Studies.
  • In 2009, the Faculty applied for and received funding from the Manitoba Government to establish 12 seats for LPNs to access the B.N. and/or B.Sc.P.N. programs.
  • In 2010, Brandon University was approved to establish a Masters of Psychiatric Nursing (MPN) program – the first of its kind in Canada. It remains the only such Master’s program in the country. In January 2011, the program admitted 13 students on a part-time and full-time basis.  The program was funded for total of eight full time seats for students, although that number has been exceeded for several years.  Delivery of the program is based on a combination of alternative delivery formats, but is primarily delivered online.  The MPN program is designed for professionals who are seeking advanced practice roles in administration, clinical practice, or education.
  • In July 2012, the School of Health Studies became the Faculty of Health Studies. To achieve the status of Faculty, a number of  criteria had to be met, including having “an independent School Council reporting directly to the Senate”, reaching a sizeable number of students and faculty, implementing graduate programs, carrying out noteworthy research, maintaining a worthy performance record, among others.  “This development is so important – for our students, the Faculty and the University.  It raises the profile of the entire program making the B.U. Health Studies experience more valuable to the students.  The achievement of this benchmark is a testament to the hard work Dr. Care and the faculty devoted to this initiative,” said Dr. Deborah Poff, Brandon University’s President and Vice-Chancellor.
  • In November 2012, Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College entered into an articulation agreement to allow LPN graduates from ACC to enter into the B.N. and B.Sc.P.N. programs at B.U. This articulation agreement was renewed in December 2017.
  • In 2013-14, Dr. Ardene Vollman served as a Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Health Studies.
  • In the Spring of 2014 faculty engaged in a strategic planning initiative to map out a future direction for the Faculty of Health Studies. This resulted in the “Building for a Bright Future Strategic Academic Plan (2014-2019)” in Health Studies.
  • In 2015, the Health Studies Office of Research was established and a Research Facilitator hired for that unit. That year also marked the establishment of the four Research Grant Awards ($2500 each).  These grants provide Health Studies faculty with seed money in support of developing larger research grant applications.
  • In May 2015, the first student graduated from the Master of Psychiatric Nursing program at Brandon University.
  • In the Fall of 2015, the Hi-fidelity Simulation Centre was established at the Brandon Campus.
  • In September 2016, Health Studies Faculty Council approved the establishment of the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence in the areas of Academic Teaching and Clinical Teaching. These awards are presented annually.
  • In 2018, new laboratory space and faculty offices were opened on the 6th floor of the Rice Centre in Winnipeg. This added approximately 3000 square feet to the Winnipeg Campus and resulted in a much improved learning environment for B.Sc.P.N. students.
  • The Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health (CCSRMH) was established within the Faculty of Health Studies in 2019. The purpose of the Centre is to accelerate the already growing number of studies on rural and remote mental health and wellness at Brandon University, link research results to people who can use them, and support education and community engagement in relation to mental health. Dr. Rachel Herron, Canada Research Chair, is the founding director of the Centre. The CCSRMH promotes innovative, community-connected research and education to inform rural mental health and wellness policies and practices, respond to the issues facing rural people and communities, and develop expertise for understanding and planning for Canada’s rural and remote health and wellness.
  • In May 2019, the University Senate approved the establishment of the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health.
  • On August 1, 2019, Dr. John Moraros began his term as the third Dean of Health Studies.
  • In May 2020, Dr. Linda Ross returned to the Faculty of Health Studies as Acting Dean.
  • In 2021, additional funding was received to expand the student capacity for the B.N program in Brandon, as well as the B.Sc.P.N. program in Winnipeg. Annual intake for the B.N. program in Brandon was increased from 48 to 60 students per year, and the annual intake for the B.Sc.P.N. program at the Winnipeg site was increased from 40 to 60 students per year. The annual intake for the B.Sc.P.N. program at the Brandon site remains at 35 students per year. This expansion required the hiring of additional faculty and staff at both the Brandon and Winnipeg locations, as well as the need for expanded space. Construction began to take place in 2021 at the Brandon Campus to create additional office space, renovate existing lab space, and develop a state-of-the-art Simulation lab and large classroom in Clark Hall in space formerly occupied by the Print Shop. Space at the Winnipeg campus was expanded to include all of the sixth floor in the Rice Financial Building and included renovations on the lower level as well. The expanded space includes additional classrooms, an additional laboratory, a dedicated student area, additional office space, reconfigured counseling rooms and welcoming student work areas.  The official opening was held March 9, 2023.