TORONTO, May 14, 2009 -- York University and University Health Network (UHN) will partner to create a joint nursing academy, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Friday, May 15.
The York University-UHN Nursing Academy aims to enhance health and quality of life by advancing the knowledge and practice of nursing.
”Our objective is to focus on programs of research that will improve quality of care, patient safety, and help patients and families to direct their health care decisions,” says the Academy’s newly-appointed director, Gail Mitchell, Associate Professor in York’s School of Nursing, part of the university’s Faculty of Health.
“The Academy will mirror the mission of the School of Nursing at York University by creating a culture of caring that fosters learning and the development of human science-based nursing knowledge, research, and practice,” Mitchell says. This also aligns with UHN's mission of exemplary patient care, research, and education.
“This partnership is a dream come true for nurses at UHN. Our nurses highly value opportunities for developing new knowledge, testing innovations and advancing patient-centered practice. These will all be enhanced by the presence of the York-UHN Academy at our Toronto General Hospital site,” says Mary Ferguson-Paré, PhD, Vice-President, Professional Affairs & Chief Nurse Executive, UHN.
The Academy will also focus on professional education, jointly delivering York University programs at UHN, including BSc Nursing clinical placements, and its MSc in Nursing, as well as continuing education and professional development initiatives under York’s Health Leadership and Learning Network.
Mitchell notes these new programs will be evaluated and possibly provide models for other university-hospital partnerships. “Helping to create an exciting and inspiring place to work is an important aspect of the York-UHN Academy,” she says.
The Academy with provide mutual benefits by bringing university faculty and students together with expert practitioners, leaders, and researchers in healthcare settings. It will also offer creative opportunities to harness the power of the arts in research and education.
The Academy will be jointly governed by Harvey Skinner, Dean of York’s Faculty of Health, and by Ferguson-Paré.
Skinner says the partnership is a significant step for York University and the School of Nursing. “UHN is the flagship academic hospital in Canada and internationally. We look forward to working with UHN in being a global leader in research and education on patient-centered care, with major impact on improving the quality of patient care and health outcomes.”
About York University’s School of Nursing
York University’s School of Nursing focuses on the theoretical, scientific and philosophical knowledge of human caring. Its innovative person-centered approach to teaching develops the future leaders in Canada's health care systems, preparing them for careers as nurses in hospitals, community health and other organizations, public health and policy leaders, nursing practice leaders, and educators.
About University Health Network
University Health Network consists of Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospitals. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in transplantation, cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine. University Health Network is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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Media contacts:
Melissa Hughes Shirin Ansari-Tadi
York University Media Relations Public Affairs Associate
416 736 2100 x22097 416 340 4800 x6753
mehughes@yorku.ca shirin.ansari-tadi@uhn.on.ca
