UBC and UVic Expand Health Care Programs in Vancouver Island

The University of British Columbia (UBC) and the University of Victoria (UVic) have launched a collaborative initiative to enhance health care education on Vancouver Island. This expansion includes two master’s programs—one in physical therapy and the other in speech-language pathology. The provincial government contributed significantly, investing $15 million to renovate facilities at UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) in Saanich, along with an additional $9.1 million for startup and operational expenses.

The new facilities are designed to accommodate 20 master of physical therapy students and eight master of science in speech-language pathology students each year. Currently, there are 56 students enrolled in these programs. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals in the region. According to Oak Bay–Gordon Head MLA Diana Gibson, “We’re providing more students with the training they need to succeed in in-demand jobs in allied health care. This means more professionals will soon graduate with the skills to provide top-notch care to British Columbians.”

Behind these figures are students like Abby Goldschmid and Maddie Naswell, who view these programs as vital pathways to establish their careers locally. Goldschmid, now in her second year of the master of physical therapy program, expressed her excitement about being part of the Victoria cohort. “It just made everything a lot easier,” she said, noting her roots in Victoria. The small class size has fostered a sense of community. “It feels like we’re a group of friends with mentors who are helping us, rather than just being in University,” she added.

Goldschmid has completed a placement in Vernon but is eager to remain on Vancouver Island for her upcoming practicums. As part of her program requirements, she must complete three placements locally. “It’s really nice to make connections here or at least somewhere on the Island,” she remarked. With an anticipated 400 job openings for physiotherapists in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region over the next decade, she feels optimistic about her future. “It feels like we’re wanted,” Goldschmid noted, as community clinics actively seek students for learning opportunities.

For Naswell, one of the eight students pursuing a master’s in speech-language pathology in Victoria, the timing of the program was serendipitous. Having grown up in the Comox Valley, she was preparing to relocate to Vancouver for her studies when she discovered the new cohort in Saanich. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Naswell said. “It just opened up here, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’m planning on staying on the Island when I graduate, so this was perfect.”

The smaller cohort size has allowed Naswell and her classmates to have more direct access to equipment and mentorship. “We have so much access to all of the technology, like the audiology lab and ultrasound,” she explained, contrasting her experience with students in Vancouver who have to share resources. She has already completed placements as far north as Whitehorse and closer to home at Comox Valley Hospital. With an expected 140 job openings for speech-language pathologists in the region over the next decade, Naswell feels confident about her career trajectory. “I think I’ll probably end up back in the Comox Valley, maybe in a hospital, maybe in a school or private practice,” she stated.

As Goldschmid, Naswell, and their fellow students advance through their studies at the VITP, they represent a growing cohort of health care professionals. At the same time, UBC’s Vancouver campus continues to host 72 speech-language pathology students and 240 physical therapy students across various locations in Vancouver, Surrey, and Prince George. The collaborative expansion of these programs illustrates a commitment to addressing health care needs in British Columbia, equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in their professions while strengthening local communities.