College campaign gets support from business leader

Fundraising for a new facility at Okanagan College is getting closer to its goal, thanks to a donation from a high-profile local entrepreneur.

The Merrifield Family Foundation is contributing $100,000 to the Our Students, Your Health campaign for a Health Sciences Centre on the college’s Kelowna campus.

The gift will support technology upgrades and new equipment for eight professions ranging from pharmacy technician assistants and nurses to therapist assistants.

Lane Merrifield, a founder of Club Penguin and former member of the CBC show Dragon’s Den, says he values the college’s focus on applied learning where students engage directly in hands-on skills to better understand their craft.

“I know I’ve benefitted from hands-on learning in my career and health care is no different. Having opportunities to try your skills in learning labs will greatly enhance students’ skills and confidence,” said Merrifield, who was named an Okanagan College Honorary Fellow in 2012, the college’s highest honour.

“Our family values the role frontline health-care professionals play in supporting us all to live healthy lives, and we’re proud to be part of this incredible new Centre that will serve our community.”

Hannah Koch is a recent graduate of the therapist assistant program. As one of the first students to take classes in the new centre, Koch remembers being shocked at the modern elements of the facility. She describes the therapist lab as bright and spacious with new beds and technology that supports their training.

“As a student we are going out into the workforce in one or two years, however long your health-care program is, and I think it’s important to get the proper education so we can be effective in the workforce and come out work ready,” Koch remarked. “Having an environment that is built newer with newer equipment is really helpful.”

Helen Jackman, Okanagan College Foundation Executive Director, said with the donation, the campaign has raised $4.25 million for the Health Sciences Centre, $750,000 shy of the goal.

The foundation is inviting the public for tours of the centre, and if they can, to give a gift in support of educating frontline health-care professionals.

“We are incredibly thankful to the many individuals and organizations for getting us to this point and we’re hopeful we can reach our goal with the continued generosity of the public,” said Jackman.