News from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario
Posted September 11th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – More Brock University students will soon learn the vital skills needed to provide critical care for residents in Niagara and across Ontario.
The Ontario government is investing $2.4 million to expand enrolment in Brock University’s Nursing programs, training up to 60 additional nurses by 2029.
The funding will help build the pipeline of highly skilled nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered practical nurses required to meet the growing need in hospitals, long-term care homes, community health centres and primary care clinics in Niagara and throughout the province.
“Our government is connecting more people to care by increasing enrolment for frontline health-care workers and providing new options for learning,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West. “As part of the province’s record support of Ontario’s health-care system, this expansion of local Nursing seats will ensure more direct care for residents in Niagara.”
From left: St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe; first-year Concurrent Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing students Abigale Phillips and Chloe Zaraska; Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Karyn Taplay; Lab Supervisor Shelley Oakes; Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West; Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg; Dean of Applied Health Sciences Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou; Interim Vice-President, External Meaghan Rusnell; Graduate Program Director Dawn Prentice and Graduate Program Co-ordinator Kimberly Anderson.
Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg said the government funding supports the University’s innovative programming, which prepares students to make an immediate impact on the health-care system.
“We’re equipping the next generation of health-care leaders with the skills necessary to save lives and provide compassionate and effective care,” Rigg said. “Thanks to the Government of Ontario’s investment, more Nursing students will have the opportunity to learn from our world-class instructors and gain valuable experience working in local health-care settings, making a difference in the community throughout their studies.”
The Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, said nurses are an “integral part of Ontario’s health-care system, providing life-saving and compassionate care when patients need it the most.”
“Through this investment, our government is growing our critical health-care workforce and protecting Ontario’s access to excellent care, close to home, now and into the future,” he said.
Sam Oosterhoff (standing second from right), Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West, speaks with Nursing students at Brock University
The funding is part of a larger $56.8-million investment to expand enrolment in nursing programs across the province, adding 2,200 nursing professionals to Ontario’s health-care workforce by 2029.
In addition to funds to expand enrolment, the province has committed $500,000 to support Brock’s purchase of nursing clinical supplies and laboratory equipment. This investment will equip Nursing students with cutting-edge tools that will enhance their hands-on training and ensure they’re prepared to thrive in their careers.
In recent years, Brock’s nationally recognized Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has tripled enrolment, welcoming its largest cohort in fall 2025.
“Brock Nursing graduates are known in Niagara and beyond for their commitment to care and workplace excellence,” said Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou, Dean of Brock’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. “We look forward to further building on that reputation as we help future nurses master the life-saving skills needed to have a lasting impact on our health-care system.”
For more information on Brock’s Nursing programs, visit brocku.ca/nursing<https://www.brocku.ca/nursing>
*NOTE – Attached to this release are photos for media use. Captions: 1. Sam Oosterhoff (standing second from right), Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West, speaks with Nursing students at Brock University. 2. From left: St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe; first-year Concurrent Bachelor of Nursing/Master of Nursing students Abigale Phillips and Chloe Zaraska; Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Nursing Karyn Taplay; Lab Supervisor Shelley Oakes; Sam Oosterhoff, Member of Provincial Parliament for Niagara West; Brock University President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg; Dean of Applied Health Sciences Panagiota (Nota) Klentrou; Interim Vice-President, External Meaghan Rusnell; Graduate Program Director Dawn Prentice and Graduate Program Co-ordinator Kimberly Anderson.
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