“I would read this as a vote of confidence in the medical school here at Queen’s,” said Principal Patrick Deane during the announcement.
The announcement was made on Jan. 13 at Mitchell Hall by Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, Nolan Quinn, alongside Principal Deane and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Dr. Richard van Wylick. The funding will go towards a new community-responsive simulation lab in Queen’s family medicine program.
According to the Ontario government, the funding is part of a broader $2 billion plan to modernize post-secondary learning environments and ensure students are trained using industry-standard equipment for in-demand jobs.
The $242 million investment supports updated learning spaces, future-ready classrooms, and advanced training tools across Ontario’s post-secondary institutions
“At a time of global instability that threatens our economy, it’s imperative that we have the highly skilled workforce to protect our industries today and for decades to come,” Quinn said during the announcement.
At Queen’s, the funding will support new simulation equipment for family medicine education, allowing students to train using high-fidelity mannequins and immersive learning tools designed to replicate real-world healthcare scenarios.
During his opening remarks, Deane highlighted Queen’s long-standing role in health professions education and emphasized the importance of experiential learning in preparing future clinicians.
“Medical education at Queen’s is a point of deep pride for our university,” Deane said. “Students learn by doing, by developing the judgement, the teamwork, and the confidence required in today’s complex healthcare settings.”
In response to a media question, van Wylick explained that simulation-based education allows students to practice clinical skills in a controlled environment without risk to real patients. The equipment includes adult and pediatric mannequins, birthing simulators, and models used to train students for emergencies, resuscitation, and sensitive examinations.
“These tools help our students practice the skills they’ll use every day in their careers,” van Wylick said. “What makes simulation especially valuable is that students can practice those skills in a safe space, without any real risk to patients.”
van Wylick also emphasized the importance of representation and cultural sensitivity in medical training, noting that the simulation equipment reflects diversity in age, body type, and skin tone.
Quinn said the investment is intended to complement expanded enrolment in targeted programs such as healthcare, skilled trades, nursing, and STEM fields.
“Expanding enrolment is only part of the puzzle,” Quinn said. “Our students must learn in modern environments with the latest tools, so that when they graduate, they’re ready to drive today’s economy for a stronger, more prosperous tomorrow.”
When asked about the longevity of the technology during the question period, Van Wylick said the equipment is designed for long-term use and maintained by specialized technicians.
“We’ve an excellent team who become very skilled at the maintenance and repair of the equipment,” van Wylick said. “I’m convinced it’s going to be here for a long time.”
van Wilyck said hundreds of learners are expected to benefit from the new simulation equipment over time, including approximately 134 medical students per class and between 300 and 400 residents each year.
In a separate media scrum, Deane described the funding as a significant renewal of Queen’s medical education infrastructure.
Tags
announcement, government funding, Ministry of Colleges and Universities, provincial funding
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