Supporters of French-language health programs honoured

Posted: June 1, 2017 10:00 a.m.

Anne Leis, President of Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan with Dr. david Gregory, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing.
Anne Leis, President of Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan with Dr. david Gregory, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Dumas

The possibility of a bilingual nursing program at the University of Regina and La Cité universitaire francophone are being recognized by a provincial body.

Dr. david Gregory, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, and La Cité universitaire francophone at the U of R, have been honoured for their contributions to the development of French-language health education programs in Saskatchewan.

The annual Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan Recognition Awards were presented at the organization’s annual general meeting May 25, 2017, in Saskatoon.

La Cite
Dr. Emmanuel Aito, Director of La Cité universitaire francophone.

The awards are presented to a person or institution who have made a significant contribution to improving access to French-language health services.
 
Gregory has led discussions with La Cité universitaire francophone to explore the possibility of creating a bilingual nursing program in the Faculty of Nursing.

“He has been a real inspiration for the Francophone community and showed tremendous enthusiasm in engaging with the many partners and agencies vital to the success of this endeavor,” says Roger Gauthier, Executive Director of Réseau santé en français de la Saskatchewan.

The program, the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, is expected to be launched September 2018, pending approval by the Senate of the University and the availability of federal funding.
 
La Cité was recognized for its long-standing commitment to promoting professional healthcare training through its partnership with the Consortium national de formation en santé.

Accepting the award on behalf of La Cité was Dr. Emmanuel Aito, Director of La Cité universitaire francophone.

La Cité has played a substantial  role in the development of the bilingual bachelor’s program. In December 2016, a memorandum of understanding was signed between La Cité and the Faculty of Nursing in order to provide mutual support for the program.