UBC Reports | Vol. 48 | No. 2 | Jan. 24, 2002

College to foster team approach to health

A College of Health Disciplines, the first of its kind in North America, has been established at UBC to provide an academic headquarters for the interprofessional activities of seven faculties engaged in health and human service programs.

Offering interprofessional learning experiences is one of the strategies outlined in Trek 2000, the university's vision document.

Prof. John Gilbert, former coordinator of Health Sciences, will serve as principal of the college that affiliates the faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Applied Science, Arts, Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Goals of the college include preparing students graduating to practice in health sciences with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to work in the collaborative interprofessional health and human services environment. College activities include developing curriculum, fieldwork education and research programs.

Currently housed in the Instructional Resources Centre, the college is governed by a council of the deans, or their designates, of the seven affiliated faculties, the Health Sciences Students Association, student senators and others. The college replaces the Office of the Coordinator of Health Sciences.