St. Lawrence College to open dedicated hands-on learning space for Personal Support Worker students

St. Lawrence College (SLC) is inviting members of the media to the opening of a new dedicated hands-on learning space for students in its Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at 10:30 am. 

The new space, located at SLC’s Kingston campus, was made possible through a generous $250,000 gift from the Estate of John Weatherall, announced last December. The gift is supporting enhancements to the PSW program, including equipment and facility improvements, as well as new student bursaries. 

John Weatherall (1932-2024) was a well-known Kingston business leader and philanthropist whose generosity benefited many organizations in the community, including Queen’s University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, the Kingston Symphony, the Kingston Choral Society, and United Way of KFL&A. 

“This generous gift from the Estate of John Weatherall creates incredible opportunities for our students as they prepare for careers in this vital field,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO, St. Lawrence College. “In training skilled Personal Support Workers and other healthcare professionals, we help meet our region’s workforce needs. We are grateful for this investment in our students and, through them, in the continued provision of excellent care in our communities.” 

The opening will provide an opportunity to tour the new space, celebrate the unveiling of the name of the lab, see the hands-on learning environment available to PSW students, and learn more about the impact of the Weatherall gift on healthcare education at SLC. 

Media event details:  

WHAT: Opening of SLC’s new dedicated Personal Support Worker hands-on learning space  
WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 10:30 am 
WHERE: St. Lawrence College, Kingston campus, Room 00230 

Speakers/participants 

• Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO, St. Lawrence College 
• Megan Bailey, Associate Dean, Allied Health (M.C.) 
• Bhavik Patel, Program Coordinator, PSW 
• Bonnie Thompson, Executor, Estate of John Weatherall 
• Kelly Wales, PSW who cared for John and Diana 

Media opportunities will include: 

• Tour of the new hands-on PSW learning space 
• Photo and video opportunities in the new space 
• Interviews with SLC representatives, faculty, and students 

Members of the media are asked to RSVP to Communications@sl.on.ca. 
Learn more about SLC’s Personal Support Worker program. 
For information about giving to SLC contact Development@sl.on.ca. 

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