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London, ON – CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses will be celebrating the March 25th graduation of 23 members of their London-based program. CARE Centre has been operating in London for two years and this will be the first group of newly qualified Ontario RNs and RPNs to graduate. To commemorate the special occasion, Minister of Health and Long Term Care Deb Matthews and London Mayor Joe Fontana will address the graduation proceedings, along with London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Dr. Eric Hoskins.
“These CARE Centre graduates represent the bright future of the health care system in Ontario, as highly trained, experienced professionals ready to serve our increasingly diverse communities,” said Minister Matthews. “Nurses are leaders in Ontario’s health care system, one of the best in the world. Every day, nurses make a real difference in Ontarians’ lives. CARE Centre graduates contribute to the proactive change that keeps our hospitals, clinics and other settings on the leading edge of health care delivery.”
Fanshawe College is CARE Centre’s educational partner in London. Now in its tenth year, CARE Centre operates in a number of communities in Ontario. The 23 London-area graduates come from a wide range of countries, including China, India, the Philippines, Iran, Lebanon, Columbia, United Kingdom, U.S.A., Romania, Nigeria, Benin and Botswana. Nurses who join the CARE Centre program have received an assessment from the College of Nurses of Ontario and a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment, and either have received or applied for permanent residency status.
“CARE’s program for internationally educated nurses is one of Ontario’s original Bridge Training programs and it remains a great success story,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “Our government is pleased to invest in programs like this that help internationally educated professionals put their skills to work for Ontario.”
“We are very proud to welcome our CARE Centre graduates into London’s workforce as fully accredited health care professionals,” said Mayor Joe Fontana. “We need them and we recognize the challenges they have faced, not only in achieving their re-qualification but also in the personal journey that led them to Canada and to London. Thank you for your skills, your determination and your desire to be an important part of our diverse community. Congratulations on a job well done.”
Now in its 10th anniversary year, CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses is a not-for-profit professional organization founded in 2001. CARE Centre supports internationally educated nurses in updating their credentials and training to meet Ontario standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses, obtain employment, advance in their careers, and contribute to health care excellence in Ontario. CARE Centre achieves these goals through case management support, nursing-specific language training, exam preparation, mentoring and networking, and recognizing the unique skills, education and experience of internationally educated nurses.
Graduation information
The CARE Centre graduation event will take place on Friday, March 25th 2011.
The Grand Hall, Windermere Manor, at 200 Collip Circle, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Minister of Health and Long Term Care Deb Matthews, London-Fanshawe MPP Khalil Ramal and Mayor Joe Fontana will speak at the event.
An RSVP for media attendance is appreciated. Please e-mail Tina Novotny at tnovotny@sympatico.ca.
Contact information
To arrange advance or on-site interviews with CARE Centre graduates or representatives, or for other media inquiries, please contact:
Tina Novotny, Write Media Ink
416-425-6455/416-836-1989
tnovotny@sympatico.ca
For more information, please contact:
Heather Poole BA
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses
45 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite 512
Toronto, Ontario M2N 5W9
hpoole@care4nurses.org
416-226-2800 x240