News

Is the EOH program worth the time and effort? – Absolutely, you will never regret it!

Time spent on education is not a waste of time, its an investment in the future of health, safety, and overall wellness for the industry.

Learn the power of GIS: explore the who, when and where behind health interventions, exposures, and outcomes

In our changing world, disease incidence and environmental risk are an ever-present topic we are all aware of. It’s important to understand the association between environmental exposures and health outcomes.

Q&A with Justin Turcotte – EOH Student

My first exposure to occupational health and safety was, like most people, as a worker. Throughout university, I worked a variety of jobs, and I quickly noticed gaps in health and safety training. I was motivated to pursue a career in health and safety to help organizations develop safer workplaces for everyone.

Adaptive intelligence: key to a bright future

Our capacity to create a positive future is created through the quality of our inner thoughts. How we see, think and feel about the world around us directly influences the decisions we make on a day to day basis.

Longitudinal analysis – studying the health impacts of loneliness and social isolation

By knowing more about how loneliness is associated with health conditions and morbidity, further work can be done to address questions of concern for both patients and the practitioners who serve them.

EOH Newsletter 2022

Program news, instructor Q&As, awards and bursaries and graduation in this 2022 Environmental and Occupational Health newsletter. Read more.

Q&A with Sonia More – EOH Instructor

We recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with Sonia More, instructor in the Environmental and Occupational Health certificate program to discuss her professions and interests.​

Creating opportunity in crisis

Crisis communication has perhaps never been more of an in-demand skill than it has in the last couple of years. The pandemic has revealed many examples of people who have communicated well during crisis, as well as several examples of those who haven’t.

Talking EMOC with student Jonny Morris

This program is a real confidence boost. It helps shake out your lack of awareness and where your blind spots are.

Learn new geospatial skills in 12 weeks

Data has never played a more important role in addressing health outcomes. Regardless of their background, the individuals that enroll in the PHDA program’s geospatial courses are looking to enhance their existing skillset and bring value to their current and future work.

Geospatial Skills for Collaborative Population Health Action

The fight against COVID-19 is far from over, but in tackling this global pandemic, researchers, governments, and health organizations worldwide have made huge strides in sharing knowledge and combining expertise.

Q&A with PHDA graduate Wenti Xu

Wenti Xu completed the Professional Specialization Certificate in Population Health Data Analysis. Read about how she plans to apply her new skills in her work.

Expand your data analytic skills: invest in the future of our health

According to the most recent report by the World Economic Forum, the top job roles demonstrating increasing demand across all industries are data analysts and data scientists.

Q&A with PHDA graduate Frederick Langshaw

Frederick recently completed the Professional Specialization Certificate in Population Health Data Analysis and now works as a Project Analyst for First Nations Health Authority. 

Learn spatial analysis and harness the power of mapping

How many times have you turned to a map to find the closest park, best restaurant or most desirable housing development? Whenever we use a map in this way, we are essentially analyzing its contents to help us make a decision.

Improving the health of all Canadians

Ten years ago, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health began recruiting Canadian citizens to participate in what is now one of Canada’s largest population health studies. Today more than 330,000 citizens between the ages of 30 and 74 are voluntarily sharing their detailed health and lifestyle information over several decades.

Extensive update for Wound Management for Health Professionals Level II

UVic's Division of Continuing Studies' Wound Management program moves into its second decade in 2021, with the launch of an extensively revised curriculum in Wound Management for Health Professionals Level II, following on the update last year of the Level I course.

A passion for emergency preparedness

An interview with instructor Dr. Laurie Pearce, developer and instructor for our Emergency Management for Organizational Continuity program.

Unlocking the secret to fall prevention

By: Vicky Scott, RN, PhD, Clinical Professor, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Coping with stress in unprecedented times

"Change is the one thing we can always count on, right? And I know for myself, the more flexible and adaptable I can be, the easier my life is and the happier I am." That is the inspiration behind popular instructor, Maryse Neilson's newest course offering with Continuing Studies at UVic.

Epidemiology – A critical lens into the past and future of COVID-19

Health Canada’s COVID-19 epidemiology updates provide vital information on how Canada is managing the epidemic on both a federal and provincial level.

Healthy lifestyle: What does it really mean?

How can you determine how healthy you really are? One way is to periodically give yourself a health self-assessment, focusing on five areas: physical, social, intellectual, financial and spiritual. For each area, ask yourself what you are doing well and where you can improve.

Health care professional development in a pandemic … and beyond

Well before the COVID-19 pandemic stretched every health care organization on the globe, health service planners were looking to “task-shifting” to make the best use of staff resources. Broad professional development equips health workers to take on new roles during a crisis, or when local conditions warrant.

The role GIS played in the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak

The ability to use GIS and epidemiology to address emerging population health issues in our society are key components of the Population Health Data Analysis (PHDA) program.

Q&A with Misty Stephens – Wound Management Instructor

Wound Management instructor Misty Stephens shares career advice, explains how she became a specialist wound care nurse only after her first career as a professional ballerina, and reveals the superpower she'd like to have.

Major update for Wound Management for Health Professionals Level I

Wound Management for Health Professionals Level I celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020 with an extensively revised curriculum, launching early this year. The updated course reflects the evolution in healthcare practice in recent years, and brings the course into full alignment with new standards set out by provincial and national wound care organizations.

In Memoriam: Dr. Bhardwaj

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 we lost one of our key stakeholders, Dr. Ashok Bhardwaj, founder of the annual Current Concepts in Dentistry program, practitioner, visionary, collaborator. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 we lost one of our key stakeholders, Dr. Ashok Bhardwaj. Born and raised in India, Dr.

A "High" Time to Consider Workers' Safety in the Cannabis Industry

Legalization of non-medical marijuana (or cannabis) in Canada has resulted in development of strict restrictions by the federal and provincial government around the sale, promotion and enticement of cannabis products. However, there has been little focus on the occupational health and safety (OHS) of the workers within this industry and the routine hazards faced by this workforce.

Achievement and Success through Continuing Education

Interview with Heather Pate, 2019 Grad in our Environmental and Occupational Health Program

Health Protection and Health Promotion

By Jason McInnis, an instructor in our Environmental and Occupational Health Program   "Both ancient and modern societies have been slow to recognize and control the health hazards associated with work." – R.S.

Chronic Leg Wounds

By Misty Stephens, Wound Management for Health Professionals Instructor Our health care system is over capacitated and financially over burdened with chronic lower leg complications...

GIS Mapping Tools: Driving knowledge translation that gives vision to meaningful social change

Our society generates exponential amounts of information every day. Big data now fuels the engines of change and influence, but how can we harness this power to make meaningful social change?

We’re getting older, how can we read the signs for better health?

According to The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA),“for the first time in our history the number of Canadians over 65 has exceeded the number of those aged 14 and under.

Population Data Science – Explore the value, apply the skills

Data now fuels decision-making in almost every sector of our society. As a result, interest in data-intensive science is growing rapidly as opportunities to explore this expanding resource source abound.

University of Victoria Celebrates 20 Years of Dental Continuing Education

The University of Victoria is proud to have commemorated the 20th anniversary of Current Concepts in Dentistry, an annual dental continuing education program designed to assist dental professionals in maintaining currency of knowledge and skills of their profession.

Q&A with Rasha Abu Obayda – Wound Management Student

Rasha earned her Certificate of Completion in the Wound Level II course in the spring of 2018. She currently resides in Calgary, AB.   Please share a little about yourself. Where do you live? What’s your profession?

Q&A with Dezi Grant – Wound Management Student

Dezi Grant earned her Certificate of Completion in the Wound Level II course in the Spring of 2018. She resides in Edmonton, Alberta.   Please share a little about yourself. Where do you live? What do you currently do for work?

Are Canadians Gambling with their Health?

"Are Canadians gambling with their health?" This was a question asked in a recent health report card update published by the Conference Board of Canada.

A Tribute to Instructor David S. Rogers 

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to David S. Rogers who, throughout the decades, passionately taught environmental safety programs to DND personnel, government employees and those in the private sector.

Evaluation and Improvement Science

Expanding your tools and techniques to improve your practice Interested in adding more tools to your improvement toolbox?  There are many ways to support the ongoing management and improvement of health services and programs.

Find the story in your data

Seeing the big picture in the maze of complex and often messy data requires a unique set of skills. To be successful, researchers need to hone their role as ‘data detectives’ to effectively use and analyze administrative data.

Supporting the health of our society with Geospatial Skills

Geospatial information (GI) identifies the geographic location of natural and built objects; but when combined with other forms of data, it can provide extremely valuable information for a myriad of business, government, academic educational or consumer applications.

Adele Balram

Adele Balram is a Database Analyst with the New Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training.

How healthy are we? How do we know?

According to a recent 2016 Health Status Report, 90 percent of Canadians indicated they have good to excellent health. That’s very promising news, especially when you consider that Canada’s average life expectancy of 82 years makes us one of the healthiest nations in the world. But before we get too comfortable, maybe we should check out the whole story. 

What is PHDA and is it right for you?

The Professional Specialization Certificate in Population Health Data Analysis will give you the skills and knowledge you need to get ahead in your career. Complete four courses to earn a certificate conferred by the University of Victoria or take up to two courses for professional development.

Interview with EOH grad Donna Saworski

Interview with Donna Saworski, Graduate, Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate   What is your current position? My title is HR Specialist – Occupational Health and Safety.

Short Term Training to Reach Your Long Term Career Goals

You’ve achieved success in your academic degree and launched your career. Short term, professional specialized training offers the theory and the practice that you need to move your career goals forward.

Wound Management Program News

Find out what is happening with our Wound Management for Health Professionals Program. We welcome a new instructor, catch up with a seasoned instructor, and list upcoming Wound Care conferences.

Using GIS to study health care services and utilization––from local to national

By Anders Erickson, Instructor Access to timely and quality health care is an important determinant of health and well-being.

Planning a research project: What you need to know

Planning a research project has many key components, from formulating a research question and reviewing available data sources to preparing and analyzing the data. Making your way successfully through this process requires the knowledge and skill to ask the right questions and apply the appropriate statistical or analytic techniques. Many individuals working in the area of population and public health, know they cannot rely on a static set of skills to support the challenges of this work.  

How to tell if your project is making a difference

Have you ever wanted to evaluate a program or project but didn’t know where to start? In an era of accountability it can be overwhelming to know how best to evaluate and demonstrate the value of your work. 

A Tribute to Noreen Campbell: Practitioner, Educator, Administrative Leader

Last week, we lost one of our most passionate, long-time instructors, Noreen Campbell. Throughout the decades, Noreen was an inspirational educator and leader in continuing professional education.

PHDA News: Government invests in research to improve health care in BC

Ministers announce major research investment to improve health care for patients in BC The Honourable Jane Philpott, Canada’s Minister of Health, and Terry Lake, British Columbia’s Minister of Health have announced a major investm

PHDA: Building your Data Analysis Toolkit

In today’s world, the rapid expansion of big data, data networks, and related apps is changing the way we view and think about our society...

Find your Happy Place...

When does a space become a place? There are a myriad of small open spaces and buildings throughout towns and cities across Canada that offer places for play, walking, social gathering, and contemplation that are not official parks or community centers: boulevard gardens, empty lots turned dog walking spot, or commercial store front used as a gathering space after hours. These are but a few examples of how space becomes place in the context of local residents and the type of information Statistics Canada is trying to gather in its newly launched crowd-sourcing initiative.

EOH student story on Nicole Gentner

My job requires frequent travel and the flexibility of UVic's online program, plus advanced online tools and databases, made it possible to study from anywhere. Having previously completed an undergraduate and graduate degree in a traditional/on-campus program, I was highly impressed with the quality of education, instructors and students associated with the online program.

EOH student story on Gavin St. Michael

Many years ago, as a lab instructor in Biochemistry and Microbiology, I had occasional interaction with the staff in UVic's department of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE), and always thought, “that seems like a fun and int

PHDA student story on Brent Parker

I learned about the PHDA program while pursuing work at the BC Cancer Agency. It was good timing, as I wasn’t sure about my professional development plans for that year.

EOH student story on Dean Adams

The EOH program was very different, in a great way, than other more conventional educational paths I have taken. I have previously attended other post-secondary institutions in a classroom environment and was surprised by how interactive the UVic distance learning experience was.

EOH student story on Tine Lathouwers

I started my career in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) about 12 years ago when I graduated in Belgium as an occupational health nurse. After working there in OHS for about six years, I moved to Victoria to get married and start a new life.

Info session: Health Terminology Standards

To learn more about the Professional Certificate in Health Terminology Standards, we invite you to join us for a half hour information session via Zoom.

Your data: do you know its value to the health and well-being of society?

We live in a data filled world. In recent years, many of us have become increasingly aware of this fact and cautious about how our data is being protected and used. But do we really know the value of this data for improving our health and social well-being?

Broadening your perspective and knowledge of palliative care

Pharmacists are key members of multi-disciplinary teams delivering palliative care to people facing life-limiting illness. As more people wish to age and die at home, pharmacists are increasingly called upon to contribute expertise in palliative care pharmacy outside of institutional settings.

New program at University of Victoria opens doors to equitable delivery of wound care

'Wound Care for Clients Experiencing Inequities' program looks to provide safe care, support to paramedics, nurses, and others providing support to patients facing health and social inequities in B.C.

Which wound program is right for you?

In 2023, we launched a new course to give you even more options for expanding your wound management skills. This feature will acquaint you with the range of courses available.

Unleashing potential

Just like a kid in a candy store, Stasha deLure can't get enough of learning. "It brings me back to that childlike curiosity and creativity. Learning motivates me to reach for more success," she says. For Stasha, knowledge creates personal empowerment and is a chance to prove to herself what she is capable of accomplishing.

Stress management and embracing joy in everyday life

Dawn Schell, a counsellor and educator, helps individuals understand stress, build resilience, and find joy through mindfulness, personalized strategies, and appreciating life’s simple moments.

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