| When Graham Mitchell graduated from Centennial | | | | standards and faculty-led applied research in the area |
| College's Paramedic program in 1992 the job market | | | | of healthcare and educational technology. |
| was in the doldrums of recession. So like many | | | | Since 1973, when the Ontario government |
| freshly minted college and university graduates, he | | | | transferred responsibility for nursing education from |
| found part-time work where he could. | | | | the province's hospitals to its nursing program college, |
| It was during a contract with an air medevac service | | | | Centennial has earned an enduring reputation for its |
| in Northern Ontario that Mitchell realized the | | | | health sciences programs. |
| extensive role private companies play in the public | | | | The college teaches a full range of nursing programs, |
| health-care system. He joined two partners who | | | | including a BScN Collaborative program with Ryerson |
| together purchased Parkview EMS, a small | | | | University, Practical Nursing and RPN Bridging to |
| Toronto-based firm that had formed to provide | | | | University Nursing with flex options, and a Practical |
| medical emergency services at local horseracing | | | | Nursing Certificate to Diploma program. The latter |
| tracks. | | | | allow students to meet practice requirements in |
| "Public services like Toronto EMS are mandated to | | | | Ontario or upgrade their English communication skills |
| respond to 911 calls, which means they may leave a | | | | while preparing for advanced training. |
| stadium unattended," says Mitchell, explaining the rise | | | | Programs are offered at the state-of-the-art |
| of private EMS services that are now fixtures at | | | | Centennial Science and Technology Centre, which |
| major sports events and concerts. | | | | opened in 2004 on Morningside Avenue just south of |
| They grew the business to the point where today | | | | Hwy 401. Students hone their skills in advanced lab |
| Parkview provides emergency medical services at | | | | and clinical simulation facilities – including a fully |
| events hosted by the Air Canada Centre, Rogers | | | | outfitted ambulance body installed in a classroom! |
| Centre, Molson Amphitheatre, BMO Field and other | | | | Students gain valuable experience through the |
| facilities. | | | | college's extensive network of clinical placement |
| More recently, Orangeville-based Parkview found a | | | | opportunities at hospitals and other community |
| new market in "aeromedical repatriation," providing | | | | facilities, while enjoying a personalized school |
| travel insurance companies with physicians, nurses | | | | experience. |
| and paramedics to escort patients worldwide, | | | | In addition to nursing and paramedic programs, |
| typically bringing them home for treatment in Canada, | | | | Centennial offers a range of certificate and diploma |
| the U.S. or England after a medical episode or | | | | programs including Pharmacy Technician, Food and |
| accident. | | | | Nutrition Management, Esthetics, Workplace Wellness, |
| Mitchell credits his excellent training at Centennial | | | | Massage Therapy and related disciplines. |
| College for his successful career as a paramedic – | | | | Working professionals can also choose from a wide |
| and as an entrepreneur. | | | | variety of part-time continuing education courses |
| Centennial's School of Community and Health Studies | | | | delivered in the classroom or remotely. |
| is recognized for its innovation, high academic | | | | |