The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences is shining a light on its long-standing partnership with Radiant Care.

The not-for-profit organization, which offers seniors housing and care in the Niagara region, was honoured by the Faculty as part of a virtual Community Partners Appreciation Reception launched online Thursday, April 15.

Traditionally held in person, the celebration, which recognizes the valuable partnerships the Faculty has with groups across the Niagara region and beyond, was moved online this year due to public health restrictions related to the ongoing pandemic.

At each year’s reception, the Faculty recognizes one community and research partner for their outstanding contributions, exceptional leadership and dedicated commitment to experiential education and research at Brock.

Radiant Care has been working extensively with Brock’s Therapeutic Recreation and Nursing students, while also maintaining strong ties to the Master of Applied Gerontology program and actively supporting the overall health and well-being of seniors in Niagara.

“Radiant Care’s commitments not only provide our students with a wonderful advantage to gain valuable experience as part of their educational journey, but also demonstrate a long-term commitment to supporting older adults and their families in the Niagara region,” said Peter Tiidus, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. “This also serves as a reminder to all that older adults are an important part of the Brock community.”

As a community partner, Radiant Care has allocated space to enable the Faculty of Applied Health Science to host classes on site and provided an environment whereby students enrolled in Leisure and Aging classes and older adults can more easily connect with each other.

The organization, which operates Tabor Manor in St. Catharines and Pleasant Manor in Niagara-on-the-Lake, has been instrumental in facilitating educational and research opportunities for students, working closely with Brock staff and faculty in these capacities.

“Radiant Care is honoured to be selected as the recipient of Brock’s 2020-21 Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Community Partners Award,” said Brock alumnus Tim Siemens (BA ’90), Radiant Care Tabor Manor and Pleasant Manor CEO. “We are grateful for the partnership we have with Brock University. We are pleased to train and equip today’s students through innovative programs and experiences to meet current and projected demands for jobs within this sector.”

Recognized as a leader in his field locally, provincially and nationally, Siemens’ approach to care for seniors is leading edge. Radiant Care facilities have been recognized for their best practices in long-term care.

Siemens has also demonstrated his commitment to Brock University through regular speaking engagements in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and mentorship opportunities for students looking for career guidance in the field of long-term care. He is also a founding member of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences’ Dean’s Advisory Council.

“Over the years, we have had students from the Nursing, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Kinesiology and Health Sciences departments attend clinical and research placements at Radiant Care,” Siemens said. “We have really enjoyed providing opportunities to students and our residents have benefited from these placements by enhanced levels of direct support and the opportunity to participate in new activities and initiatives.”

Over the past year, in an effort to enhance social interactions during the pandemic, third-year Leisure and Aging students held virtual meetings with residents to get an idea of their life history and leisure interests. They used those chats to prepare special customized care packages with items that allowed the seniors to safely engage in recreational activities.

Radiant Care employs about 400 people to provide care and support to more than 600 seniors. Siemens said he is proud to employ many Brock graduates as nurses, personal support workers and therapeutic recreationists.

Despite the ongoing pandemic and uncertainty of the past year, the partnership between Brock University and Radiant Care has continued to thrive.

The Faculty is grateful for the continued support of its many community partnerships, which are invaluable to the educational experiences of students and research opportunities of faculty members, said Tiidus.

“On behalf of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University, I want to thank all our community partners, as well as offer my appreciation to the dedicated staff and faculty who support our students every day,” he said.

Open to all community partners and members of the public, the virtual event is available here.