Student Testimonials

Safiyya Devraj

Hon. BHSc 2008
MSc. candidate 2010, Rural Planning and Development
School of Environmental Design and Rural Development
University of Guelph

"While the connection may not be obvious, my current choice of study is a direct result of the exposures that I received at Western. The holistic course base and adaptability of the program provided me with a breadth of knowledge, coupled with an emphasis on the notions of evidence, methods, and excellence. However, above all I owe credit to the late Professor Brian Innes for his passion and dedication to the advocacy of the rural communities. In a world where large populations live in and are faced with the challenges of being “rural” it is important for those of us who have the tools to use them in a way that promotes the integrity of all peoples."

Laura Hartman

BHSc Class of 2008
PhD Student, Occupational Sciences
Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Western Ontario

"My bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences at UWO broadened my perspective on the meaning of “health.” Through the diverse course requirements and the multi-disciplinary perspectives offered by the unique and varied faculty members, I gained a new appreciation for the ways in which one can be involved in improving the health and health practices of Canadians, from the critical thinkers contemplating the health of society as a whole to the cell biologists who attempt to heal the smallest human units. The passionate professors, enthusiastic teaching assistants, my eager peers, and the engaging research being conducted at this institution all helped me to find my calling as a health researcher"

Candice Kwok

Class of 2007

"The Health Science program at Western has helped me gain a better understanding of the multidimensional concept of health. Through my core courses in human anatomy and electives in Biology and Physiology, I was able to learn about health and the human body through a biological perspective. However, the majority of the Health Science curriculum helped increase my knowledge base of the important health determinants that affect us as individuals and as a society. Courses in Health Policy, Health Promotion, and Ethics made me become more aware of the many factors that influence our overall well-being in all dimensions of health -- physical, social, and psychological. In addition to the great educational programming offered in Health Sciences, the team of academic counsellors is also another one of its greatest strengths. Without the support and guidance from Dawn Munday and the other staff members in academic counseling, I would not have received the years of wisdom and advice that have helped me choose a career in physiotherapy. I am excited to be starting my studies in Physiotherapy next year at McMaster but I will always take with me my memories from Western's Health Sciences Program."

Norm Furtado

Class 2007
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
The University of Western Ontario

"As a medical student, I'm learning that a physician's job is multi-faceted. The physician as "healer" is the most notable role, but a physician is also an administrator, an advocate, an educator, a gatekeeper to our health care system, and a life- long learner. Medicine is a science; so undergraduate courses in biology, anatomy, and physiology are indispensable. Medicine is also an art, and courses in Critical Thinking, Ethics, Health Promotion, and Health Policy have all proven very useful to me in my medical education. The Bachelor of Health Sciences Program is ideally suited to meeting the demands of a medical education. It is a uniquely melded marriage of those two ideologies-the natural sciences with the social sciences-that are inextricably linked in medicine. The BHSc program not only offered these courses, it gave me the flexibility to choose courses offered by other Faculties to complement my education. Medicine was my goal when I came to Western and the BHSc program got me there"

Julie Ridgewell

BHSc (2001)
Cert. Bereavement Studies (2002)
Cert. Human Resource Management (2004)

"As a BHSc graduate, I can truly appreciate the value of knowledge gained through the program at the University of Western Ontario. The array of courses offers a broad perspective of fundamentals for health enabling the student to apply and focus this breadth of knowledge to many disciplines and professions upon graduation and, or, for furthering education. In my experience, entering the work-world after graduating, the BHSc program prepared me for the many applications and opportunities available in health. Grateful to already have had many experiences working in the community, long-term-care, spiritual care, acute care and now rural-health applications in telemedicine, the doors are open to developing my professional role and continuing education in graduate school. The BHSc program enabled me to successfully soar into a health care profession with solid knowledge and understanding of health, wellness, delivery, promotion, application and evaluation supporting the ever-changing and exciting field of health"