Saskatchewan Polytechnic received a significant boost in its fundraising efforts to build a new centralized campus with a $7.5 million donation from Irene Dubé and the late Leslie Dubé. The funding will go toward the construction of the new Jospeh A. Remai Saskatoon Campus, located at the University of Saskatchewan’s Innovation Place. The School of Nursing will be renamed the Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing in recognition of this donation, which was announced during National Nursing Week. The Dubé family wanted to give back to show recognition and respect for the nursing profession, as they have witnessed firsthand the quality healthcare provided by nurses during their family’s experiences in hospitals. A portion of the funding will also establish an endowment for Saskatchewan Polytech psychiatric nursing student awards.
The donation from Irene and Leslie Dubé is seen as transformational for Saskatchewan Polytechnic, with President and CEO Larry Rosia emphasizing its impact on both students in the school of nursing and in the broader field of healthcare in the province. Rosia highlighted the long-term impact of the new campus and the opportunities it will provide for future generations of students in healthcare. The Time to Rise Campaign, which aims to raise $100 million for the new campus, received a $200 million commitment from the province last year, and has since gained momentum with support from various donors. The school is now halfway to its fundraising goal, with the new campus project becoming a reality.
The funding from Irene and Leslie Dubé will also support future psychiatric nurses, such as second-year student Kelly Unrau, who chose the program to make a positive impact on her community. Unrau emphasized the importance of psychiatric nurses in providing support and care for vulnerable communities, especially in Saskatchewan where the need for skilled psychiatric nurses is high due to the prevalence of mental illness, substance use, and inadequate housing. The establishment of an endowment for psychiatric nursing student awards will help ensure that students receive the education and training needed to meet these growing healthcare needs.
Irene Dubé expressed her family’s admiration for the work of nurses, noting that they are often the primary caregivers for patients and provide comfort and care during vulnerable moments. By renaming the School of Nursing after the Dubé family, the school aims to show appreciation for the dedication and impact of nurses in the healthcare system. Irene and Leslie Dubé were dedicated philanthropists who believed in giving back to their community, and their donation will leave a lasting legacy at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and help shape the future of healthcare in the province.
The Joseph A. Remai Saskatoon Campus, made possible by the generous donation from Irene and Leslie Dubé, will play a pivotal role in educating and training future healthcare professionals, including nurses and psychiatric nurses. The campus will provide state-of-the-art facilities and resources to support students in their studies and prepare them for careers in healthcare. With the support of donors like the Dubé family, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is closer to achieving its goal of building a new centralized campus that will have a profound impact on the future of healthcare in the province. The Time to Rise Campaign is on track to reach its fundraising goal, thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in investing in the education and training of the next generation of healthcare professionals.
