Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, has marked a significant step forward in health-care education with the recent openings of its Medical Radiation Technology lab and Integrative Health Centre. These new facilities underscore the college’s commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers in diagnostic imaging and allied health fields while addressing regional workforce needs in eastern Ontario.
Background on Loyalist College’s Health-Care Expansion
Loyalist College launched its Medical Radiation Technology advanced diploma program in 2024. The program responds to growing demand for trained medical radiation technologists across Ontario hospitals and clinics. As one of the few colleges outside major urban centres offering this specialized pathway, Loyalist is helping build a pipeline of professionals for smaller and rural communities.
The college’s location in Belleville positions it well to serve the Quinte region and surrounding areas. Partnerships with local health-care providers strengthen the connection between classroom learning and real-world practice.
The Medical Radiation Technology Lab Grand Opening
On June 2, 2026, Loyalist College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Medical Radiation Technology lab at the Belleville campus. The space is designed to mirror contemporary clinical environments, giving students access to industry-standard equipment and simulated patient-care scenarios.
President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick highlighted the lab’s role in meeting community needs. “This new lab reflects Loyalist’s role in responding to the needs of our communities,” he said. “Students are looking for opportunities to pursue meaningful health-care careers without having to leave the region, and our hospital and clinical partners need skilled graduates who are ready to contribute.”
The lab represents the first in a planned suite of diagnostic imaging spaces. It features an X-ray room for positioning practice and exposure training, along with plans for a CT simulator—one of the only such resources at an Ontario college outside major centres.
Funding and Philanthropic Support
A substantial portion of the lab’s development came from a $750,000 gift announced on May 26, 2026, from the John M. & Bernice Parrott Foundation. The foundation has a long history of supporting education and health care in the region, including the first student award established at Loyalist in 1968.
Foundation president Lyle Vanclief noted the ongoing connection: “We are proud to have been part of Loyalist’s history and now its future, and we are pleased to support a program that our health-care providers so desperately need and our community urgently requires.”
This investment extends the foundation’s impact from hospital equipment to the training of the professionals who will use it.
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Industry Partnerships and Regional Impact
Regional health-care leaders attended the opening, including Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health, and Jeff Hohenkerk, CEO of Campbellford Memorial Hospital. Daub emphasized the collaborative value: “Strong community hospitals are built through strong partnerships, and our relationship with Loyalist College is helping create the next generation of healthcare professionals right here at home.”
The lab supports workforce development by allowing students to build confidence through hands-on practice before clinical placements. MRT student Sharmiga Sriskantharajah shared her perspective: “One of the most valuable parts of this lab is that it gives us the opportunity to practice in a safe learning environment. We are able to ask questions, make mistakes, learn from them and continue improving before entering clinical placements and working directly with patients.”
The Integrative Health Centre Opening
Earlier in May 2026, on May 12, Loyalist officially opened its Integrative Health Centre. This purpose-built teaching and learning space supports the Massage Therapy program through supervised clinical experiences. Students provide therapeutic treatments to the college community and members of the public under the guidance of registered massage therapists.
The centre will also welcome students in the new Acupuncture program beginning in Fall 2026. It features a reception area, multiple treatment spaces, and private rooms that closely resemble professional clinical settings.
Associate Dean of Integrative Health Vanessa Brooker and Senior Vice President, Academic and Chief Learning Officer Dr. Amanda Baskwill spoke at the opening. Dr. Baskwill noted: “The opportunity to work with real clients while still in the program gives students an invaluable bridge between classroom learning and professional practice.”
Student Perspectives and Hands-On Learning
Massage Therapy student Bethany Satterley, who led the ribbon-cutting for the Integrative Health Centre, described the space as closely mimicking future workplaces. “The new space truly mimics what most of our first workplaces out of school will look like,” she said. “The program grew my confidence tremendously and I am certain of my ability to apply my skills in my future profession.”
These facilities emphasize experiential learning, a hallmark of college education in Ontario. Students transition more smoothly from theory to practice, improving readiness for certification and employment.
Addressing Health-Care Workforce Challenges
Ontario continues to face shortages in diagnostic imaging and allied health professions. The new programs and facilities at Loyalist directly target these gaps by training professionals who can remain in the region after graduation.
The continuous six-semester delivery of the MRT program allows students to graduate faster and enter the workforce sooner. Clinical placements with partners like Quinte Health provide additional real-world exposure.
By expanding allied health offerings, Loyalist contributes to broader efforts to strengthen health-care access in eastern Ontario communities.
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Future Outlook for Loyalist’s Health Programming
The openings signal ongoing growth in Loyalist’s health and wellness portfolio. Plans for additional diagnostic imaging spaces and the launch of the Acupuncture program demonstrate a strategic response to evolving industry and community needs.
President Kirkpatrick underscored the broader vision: “At Loyalist, we’re committed to creating learning environments that prepare students for the realities of professional practice while also responding to the needs of our communities.”
These investments position the college as a key player in regional economic and social development through education.
Implications for Students and Employers
For prospective students, the new facilities offer modern training environments without the need to relocate to larger cities. This accessibility supports greater diversity in the health-care workforce.
Employers gain access to graduates who have trained on industry-standard equipment and in supervised clinical settings. The partnerships forged through these openings are expected to yield long-term benefits in recruitment and retention of local talent.
Overall, the developments highlight how Ontario colleges are adapting to meet pressing societal needs through targeted program expansion and infrastructure investment.
