Cornerstone Credit Union supports new health training course

YORKTON - Cornerstone Credit Union has donated $50,000 to The Health Foundation for the new Sonography Program at Suncrest College.

Doug Jones, CEO with Cornerstone Credit Union, officially announced the contribution donation in support of the new Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Suncrest College Wednesday.

Jones said it was an easy decision “to contribute to this important project,” having chosen to do so for several reasons.

To start “both education and health care are critical components of a thriving community and economy long term,” he noted.

It is also important to have such education opportunities in the city as they provide local students with an opportunity to stay in their home community and still get specific education, said Jones, adding that can lead directly to employment locally post education too.

Reiterating that Suncrest was “the first institution in Saskatchewan to be offering this program,” Jones added “it was such a great fit for us (Cornerstone),” to contribute.

Alison Dubreuil, President and CEO of Suncrest College, said the creation of the new program was possible largely because of “strong partnerships in the community.”

Dubreuil added Suncrest and The Health Foundation have a history of collaborating “as our organizations have complimentary visions for the need to expand services and training opportunities in our local region.”

Ross Fisher, Executive Director, The Health Foundation, picked up on the theme of partnerships noting the Foundation’s role is often to facilitate bring groups to the table to financially support initiatives for health care whether new equipment for the hospital, or a course at the college.

The Credit Union is often a leader in that regard, being willing to make a donation early, noted Fisher

“Someone has to step up and make the initial contribution that tells the community the project is viable,” he said.

In this case the project being undertaken for The Health Foundation is the purchase of equipment needed for the training course, which is $711,000.

Calling it “a big step for us,” Fisher again noted this will be the first Diagnostic Medical Sonography program to be offered in Saskatchewan. Up until now, students had to relocate out of province to access this specialized training.

This August six students from across the province will embark on a 28-month course. Fisher added the training equipment is expected to have a 10-year life, so the program is focused on student intakes over that period of time.

Ultimately, it is hoped that by training students in Saskatchewan after they complete their training they will be easier to recruit for ultrasound technicians in Saskatchewan hospitals, said Fisher.