Building on the existing partnership between Student Affairs and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Student Wellness Services (SWS) has welcomed PhD-prepared Nurse Practitioner Roger Pilon, an associate professor from the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, to the team this term. Professor Pilon has started running a weekly clinic in the Côté Sharp Wellness Centre in Mitchell Hall. He is the first nurse practitioner (NP) to work in Student Wellness Services.

“Adding the expertise of a nurse practitioner further increases the diversity of our health care professionals and gives students more choice,” says Cynthia Gibney, Executive Director, Student Wellness Services. “The scope of practice of nurse practitioners has grown over the past several years. They can assess, diagnose and treat physical and mental health issues, order and interpret diagnostic tests, write prescriptions, refer clients to other healthcare professionals and specialists, as well as provide counselling and education. We are excited Roger has joined our service.” 

Professor Pilon recently moved to Kingston from Northeastern Ontario where he lived and practiced for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in primary health care and working with Indigenous peoples and communities. His research focuses primarily on Indigenous health, and more specifically the decolonization of type 2 diabetes care. 

“I am thrilled to be joining the interprofessional SWS team and I look forward to providing primary health care services to Queen’s students. I bring with me extensive clinical experience and expertise that will allow me to provide holistic evidence-based care,” he says.

This is the most recent collaboration between Student Affairs and the Faculty of Health Sciences. 

“We are so pleased to broaden our partnership with the Faculty of Health Sciences to advance student well-being and the health services we provide,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “This particular collaboration with the School of Nursing builds on longstanding connections and mutual support as we work together toward our shared goal of promoting student wellness and success.”

Student Wellness Services is also expanding access to mental health support for students with the recent signing of an agreement with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.  

Ontario Shores provides specialized assessment and treatment services to those living with complex and serious mental illness. It’s now available to students by referral through a Student Wellness Services physician, but self-referral is on the way, and in the future Student Wellness Services is planning to host an Ontario Shores counsellor on site on a regular basis. 

“These new additions to our services will benefit students as we continue to respond to increased demand to evolving student needs,” Gibney says.

Visit the Student Wellness Services website.