Lakehead Announces New Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

(June 27, 2008 - Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University has created a new Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences. Approved by Senate and effective July 1, 2008, the new Faculty brings together the Schools of Nursing, Social Work, and Kinesiology, the Department of Psychology, and the academic programs in Public Health and Gerontology - all of which work together with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Dr. Laurie Hayes, Vice-President (Academic) and Provost, in discussing the reasons behind the development of the new Faculty, says, "Lakehead University has a longstanding commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable focus on issues of human health. As Thunder Bay moves
rapidly toward regional prominence in health care, it is logical for Lakehead University to give greater visibility to its diverse academic programs and research in human health and behaviour.

The new Faculty structure will facilitate and sustain even closer collaboration among the academic units whose faculty and students have traditionally focused on the health sector."
The new Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences replaces the former Faculty of Professional Schools where most of the health-related disciplines previously resided, in addition to the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, now part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr. Fred Gilbert, President, adds, "The new Faculty offers greater visibility, focus, and cohesion for the University's growing number of health students, researchers, and academic programs while also emphasizing health-related basic research. We believe the new Faculty name reflects this focus and will further strengthen Lakehead's academic reputation."

For more information on this release, please contact Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications, 807-343-8372 or eleanor.abaya@lakeheadu.ca.

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Media: Dr. Laurie Hayes is available for media interview between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. today by calling her directly at 343-8132, or by arranging a best time with Maria Dufresne at 343-8181.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca