Patients now armed with iPads

UNHBC patient Gibcyn Norlander, 10, tries out one of the new iPads in the Pediatrics ward at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. The iPads, the arms to hold them, and iTunes credits were presented to the hospital by a group of students from the Project Management program at UNBC. Allan WISHART/Free Press

Children at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. will find their stay there a little easier, thanks to some students from the University of Northern B.C.

Students in the latest Masters Certificate in Project Management group were required to plan and execute a project as part of the course, and the latest cohort decided to do something that would benefit the community.

“We had the opportunity to take on a real project,” says Fiona MacPherson, one of the students involved. “We raised about $50,000 through corporate donations and a raffle.”

The money went to purchase 16 medical-grade arms to hold iPads, the iPads for the arms to hold, and iTunes credits for movies and songs for the Pediatrics department at the hospital. Course instructor Dr. Dale Christenson was impressed by the group’s work.

“This cohort demonstrated the power of project management by taking a concept to cash,” he said in a release. “Congratulation on your selfless achievement while improving your community.”

MacPherson said the decision to raise funds for the Pediatrics department was one they were all behind.

“It’s never a pleasant situation for the patients. This will make things a bit better for them.”