News Releases

MAR. 30, 2026 – SAINT JOHN, NB: New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) is proud to announce over $910,000 in funding from the Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Health to support its community-based, student-infused pulmonary rehabilitation program.

This innovative NBCC model integrates education with real-world patient care while strengthening access to free services in local communities. Since launching its proof of concept in 2018, the program has provided free pulmonary rehabilitation to residents living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other lung diseases, while giving learners hands-on clinical experience.

Building on research led by NBCC’s College Office of Research Enterprise (CORE) and early program results, NBCC has developed a comprehensive bilingual “how-to” guide to help other institutions establish student-infused pulmonary rehabilitation clinics across the province and beyond.

“Improving access to health care is the top priority for our government,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “This partnership with NBCC and CCNB is bringing pulmonary rehabilitation closer to home, so more New Brunswickers can get the care they need. These clinics give people important tools and support to stay active and improve their health, while also providing students with valuable hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in health care.”

The NBCC program is community-based, easily accessible, and guided by a team of healthcare students, all under the supervision of experienced registered clinicians. It combines expert-led care with the enthusiasm of students committed to supporting patients on their journey to improving their lung health. Through education, personalized exercise plans, and ongoing support, participants gain the tools and skills to manage their lung condition and improve their daily functioning—completely free of charge.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Government of New Brunswick for their investment in this program,” said Ann Drennan, NBCC’s Vice-President, Academic, Innovation and Student Affairs. “What began as a proof of concept has grown into a scalable model that allows learners to gain valuable real-world experience while helping meet the growing demand for accessible healthcare services.”

As part of this work, Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) will begin offering pulmonary rehabilitation clinics at its Dieppe campus starting today based on the NBCC model, improving access for francophone communities in the Moncton region.

“We are excited to bring this innovative clinic model to our college,” said Diane Sénécal, CCNB’s Vice-President of Academic and Student Success. “Partnering with NBCC and GNB allows us to build on their proven work while creating new opportunities for our students to learn in real clinical settings and serve the people in southeastern New Brunswick.”

The initiative reflects a shared commitment among educational institutions, government partners, and community supporters to strengthen healthcare delivery while developing a skilled and compassionate workforce for the future of New Brunswick.

A full list of NBCC clinics time and schedule can be found online at nbcc.ca/events/pulmonary-rehabilitation.

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MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Strategic Communications Team, NBCC
communications@nbcc.ca

ABOUT NBCC:
As one of New Brunswick’s largest postsecondary education institutions, NBCC drives social and economic wellbeing across the province. NBCC welcomes more than 12,000 learners each year through quality-assured, relevant training opportunities. NBCC is committed to accelerating skills development, innovating educational delivery, and reaching unprecedented numbers of New Brunswickers. Find out more at: www.nbcc.ca.