Prince George, B.C. – Research and advocacy are reshaping healthcare and environmental sustainability at the University of Northern British Columbia, where nursing student Ankur Patel is driving change.

 A fourth-year student in the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP), Patel is working to integrate environmental health into nursing education and practice while also advocating for policy changes at both institutional and national levels. His efforts aim to highlight how climate change affects patient care in northern and rural communities and ensure sustainability becomes a core consideration in nursing education.

With a focus on sustainability in healthcare education, Patel is working with faculty to incorporate tools like the Planetary Health Report Card, a student-driven initiative used by medical and nursing schools worldwide to assess how well institutions integrate sustainability into education and operations. The report card assesses curriculum content, research efforts and institutional commitments to climate-conscious healthcare.

"Attending Canada’s Green University has been essential in shaping my approach to advocacy," said Patel. "Being immersed in UNBC’s sustainability initiatives and thought leaders has reinforced that this is work I can contribute to."

Through research and hands-on initiatives, Patel has explored how climate change influences patient health and healthcare accessibility in northern communities. His work examines how environmental factors exacerbate health disparities, particularly in rural populations. With faculty support, he has contributed to discussions on integrating environmental health into nursing education and equipping future nurses to address climate-related health challenges.

“Integrating planetary health into nursing education is essential to prepare future nurses to understand and address the environmental change-related impacts they’ll see in the health of their communities and patients; and to ready them to advocate for a more sustainable healthcare system,” said NCBNP Senior Instructor Amy Klepetar. “Ankur’s dedication to this work reflects the kind of leadership we strive to cultivate at UNBC, where students are empowered to drive meaningful change in healthcare.”  

Patel’s advocacy extends beyond UNBC. As the Director of Communications and Environmental Sustainability Advocate for the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association, he has leveraged his experiences to influence national healthcare policy discussions, co-authoring a nationally approved Planetary Health Resolution that advocates for stronger integration of environmental health principles in nursing curricula across Canada.

“As nurses, our voices carry weight,” Patel added. “UNBC has given me the confidence and tools to advocate for environmental health in nursing, ensuring future healthcare professionals are prepared for these challenges.”