Student services at Bannatyne campus
As a service hub for students and residents in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, we provide the supports and referrals you need for personal and academic success. All our services are free and confidential, and we work hard to accommodate your schedule.
Need emergency support?
Call campus security at 204-789-3330 or use one of the links below.
Emergency numbers and resources Sexual violence help and info
Important Notice: Student Services at Bannatyne Campus has returned to campus. We are now offering both in person and virtual appointments for students and residents. To book an appointment with any of our services, please contact (204) 272-3190 or email bcss@umanitoba.ca. Staff are in the office responding Monday-Friday between 8:30am - 4:30pm, however there may be times when we are in meetings or delivering presentations across campus. If we are unavailable to answer the door, please connect to us through our confidential phone and voicemail (204) 272-3190 or email bcss@umanitoba.ca.
Please note: We ask you to not attend in-person services if you’re experiencing any symptoms of physical illness – please call us instead and we will gladly switch your appointment to virtual.
We ask for your patience as the current situation changes rapidly, and we will all be adjusting accordingly.
If you are feeling ill, do not come into the University.
For additional support, please refer to the information below:
- Klinic Community Health Centre
- Crisis Phone hotlines
- Crisis Response Centre
- U of M Sexual Violence Education and Support website
- Security Services (emergency on campus)
- EmpowerMe part of student health plan
Services available to Bannatyne students
Though many UM student supports are based at the Fort Garry campus, you can access them at Bannatyne campus through the student services at Bannatyne campus office. To access any of these services, email us at bcstudentservices@umanitoba.ca or call our office at 204-272-3190.
Academic Learning Centre
Students and residents are invited to make an appointment with a writing or study skills tutor or attend workshops in order to further develop academic strengths and skills in writing, learning and research. Academic learning centre instructor Miriam Unruh specializes in learning and writing strategies and can assist Bannatyne campus learners with study skills, time management and organization.
Career Services
Students, Residents and recent alumni can get assistance with career planning, career exploration and job search. Paula Hossack is the career consultant for the Bannatyne campus and strives to support learners through various stages of their career journeys. Paula is available to provide career advising to Bannatyne students in-person, via online video, or email.
Email us to
make an appointment Phone us to
make an appointment
Financial Aid and Awards
Financial aid and awards helps students meet the cost of their education and recognizes them for their academic and other related achievements. Tammy Boutet is eager to answer questions about awards, bursaries, loans, emergency assistance and money-related forms and processes. Tammy is in the student services at Bannatyne campus office on Wednesdays throughout the academic year from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.
Student advocacy
Provides confidential support for students in navigating university processes, and understanding their rights and responsibilities. Student Advocates can assist with academic, discipline, and professionalism matters. Student Advocates can help students prepare special requests or appeals, and attend related meetings if necessary.
Tiffani Sawatzky (she/they) is the Student Advocate for Bannatye campus. They are a queer, neurodivergent parent to two children and two dogs and a cherished partner. They were born and raised in Steinbach, Manitoba and is Mennonite by culture. They enjoy hiking, sewing, embroidery, podcasts, reading, film, good food and good time with family, friends and loved ones. They studied Communication, Writing, and Rhetoric at the University of Winnipeg after completing high school and returned to the University of Manitoba as a mature student to study law at Robson Hall. Tiffani received their call to the bar in June of 2023. They articled for Legal Aid Manitoba, specializing in child protection and family law and spent time volunteering at the Interfaith Welcome Centre, the Legal Help Centre, and Pro Bono Students Canada. Tiffani is community minded and strives to take a collaborative, harm-reduction approach to all their endeavors.
Academic integrity
If you have questions about how to conduct your studies with academic integrity, contact our academic integrity coordinator Loie Gervais.
Health and wellness educator
Bryanna Barker is the Health and Wellness Educator for the University of Manitoba. Bryanna has a degree in Psychiatric Nursing and is a member of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba. Her experience includes both clinical mental health but most recent, community mental health direct support. Bryanna provides confidential health and wellness guidance and information to students through assessment, system navigation and intervention.
Though Bryanna’s main office is located at the Fort Garry campus, Bryanna is able to provide part time coverage for all RFHS learners. Students and residents that are struggling with any mental or physical health/wellness concerns may meet with Bryanna to receive support. Additionally, Bryanna co-facilitates the Healthy U program at the Fort Garry Campus and sits on various university committees including Champions for Mental Health and Supporting Students with Care
International Centre advising
The International Centre’s student advisors can help you adjust to life in Canada, plan ahead or work through challenges regarding personal matters, academics, university regulations, visas, permits and immigration.
Student accessibility services
Provides support and advocacy for students with disabilities, such as: hearing, injury-related, learning, mental health, medical, physical, visual or temporary disabilities. Advisors act as a liaison between students, faculty, staff and service agencies.
Spiritual care coordinator
Edgar French can help students cope with loss, crises, and transitions by assessing and addressing how their spirituality (values and beliefs that contribute to a sense of purpose, meaning, and identity) provides resilience. His method of care is attentive to and respectful of the uniqueness of values and life-styles, including religious affinities, which shape student identity. It draws from the wisdom of care that affirms health as not simply the absence of a physical ailment, but a person's ability to find meaning, hope, and purpose in the face of suffering.
Counselling services
Patrick Burek provides individual, confidential counselling to address a wide range of personal concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress management and reduction, motivation, procrastination, self-confidence, identity, grief and loss, sleep hygiene, work-life balance, eating concerns, and dealing with the reoccurrence of past issues that may be triggered by present events. Patrick strives to make every person with whom he meets feel respected, understood and supported as they work on mutually defined counselling goals. Patrick practices from a humanistic orientation and applies techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Jennifer Porter is an individual, relationship, and family counsellor with a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jennifer works systemically through a biopsychosocial, trauma-informed, attachment and harm reduction-based lens meeting students where they are at. She works collaboratively and creatively to help students identify what they want to be different, explore strategies for getting there, and acts as a non-judgemental yet supportive scaffolding as they navigate the complicated landscape of connection, growth, healing, and change. Jen is comfortable working with many issues including ADHD, anxiety, communication, depression, gender, loss, relationships, sexuality, stress, and trauma. Jen will work with students to develop an individualized approach, but is influenced and often utilizes therapeutic modalities that help us to reflect on our lives and connect to our emotions and bodies like mindfulness and self-compassion.
UM Food Bank
The UM Food Bank is open to in-person service. To be eligible to use the food bank, all students must be registered in the term that they are using the food bank (full or part-time). You are welcome to use the services once every four weeks, at no cost to you, to help offset the costs of your groceries during times of financial distress.
Accessing the Food Bank
Bannatyne Campus Students: Please email bcss@umanitoba.ca to request a hamper. Please include your name & student number. Student Services Bannatyne Campus (SSBC) will send the request to the Food Bank main office for ordering. If ordered by 9:00 AM, the hamper will arrive next day to BCSS for pick up. Details will be provided to you when you submit your order.
Events
Quick links
Who we are
Cyndi Kirupakaran Kindret (she/her)
Director, Student Services at Bannatyne campus
Cyndi has a Master of Education in Guidance and Counselling and is a registered member and clinical supervisor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Cyndi provides leadership and support to the Student Services at Bannatyne Campus (SSBC) multidisciplinary team and works collaboratively to provide a shared care model of support to all learners at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. She provides clinical support to students and residents struggling with any personal, academic, mental, spiritual, financial, and/or physical health concerns as well as assists with system navigation and facilitates connections to services on and off campus. Cyndi liaises with collaborators on the Bannatyne campus to address ongoing learner needs and further develop the services with SSBC.
Eden Friesen (she/her/hers)
Confidential intake and triage specialist
Eden Friesen (she/her) is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with training and experience in anti-oppressive practice, de-escalating crisis, and providing trauma-informed care. She has spent the past four years working in the non-profit sector providing case management supports and empowerment-focused programming for community members from diverse backgrounds and with varied lived experiences. Eden brings a holistic and person-centered approach to connecting with learners. Eden works collaboratively with both the Director and the other intake specialist to facilitate learner access to supports. Based on assessed needs, Eden refers students and residents to resources offered both through the University of Manitoba and the broader community.
Tanya Sala (she/her/hers)
Student mental health services
Dr. Tanya Sala (MD, FRCPC) is a psychiatrist and assistant professor in the department of psychiatry. She currently serves as the medical director of Adult Mental Health Services at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC), the medical director of the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Program at HSC, and the medical director of the Student Mental Health Service at Bannatyne Campus. Dr. Sala has more than 15 years of experience providing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and has received specialized training at the Beck Institute. She has co-authored papers on CBT and wrote a book chapter on comorbid anxiety disorders and physical health conditions. Dr. Sala meets privately and confidentially with Faculty of Health Sciences students to provide assessment, consultation and treatment recommendations.
Patrick Burek (he/him/his)
Student Counsellor
Patrick Burek provides individual, confidential counselling to address a wide range of personal concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress management and reduction, motivation, procrastination, self-confidence, identity, grief and loss, sleep challenges, work-life balance, eating concerns, and dealing with the reoccurrence of past issues that may be triggered by present events. Patrick strives to make every person with whom he meets feel respected, understood and supported as they work on mutually defined counselling goals. Patrick practices from a humanistic orientation and applies techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Jen Porter (she/her/hers) MMFT
Student Counsellor
Jennifer Porter is an individual, relationship, and family counsellor with a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Jennifer works systemically through a biopsychosocial, trauma-informed, attachment and harm reduction-based lens meeting students where they are at. She works collaboratively and creatively to help students identify what they want to be different, explore strategies for getting there, and acts as a non-judgemental yet supportive scaffolding as they navigate the complicated landscape of connection, growth, healing, and change. Jen is comfortable working with many issues including ADHD, anxiety, communication, depression, gender, loss, relationships, sexuality, stress, and trauma. Jen will work with students to develop an individualized approach, but is influenced and often utilizes therapeutic modalities that help us to reflect on our lives and connect to our emotions and bodies like mindfulness and self-compassion.
Contact us
Student services at Bannatyne campus
S211 Medical Services Building
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W2 Canada
(204) 272-3190