Surrey, B.C. | August 17, 2026 | Healthcare professionals dedicate their days to caring for others, working long shifts in high-pressure environments while carrying the physical and emotional demands of their work. For the staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital, that commitment means showing up for patients and families every day, often with little time to pause and care for themselves.
Recognizing the importance of wellness for those who care for our community, Western Community College (WCC), through its EDGE Student Massage Therapy Clinic, is partnering with the Surrey Hospitals Foundation to bring free wellness massages directly to Surrey Memorial Hospital staff.
Beginning Friday, August 21, 2026, and continuing every Friday, WCC’s Registered Massage Therapy program students, under the supervision and guidance of Registered Massage Therapists, will provide complimentary massage sessions on-site at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The sessions will give hospital staff a chance to step away from their duties, relieve tension and prioritize their well-being without leaving the workplace.
The initiative reflects a simple principle at the heart of WCC’s healthcare education: care must be sustainable, and those who care for others deserve to be cared for, too.
“This initiative is about recognizing the people behind the care,” said Gurpal Dhaliwal, President of Western Community College. “Surrey Memorial Hospital staff give so much to our community every day. We are proud to bring this wellness initiative directly to the hospital so staff can take a moment for themselves and experience the same care and support they provide to others.”
“Philanthropy and giving back can take many forms, and this partnership is a meaningful example of what is possible when our community brings forward its skills, resources and ideas in support of health care. Surrey Hospitals Foundation is proud to have worked with Western Community College to help make this program possible creating an opportunity for WCC students to apply their training while supporting the well-being of the dedicated staff who care for our community every day.”— Nicole Robson, President & CEO, Surrey Hospitals Foundation
For WCC’s Registered Massage Therapy program students, the initiative also offers a meaningful opportunity to apply their clinical training in a supervised environment while contributing to the well-being of healthcare professionals in the community.
The partnership brings together education, healthcare and community wellness with a shared goal: supporting the people who dedicate themselves to supporting others.
Surrey Memorial Hospital staff are invited to take advantage of this free wellness opportunity beginning Friday, August 21, with sessions continuing every Friday.
About Western Community College
Western Community College is a private degree-granting institution in British Columbia offering career-focused education and hands-on learning opportunities, with a strong focus on healthcare education as well as programs in Education and Community Support, Aviation, Hospitality, Skilled Trades, Information Technology and more.
About EDGE Student Massage Therapy Clinic
EDGE Student Massage Therapy Clinic is a student-led massage clinic operated by Western Community College at its CC4 campus in Surrey. The clinic provides hands-on clinical experience for WCC’s Registered Massage Therapy program students, who deliver massage services under the supervision and guidance of Registered Massage Therapists. EDGE offers students the opportunity to apply their classroom and clinical training in a professional setting while providing accessible and affordable massage services to the community.
