HRSA Grant

Denise DiRienzo, Chief Mission Officer

(716) 829-8386,

dirienzd@dyc.edu

 

D’Youville University will expand its nursing program to meet the emerging need in

medically underserved communities with a $3.9 million multi-year grant from HRSA

(Health Resources & Service Administration)

For immediate release, Buffalo, NY: D’Youville University will grow its hands-on nursing education and expand direct medical care in underserved communities in Erie and Niagara counties. New nurse-led mobile health units will set up pop-up clinics in partnership with fire stations and EMS personnel in the region. D’Youville president, Dr. Lorrie Clemo says that a key element of developing this model is that it cuts across urban and rural divides. “We are thrilled that HRSA and NEPQR-MHTP (nurse education, practice, quality and retention-mobile health training program) shares our vision to increase the number of community health nurses that receive training in the field while building trust with future patients,” says Clemo. “The nearly $4 million grant will enable us to serve over 300 patients in the first year.”

The federally funded program was designed by Acting Dean Shannon McCroy-Churchill of the Patricia H. Garmon School of Nursing. “We could not be more excited for this grant and the opportunities it offers us to continue to serve our community. It is very much in line with the mission, vision and values of the Patricia H. Garman School of Nursing, the implementation of this HRSA grant will advance nursing education, encourage diversity, equity and inclusion, and provide supportive pathways to bachelors education for those who may experience challenges with the traditional model. “ said Acting Dean Shannon McCrory-Churchill. “The support of our community partners, the Buffalo Fire Department and Niagara County EMS allows us to reach members of surrounding rural communities as well as urban areas that may have limited access to healthcare, with a goal of bringing care into the community, and helping our neighbors achieve their best possible health.”

 Mobile units will have 2 licensed nurses and 4 nursing students at each clinic. To effectively utilize resources at each clinic the pop-ups will be held at fire house locations in each county. Erie County locations will be in City of Buffalo Fire Stations at Engine 23, Engine 26, and Engine 32. In Niagara County the pop-up clinics will be held at Barker Fire Company, Middleport Fire Company, and Wolcottsville Fire Company.

This grant will support scholarships for over 60 nursing students from underserved backgrounds as part of new Mobile Health Scholars cohort. D’Youville was visionary in the 1940s when the nursing program was developed to meet the critical need for nurses after WWII. Today the University is leading the charge to diversify the nursing profession to ensure underrepresented groups are employed in healthcare industry and can build relationships in underreached communities.

The program is innovative, new curriculum in mobile health that will lead the way in offering pop-up clinics in rural, remote communities and to populations with high healthcare disparities. “We will be able to train nurses from underserved populations and, most importantly, students will be working in these communities from day one of their training and building trust and improved understanding, “ said Dr. Clemo. “The partnerships we create will enable communities to grow and prosper as we make connections with healthcare, social service agencies, and emergency services.”

D’Youville is a nationally-ranked private university headquartered in Buffalo, New York, providing in-seat and online academic programs around the world Founded in 1908, D’Youville offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees focused on healthcare, liberal arts and business. D’Youville’s small class sizes, experiential education, and interprofessional learning environments prepare students for success. For more information, visit www.dyc.edu