CONGRESSMAN MORELLE ANNOUNCES $1M FOR ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH WORKFORCE INITIATIVE

Statement

Today, Congressman Morelle announced he has secured $1 million for Rochester Regional Health's College of Health Careers to help educate and train more public health professionals. This critical funding will help fill nursing shortage, which projects a shortfall of more than 500,000 nurses by 2030. Congressman Morelle and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer worked together to secure the funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Community Project Funding program.

"Public health professionals like nurses have been the heroes uplifting our community--not just during the COVID-19 pandemic, but every day," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "As we move forward, it's clear we need more people to fill these critical roles and ease the burden on our overworked healthcare systems. That's why I'm so proud to deliver $1 Million in funding to support Rochester Regional's College of Health Careers and help more adult learners earn their nursing degrees."

"This has been a challenging time for the healthcare industry and the need for increased staff has never been more urgent," said Deborah Stamps, EdD, MBA, MS, RN, GNP, NE-BC, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Rochester General College of Health Careers. "I'm grateful to Congressman Morelle and Senator Schumer for securing this funding that will help us expand our program, reach more students, and graduate more RNs. With this support, we can help address the national nursing shortage and provide better patient care at a time when it's needed most."

"Public health professionalsare true heroes in our community, and we can never thank them enough for the work they do every day, especially during the pandemic," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. "I was proud to help secure this funding to bolster our healthcare workforce, address the ongoing nursing shortage, and ensure our workers have the support they need as they continue keeping the community healthy and safe."

The Rochester General College of Health Careers (RCGOHC) is a not-for-profit academic institution of the Rochester Regional Health System. In September 2020, the New York State Board of Regents approved the College of Health Careers as a degree granting institution. This year, the College of Health Careers achieved institutional accreditation for the Rochester General College of Health Careers organization through the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) which serves as a nationally recognized accrediting agency of institutions predominantly providing health education and programmatic accreditation in specific health education disciplines. This funding will support the degree program of an Associate in Applied Science with a major in nursing, preparing more adult learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to pursue health careers and fill the nursing shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nursing Associate of Applied Science Program will allow licensed practical nurses (LPNs) from an accredited and/or New York State Education Department-approved program transfer into the program at RGCOHC. This program is designed specifically for LPNs and will build upon the knowledge/skills of an LPN while focusing on role transition of the LPN to a registered nurse (RN), specifically by further developing clinical judgment and critical thinking. The RGCOHC is also the home of the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing (IGHSPN) which started in 1964 and has graduated more than 3000 LPNs serving our community. IGHSPN is a 10-month program and enrolls student twice annually.

The $1 Million award is being made available as part of the Community Funding Project program allowing Members of Congress to provide direct investments to areas of their communities that need it most. This funding was passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations package recently signed into law by the President. For more information on the program application, please click here.

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