Today, U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) visited St. Francis College (SFC) and toured its state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratory.

The tour — co-led by Dr. Allen Burdowski, dean of sciences and director of the pre-health professions program at the College, and recent SFC graduate Melissa Gonzalez — was followed by remarks given by New York City Council Member Lincoln Restler, Gary Terrinoni of The Brooklyn Hospital Center (TBHC), SFC acting president Tim Cecere and others. Also present were representatives of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

During her visit to SFC, Congresswoman Velázquez presented to the College a check for $1.5 million in Community Project Funding in support of nursing lab upgrades and career training for future nurses, the latter in partnership with TBHC and others.

“With this funding, St. Francis College will work with our local hospital — The Brooklyn Hospital Center — to create and pilot a faculty-in-residence program for clinical nurses, creating a pipeline of highly trained nursing faculty for St. Francis College, while giving nurses the opportunity for professional services,” Rep. Velázquez said in her remarks today. “This funding will also allow St. Francis College to partner with local middle and high schools to expose students to careers in nursing and health care.”