At the Jamestown Campus of Jamestown Community College (JCC), Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque to announce a $297,925 federal grant for the college’s nursing program. The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Nurse, Education, Practice and Retention Program. 

“With this funding JCC continues to be a leader in providing today’s students with a competitive advantage as they move into tomorrow’s jobs,” said Congressman Higgins. “Western New York is quickly emerging as an early adopter in the area of health IT and this new equipment for JCC’s nursing program allows for the hands-on experience that gives students better opportunities moving forward.”

“All of us at JCC are deeply appreciative of Congressman Higgins’ interest in and support of our nursing program,” said Dr. DeCinque. “His recognition of our need to have state-of-the-art equipment will insure that JCC is able to continue providing highly qualified nursing graduates to meet the needs of our local healthcare agencies.”

“I’d like to specially recognize Dawn Columbare, JCC’s director of nursing education, as well as our nursing faculty who all contributed to this success,” added Dr. DeCinque.

JCC will use the grant to buy new equipment to prepare students for the new high-tech realities in today’s healthcare workplace.  The college will purchase an electronic health record simulator, simulated medication dispensing systems, a variety of moderate to high-fidelity patient simulators and digital audio-video recording equipment to record patient simulator scenarios.

This federal funding is provided through a Recovery Act program that supports equipment and enhanced training for health professionals.  It is the first time JCC received a grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.  

“As one of the largest degree programs at the college, we are the largest and often the only provider of registered nurse graduates in southwestern New York and in the bordering counties of northwestern Pennsylvania,” noted Professor Columbare.

“Our graduates’ first time pass rates to become registered nurses exceed the state and the national average,” Professor Columbare stated, “and employers and graduates are highly satisfied with our program. Therefore, an investment in the nursing program at JCC is an investment in the healthcare of the citizens in our service area.”

“The high tech simulation technology provided by the grant will insure that we have state-of-the-art equipment to continue to have excellent program outcomes,” she added.

Noting that high tech simulation is becoming an essential part of nursing education, Professor Columbare said, “Simulation provides an opportunity for students to practice in a very realistic, yet safe environment as the manikin simulators respond to every aspect of care. Faculty members are able to present to all students many scenarios that they may not experience in their clinical agency rotations, thereby broadening their education.”

Congressman Higgins also noted this grant for health technology in education will complement ongoing work among local health industry leaders made possible by a $16.1 million federal grant for HEALTHeLINK, “As local hospitals and doctors, through Chautauqua County Health Network, are working on the practical implementation of electronic medical records, JCC is preparing the next generation of health care workers to seamlessly step in and deliver care with better coordination and outcomes.”

Jamestown Community College is a member of the State University of New York system providing workforce training and excellence in education to close to 4,200 students on multi-campuses each semester.