A $500,000 grant to Le Moyne from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF) will address the need for more culturally and linguistically diverse health professionals by tapping the significant number of internationally trained health workers now living in the Central New York Region. The initiative will be delivered through the establishment of a regional Welcome Back Center as part of the Welcome Back Initiative, which has resulted in the opening of more than 10 centers across the nation to provide a wide range of services to trained professionals who seek to work in the U.S. healthcare sector. Le Moyne will partner with many Central New York community resource agencies to identify and reach local populations most in need of these services.
“This funding will allow Le Moyne to assist medical professionals who have received vital training in another country and have been unable to employ their health care skills in this country,” said Meega Wells, Ph.D., dean of the Purcell School of Professional Studies, which will oversee the initiative in collaboration with the College's Office of Continuing Education. “This project will draw upon the College’s expertise in delivering educational content while focusing on an entirely new area related to individuals served and the kinds of services we provide.”
"By helping to care for some of the most marginalized members of our society, the work that will be done as a result of this generous grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is perfectly aligned with our mission as a Jesuit institution," said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura. "We are honored to have been selected for this grant."
“Mother Cabrini spent her life devoted to those who faced the greatest struggles, and the Foundation named in her honor is proudly carrying on her legacy,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, chief executive officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “From supporting pediatric cardiac care units in children's hospitals to expanding mental health services to enhancing immigrants’ access to services, our inaugural grants are already making a difference in communities across New York state.”
Le Moyne was one of only nine college and universities to receive funding from the Foundation, which announced its initial round of grants on March 3. Nearly $150 million in grants to 500 activities, programs and initiatives across the state were announced by the Foundation.
The Le Moyne grant will fund the project for calendar year 2020. Since word of the grant was received in December, a team of individuals from the Purcell School and other areas of the College have been meeting with community stakeholders to plan the Center's implementation. With a goal of assisting up to 60 individuals this year, the Center's community outreach and initial information sessions will begin this spring, with educational counseling services beginning this summer. When fully operational later this year, the Center plans to provide a wide-range of services such as educational programs (including English language proficiency), refresher courses, job placement assistance, preparation for the Nursing National Council Licensure (NCLEX) exam, a lending library, resume assistance and interview practice.
About the Welcome Back Initiative: Since its inception in 2001, the Welcome Back Initiative has served close to 15,000 participants from 167 countries with a mission to build a bridge between the pool of internationally trained health workers already living in the United States and the need for linguistically and culturally competent health services in underserved communities. The centers work closely with participants to develop career pathway plans that builds on their education, experience, and skills.