Assemblymember Brindisi Announces HECap Grant Funding

May 4, 2012

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi (D-Utica) announced that $227,458 was awarded to the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing through the Higher Education Capital Matching Grants Program (HECap).

"St. Elizabeth College of Nursing is a vital resource for the Mohawk Valley," Assemblymember Brindisi said. "Having it nearby gives area students a leg up on the competition and it provides students an opportunity to excel in the ever-growing field of health care."

The HECap program was established in 2005. Since then, it has successfully assisted many independent schools, and usually requires participants to come up with a 3-to-1 match in funding. Small schools like St. Elizabeth’s can apply for a waiver from this obligation. The college was able to generate $198,920 through a variety of outlets, including student tuition, grant funds and revenue collected by the medical center from third-party reimbursements, noted Assemblymember Brindisi.

"This funding will be helpful both to the College as it fulfills its mission and to the students as they gain experience," said Richard Ketcham, President/CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. "We are very pleased to receive this vote of confidence from the HECap program."

More specifically, the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing will use the HECap grant to upgrade equipment for, among other things, its classroom technology, furniture, computer training rooms for students and faculty, science labs and a nursing simulation lab.

"Keeping up with technology is essential, especially in the field of health care," Assemblymember Brindisi said. "These renovations will ensure that the school keeps pace with the changing world and remains able to provide the most cutting-edge education possible, better preparing students for the health care jobs of the future."

Marian Kovatchitch, President of the College of Nursing, stated that "the awarding of the HECap grant is welcome news and will provide further opportunities for the College to continue its exemplar work as a leader in Nursing education in the Mohawk Valley." Mrs. Kovatchitch also expressed her appreciation to the Medical Center for continued support of the College, Assemblymember Brindisi for his support of the grant application and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York for approval of the grant request.

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