It’s official: Siena will indeed receive $496,541 in Congressional earmark funding for “Educating Nurses for Underserved Communities.”
With passage of the 2023 federal Omnibus Appropriations bill late last month and its signing on December 29 by President Biden came confirmation that Siena will receive the funding it initially applied for last spring.
The request was selected by Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), pictured above, for inclusion in the House budget and championed by Sen. Chuck Schumer. It was one of 15 nonprofit community development projects across New York’s 20th Congressional District to be included in the federal budget under the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill.
The funding, which will become available to Siena within 60 days, will pay for educational equipment such as anatomage cadaver tables, diagnostic wall systems, vital signs monitors and more. It will allow Siena to offer an enhanced educational experience for students in this expanding program.
Schumer visited Albany’s Center for Disability Services last week to publicly announce local earmark recipients. Jenna Thate, Ph.D., RN, CNE, associate professor of nursing and department chair, was on hand to hear Siena and Maria College praised for their work in educating a new generation of nurses.
“We are truly grateful for this investment in our nursing program,” said Thate. “It will enable us to continue to prepare Siena nurses who are highly technically competent to care for our communities, and as a result of their Siena education, ready to be leaders in our health care systems working towards equity to ensure everyone has access to high-quality care."
