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Support for a
Nursing Partnership
A Strong
Collaboration
A unique feature of the School of Nursing is its
collaborative model with Strong Memorial Hospital and
its affiliates. Our students have access to one of the best
clinical agencies in the region and more than 400 nurse
practitioners who serve as mentors. At the same time, by
assisting in the education of our nursing students, Strong
maintains a steady pipeline of high-quality nurses for the
future, many of whom will work within the Strong network Pat Witzel ’75N, ’84S (MBA)
developing new models of care. Chief Nursing Officer at Strong Memorial Hospital
These experiences give our students firsthand knowledge
of the world’s changing health care needs. They see, and “The partnership between nursing
oftentimes implement, the powerful application of research practice at Strong Memorial Hospital and
in ways that benefit patients directly. And they learn how the School of Nursing fosters the best
to thrive in interdisciplinary teams that explore challenges clinical experiences for nursing students
from every angle, all with the best interests of patients and and provides practicing nurses with
families top of mind. lifelong learning opportunities.
The future will call for increased emphasis on nursing Recently, my husband Jim and I made a
excellence, collaboration, and research that moves pledge to provide financial support to
quickly from “the bench to the bedside.” We must expand the School to ensure students are able to
programs that keep our graduates ahead of the demand obtain a University of Rochester nursing
and delivery curve. We will ensure that our research is education and the nurses at Strong can
driven by the needs of patients, and we will provide a real- continue to advance their education and
world clinical experience that prepares our graduates to professional development.”
succeed not just tomorrow but a decade from now.
Lastly, we must remain connected to the communities we
serve and build on best practices currently in place. In
Rochester, for example, nurse practitioners are providing
school-based primary care to children who otherwise Through hands-on care, nurses are
would not have access to care. Recent graduates are setting keenly aware of patients’ needs.
up clinics in underserved areas around the world, using Innovation funds, which are monies
their knowledge and education to serve those in need. available for pilot projects, provide
Students are also promoting future career choices among the School of Nursing the opportunity
inner-city school-aged children by introducing them to the to be nimble and creative when
many facets of nursing while delivering care. attempting to bridge the gaps in
health care.
The Campaign for the School of Nursing 10
