Grand Opening of Nazareth's York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute, Sept. 18

This $16.5 million renovated, expanded building provides the best collaborative learning environments and clinic spaces among northeast colleges of similar size.

ROCHESTER, NY (09/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College unveiled the newly-named York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute this morning. This $16.5 million renovated, expanded building provides the best collaborative learning environments and clinic spaces among northeast colleges of similar size. Nazareth President Daan Braveman announced the naming of the Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute for the York family, paying tribute to the family's contributions to health care that have spanned four generations and more than a century. The York Institute doubles the School of Health and Human Services clinic and collaboration space, and provides a progressive interprofessional teaching and learning environment where students and faculty can collaborate in clinical services, research, and the development of innovative practices. The expansion and reconfiguration is expected to boost enrollment by an estimated 30 percent and will equip Nazareth graduates with the skills needed for the rapidly changing world of health care.

As a Nazareth College board member who co-chaired the Institute's Advisory Council, Frank York was actively involved in the visioning and planning of this innovative Institute, and the building's renovation and expansion.

"The York family is honored to support Nazareth College in preparing the next generation of health care professionals while recognizing the generations of dedicated and caring professionals who came before them," said York. "We are committed to the future of the profession by helping to give pioneering young minds a state-of-the-art facility in which to learn their skills."

"Nazareth would like to thank all of the individuals, foundations and others whose support and investment made the York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute a reality," said Nazareth College President Daan Braveman. "The York Institute is a national model for the inter-professional training of the next generation of health care providers who will serve our region and beyond."

Special thanks for the support provided by the Duda Family Foundation, The William & Sheila Konar Foundation, Drs. Dawn & Jacques Lipson, the Peckham Family, The Wegman Family Foundation, the Louise S. & Molly B. Wolk Foundation, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, and the Fred L. Emerson Foundation whose Challenge Grant raised the final gifts to close the campaign.

Few colleges offer Nazareth's array of health and human service programs including art therapy, music therapy, nursing, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), social work and speech-language pathology. Nazareth students can complete a master's degree in OT in five years and a doctorate in PT in six years. Nazareth is also set apart by its clinics within the York Institute that offer affordable wellness, rehabilitative, and related educational services to children and adults with varying abilities and needs who are underserved or require supplemental services.

"The York Institute showcases our philosophy of integrating academic and clinical education and preparing our HHS students to work in an interprofessional environment with a focus on holistic person-centered clinical services and wellness," said York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute Director Shirley Szekeres. "The environment of the Institute promotes collaboration, communication and a sense of well-being for our faculty students and clients."

Quick Look at The York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute:

  • Doubles the clinic and collaboration space to 66,700 square feet, bringing all Nazareth's health and wellness fields under one roof.
  • Promotes learning and collaboration across disciplines such as nursing, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, art and music therapy and social work.
  • Facilitates student-faculty research through proximity and new meeting spaces to improve health and wellness outcomes and clinical practice.
  • Clients benefit from high-quality, person-centered services at minimal to no cost.

Nazareth College's academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y., challenges and supports 2,000 undergrads and 800 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon arts and sciences core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life's work.

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