Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing Unveils Strategic Plan
September 29, 2026
St. John Fisher University’s Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing has released its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, outlining an ambitious national agenda to strengthen the nursing workforce, expand evidence based practice, and accelerate systems level reforms in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The plan aligns closely with Fisher’s institutional priorities around academic excellence, community impact, and national leadership in health professions education.
The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing was founded in 2018 with a mission to transform care for people with IDD by equipping nurses with specialized knowledge and competencies. The only institute of its kind, it has experienced rapid growth, and over the next three years, the Institute aims to reach 15,000 learners, produce 75 scholarly contributions, and catalyze 200 organizational, policy, and systems changes—milestones that reinforce Fisher’s commitment to advancing health equity and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
“Our goal is simple: a healthcare system where every person with IDD receives high‑quality, informed, and person‑centered care. This strategic plan builds on eight years of momentum and positions us to drive national change at scale, in partnership with the University, the Wegmans School of Nursing, and our growing network of nurse leaders across the country,” said Dr. Holly Brown, executive director of the Institute.
The Institute’s new strategic plan outlines three core priorities:
Workforce Readiness: Prepare the nursing and interprofessional workforce through the nationwide distribution of high-impact, IDD-inclusive educational content for pre- and post-licensure learners to shape a more capable and inclusive health care workforce.
Thought Leadership: Generate and disseminate evidence that informs nursing education, clinical practice, policy, and workforce development across the nation.
Systems Transformation: Advance systemic reforms at the national level while preparing and connecting an elite cadre of nurse leaders into a collaborative network to drive change locally, contribute to national reforms, and surface and scale proven solutions.
These priorities reinforce Fisher’s institutional strategic plan, "Fisher 2030: Pathways to Purpose," which emphasizes student success, organizational innovation, and community engagement.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Institute has delivered high‑impact programs and national leadership that has formed the foundation for its next chapter. Key accomplishments include:
National Accreditation: The Institute earned national accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, underscoring the quality of its educational offerings, which have reached learners in 47 states.
Major grant-funded initiatives to strengthen IDD care: The Institute has secured significant external funding, including a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant—Fisher’s first NIH award—to investigate and mitigate diagnostic overshadowing caused by ableism in healthcare.
Systems-based collaborations to reduce prolonged hospital stays for individuals with IDD: Through multi-partner initiatives, the Institute has helped nurse leaders implement evidence-based practices that improve care quality and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.
Expansion of inclusive health curricula for advanced practice providers: Supported by Special Olympics Health and the Centers for Disease Control, the Institute has developed and piloted national advanced practice providers residency modules that strengthen inclusive care across the lifespan.
Thought leadership and board representation: There is Institute representation on national boards including the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry; the Institute serves as a thought partner on national initiatives related to provider education with Project DIME and is leading an effort to establish nursing competencies in the care of people with IDD.
Curriculum partnerships with national organizations: The Institute now partners with National Down Syndrome Society to offer continuing education credit for nurses through the CARE Down Syndrome initiative, expanding access to specialized nursing education to improve care for adults with Down syndrome. Nurses can now earn up to 6.25 free American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours as part of their continuing education through CARE.
The Institute will also be convening a multi-day national summit focused on advancing health equity, systems transformation, and workforce development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in September of 2027.
To learn more about the Golisano Institute, visit the Institute website.
Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing Unveils Strategic Plan 2026-09-29T07:58:00-04:00St. John Fisher University’s Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing has released its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, outlining an ambitious national agenda to strengthen the nursing workforce, expand evidence based practice, and accelerate systems level reforms in care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).The plan aligns closely with Fisher’s institutional priorities around academic excellence, community impact, and national leadership in health professions education.
The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing was founded in 2018 with a mission to transform care for people with IDD by equipping nurses with specialized knowledge and competencies. The only institute of its kind, it has experienced rapid growth, and over the next three years, the Institute aims to reach 15,000 learners, produce 75 scholarly contributions, and catalyze 200 organizational, policy, and systems changes—milestones that reinforce Fisher’s commitment to advancing health equity and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
“Our goal is simple: a healthcare system where every person with IDD receives high‑quality, informed, and person‑centered care. This strategic plan builds on eight years of momentum and positions us to drive national change at scale, in partnership with the University, the Wegmans School of Nursing, and our growing network of nurse leaders across the country,” said Dr. Holly Brown, executive director of the Institute.
The Institute’s new strategic plan outlines three core priorities:
Workforce Readiness: Prepare the nursing and interprofessional workforce through the nationwide distribution of high-impact, IDD-inclusive educational content for pre- and post-licensure learners to shape a more capable and inclusive health care workforce.
Thought Leadership: Generate and disseminate evidence that informs nursing education, clinical practice, policy, and workforce development across the nation.
Systems Transformation: Advance systemic reforms at the national level while preparing and connecting an elite cadre of nurse leaders into a collaborative network to drive change locally, contribute to national reforms, and surface and scale proven solutions.
These priorities reinforce Fisher’s institutional strategic plan, which emphasizes student success, organizational innovation, and community engagement.
Since its establishment in 2018, the Institute has delivered high‑impact programs and national leadership that has formed the foundation for its next chapter. Key accomplishments include:
National Accreditation: The Institute earned national accreditation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, underscoring the quality of its educational offerings, which have reached learners in 47 states.
Major grant-funded initiatives to strengthen IDD care: The Institute has secured significant external funding, including a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant—Fisher’s first NIH award—to investigate and mitigate diagnostic overshadowing caused by ableism in healthcare.
Systems-based collaborations to reduce prolonged hospital stays for individuals with IDD: Through multi-partner initiatives, the Institute has helped nurse leaders implement evidence-based practices that improve care quality and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.
Expansion of inclusive health curricula for advanced practice providers: Supported by Special Olympics Health and the Centers for Disease Control, the Institute has developed and piloted national advanced practice providers residency modules that strengthen inclusive care across the lifespan.
Thought leadership and board representation: There is Institute representation on national boards including the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry; the Institute serves as a thought partner on national initiatives related to provider education with Project DIME and is leading an effort to establish nursing competencies in the care of people with IDD.
Curriculum partnerships with national organizations: The Institute now partners with National Down Syndrome Society to offer continuing education credit for nurses through the CARE Down Syndrome initiative, expanding access to specialized nursing education to improve care for adults with Down syndrome. Nurses can now earn up to 6.25 free American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) contact hours as part of their continuing education through CARE.
The Institute will also be convening a multi-day national summit focused on advancing health equity, systems transformation, and workforce development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in September of 2027.
To learn more about the Golisano Institute, visit the .
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