St. John Fisher University Wegmans School of Nursing Receives Grant to Bridge The Gap, Strengthen IDD Nursing Education

The Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher University has received a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the largest grantmaking organization focused exclusively on advancing the health and well-being of New Yorkers, that announced its latest round of grants totaling over $142 million to organizations across New York State that are strengthening essential systems of care while addressing the rising and immediate needs of vulnerable New Yorkers.

As nonprofits navigate a growing demand for services, increasing operating costs, and shifts in public funding, the Foundation’s latest grantmaking cycle reflects its commitment to meeting communities where they are today and building a more resilient health landscape for the future. The Foundation’s new grants — awarded in late 2025 for 2026 programs — span its core program areas: access to healthcare, basic needs, healthcare workforce, mental and behavioral health, and the general fund to support initiatives that improve health and well-being outside the other program areas.

“Our grantee partners are navigating an incredibly challenging landscape, and yet their commitment to serving their communities continues to deepen. These grants demonstrate our resolve to stand with them by addressing urgent needs today, while strengthening the systems and workforce that will support New Yorkers’ health for years to come,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, chief executive officer of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

With this grant, as well as funding from a previous grant from the Wegmans Family Foundation focused on strengthening the healthcare workforce in Monroe County, the School of Nursing will develop an innovative LPN-to-BSN bridge pilot program designed to address the statewide shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and expand educational access for working licensed practical nurses (LPN). The new pathway will offer flexible learning options paired with immersive AR/VR clinical simulations, creating an accessible route for LPNs, particularly those in underserved and rural communities, to advance their education and meet the growing demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurse level competencies.

According to Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the School of Nursing, the initiative also responds to inconsistent clinical opportunities to work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), a longstanding challenge in nursing education.

“By expanding advancement pathways for LPNs and enhancing IDD-focused education for all nursing students, this program aims to increase the number of highly qualified nurses ready to meet the complex needs of this patient population,” said Gatlin. “This comprehensive effort reinforces Fisher’s commitment to health equity, workforce development, and the preparation of nurses who deliver inclusive, person-centered care where it is needed most.”

To ensure all students gain essential, hands-on experience, the program will incorporate a new AR/VR case study that simulates real-world IDD care scenarios. This approach guarantees high-quality, equitable experiential learning regardless of clinical site availability, strengthening both student preparation and community access to IDD-competent nurses. Building on the national leadership of Fisher’s Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing — the first of its kind in the United States — the project integrates specialized IDD training across the curriculum.

“Individuals with IDD experience significantly higher rates of health disparities, including limited access to care, misdiagnosis, and inadequate treatment, often due to a lack of provider knowledge and confidence,” said Dr. Holly Brown, executive director of the Golisano Institute. “By integrating IDD-specific content into nursing education, students develop the competencies needed to deliver inclusive, person-centered care that respects the unique needs, communication styles, and health challenges of this population.”

Brown added that nurses frequently serve as the first point of contact in healthcare settings, and equipping them with the skills to recognize and respond to the needs of individuals with IDD can lead to earlier interventions, improved health outcomes, and greater patient satisfaction.

The grant will also contribute to the strategic renovation of three existing School of Nursing classrooms to integrate AR/VR across the curriculum. Renovations will include an enhanced technology infrastructure to support AR/VR technology and tools, flexible learning spaces to accommodate both individual and group work in simulation stations, and display and projection capabilities that will integrate large interactive displays and projection systems for sharing VR experiences and facilitating group discussions.

St. John Fisher University’s Wegmans School of Nursing is the 7th largest producer of baccalaureate-prepared nurses in New York State, and the largest program outside of New York City.