Gwynedd Mercy University receives a gift of $ 10 million

GENTLE GWINED – Gwynedd University of Mercy received what he calls a “transformational” gift from the Maguire Foundation. A $ 10 million gift will allow the university to build an innovative Francis M. Maguire campus at its main campus in Lower Gwynedd.

The construction of the new 65,000-square-foot Francis M. Maguire Health Innovation Center will be a central part of the Health Innovation Campus, helping to address the shortage of health workers across the country. The university will also draw on the university’s “strength and reputation” in training highly qualified charity professionals as part of the Mercy tradition, the university said in announcing the gift.

Maguire was a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy College in 1955.

“We can’t think of a better way to honor the memory of our beautiful mother,” said Megan Maguire Nicoletti, president and CEO of the Maguire Foundation. “She loved her time at GMercyU and has always been sincerely interested in helping future generations of students succeed.”

This latest gift brings the Maguire Foundation’s total commitment to the university of more than $ 20 million. The foundation has provided scholarship support to more than 50 GMercyU students through the Maguire Scholars program, which began in 2012. In addition, the Maguire Foundation supported the university’s nursing care program by naming Francis M. Maguire School of Nursing and Medical Professions and Francis M. Maguire Hall, Chief Academic Building for Nurses, Medical Professions and Science Students.

“The Maguire Foundation has been a staunch supporter of Catholic higher education, and the Maguire have been steadfast and generous friends with the University of Gwynedd of Mercy,” said Dean D’Emilia, president of the University of Gwynedd of Mercy. “We are thrilled to be able to continue to cherish the life and legacy of Francis M. Maguire through a state-of-the-art healthcare innovation center and campus dedicated to enhancing our ability to provide unique and distinctive“ Mercy ”training for tomorrow’s nurses. and other health professionals. ”

Construction of the new Francis M. Maguire Health Innovation Center is expected to begin in the next 9-12 months.

A university spokeswoman said the institution would focus on programming and partnerships that address “technology convergence and person-centered charitable care” in line with the university’s vision to become a Catholic University leader in vocational and medical education.

The space will include exciting simulation and lab skills to give students the opportunity to practice clinical skills. It will also provide space for collaboration between programs to provide optimized patient care, best practice in health care.

The development of the Innovative Campus in Health is part of a broader strategic plan to strengthen Gwynedd University of Mercy’s reputation for training “Outstanding Alumni of Mercy,” the press release said.

The university has recently embarked on a number of improvements to existing campus facilities, including the addition of a roundabout and footpaths, as well as planned renovations to one of its residential halls – Loyola Hall. According to Kirsten Swanson, director of marketing communications and social media at Gwynedd Mercy University, the renovation of the Loyola Hall is set to begin this month. She added that the first stage of reconstruction is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2023.

In February 2020, a modern virtual environment for learning radiation therapy (VERT) was added, which gives students the opportunity to practice methods of modeling radiation therapy with 3D views and life-size visualizations.

In November 2020, the university added the Anatomage Table, a life-size dissection table that provides an interactive view of the human body and 150 other species. The university also recently added a new dummy to model the Nursing Anne with removable parts and accessories to create a variety of simulated patients.

D’Emilia added that as the school approaches its 75th anniversary in 2023, it continues to focus on adding more “modern tools and technologies that support innovative teaching and learning initiatives”.

The University of Gwynedd of Mercy, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1948, is a joint educational institution offering more than 40 programs for bachelor’s, master’s and master’s degrees, as well as two full-time and part-time doctoral programs. By the fall of 2021, the university had 2,304 students and 850 medical students. For more information, visit gmercyu.edu.