Senate Resolution No. 2578 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMEMORATING the 120th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth College of Nursing WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those commemorative historical events which symbolize the growth and development of the educational institutions which comprise the communities of this great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth College of Nursing; and WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing (SECON) was established in 1904 as a single purpose three-year diploma program in nursing; it was registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing and graduated its first class of seven in 1907; and WHEREAS, On October 29, 2023, the Mohawk Valley Health System and its two acute care hospitals, St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) and Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare (FSLH), began a new chapter in their provision of healthcare to the Mohawk Valley and surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, As part of New York State's "Oneida County Health Care Transformation Program," Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) was able to build the new state-of-the-art Wynn Hospital; when the Wynn Hospital opened its doors, the acute care services of SEMC and FSLH were consolidated into the new Wynn Hospital building under MVHS, Inc., the former FSLH; MVHS, Inc. became the new parent of the college; and WHEREAS, MVHS, Inc will continue to maintain the strong traditions and excellence in clinical experience that have made the college what it is today, but will offer a rare and unrivaled experience of providing clinical teaching in a brand-new state-of-the-art facility; and WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing provides their students the ability to complete over 600 clinical hours, tailored to meet the objectives of each course they take in their degree's curriculum; medical-surgical nursing and psychiatric components of these clinical hours take place at The Wynn Hospital campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System; and WHEREAS, Other specialty practices that students receive training in is obstetrical and pediatric nursing which takes place at The Wynn Hospital campus of MVHS and at Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse, New York, respectively, truly providing an in-depth hands-on education experience for every student; and WHEREAS, Throughout the curriculum, in addition to the clinical units aforementioned, students are provided the opportunity to attend scheduled clinical experiences in the community to assist in meeting objectives of the curriculum; these sites include, but are not limited to: outpatient clinics, long term care facilities, outpatient adult day care settings, and physician offices; and WHEREAS, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing now also offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing fully integrating theoretical learning with clinical experiences within a caring environment; this program contains a clinical component that combines the theory learned in class with actual nursing practice allowing for immediate transfer and application of knowledge, giving St. Elizabeth students an advantage when entering the workforce; and WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing may look back with pride upon its humble beginnings, find just satisfaction in its purposeful growth and hold true of purpose in its commitment to serving the educational needs of the citizens of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of St. Elizabeth College of Nursing; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to St. Elizabeth College of Nursing.