CONGRATULATING SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY ON THEIR APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION GRANT; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 125
(House of Representatives - July 24, 2019)
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[Page H7249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY ON THEIR APPALACHIAN REGIONAL
COMMISSION GRANT
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
congratulate Saint Francis University on a well-deserved grant from the
Appalachian Regional Commission, otherwise known as ARC.
ARC recently announced Saint Francis University as the recipient of a
$150,000 grant to support advanced patient simulation training
equipment for the university's new Health Science Experiential Learning
Commons that will open this October.
The Commons will include much-needed space for classroom, laboratory,
and clinical education, including five state-of-the-art simulation
suites where students can practice real life clinical scenarios on
computer-controlled mannequins with the assistance of their instructors
through two-way audio-video conferencing.
The grant will be used to invest in this cutting-edge technology to
provide students with the technology needed to close the skills gap and
better prepare them for situations they will likely encounter in their
professional careers.
Saint Francis University has committed itself to career and technical
education in the health science field, and this grant will help provide
hundreds of students with the training necessary to prepare for
rewarding careers and, quite frankly, service to their community.
Investments like these are playing a critical role in developing the
21st century American workforce, in developing a workforce full of
talented individuals who can help meet today's ever-growing demand for
healthcare professionals.
Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, in particular, is in need
of healthcare professionals, and Saint Francis students are rising to
the occasion. The grant will not only support current Saint Francis
students; ARC rightfully noted, ``local employers will have access to a
pipeline of highly-skilled healthcare professionals to meet labor
demands, help create jobs and expand the local economy, and provide
quality healthcare to citizens in Appalachian Pennsylvania.''
Reverend Malachi Van Tassell, President of Saint Francis University,
noted the value that this grant adds for the students who are seeking
an education in health science. He said, ``This equipment will allow
our students to practice hands-on patient care procedures in a
simulated environment and to learn how to work in an interprofessional,
team-based setting. Beyond the benefit to our students, it will also
enable us to provide advanced training opportunities to area emergency
medical services personnel and first responders.''
Mr. Speaker, this grant is not just an investment in Saint Francis,
it is an investment in Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. It
is an investment in the lifeblood of our local communities.
When we empower learners and provide them with the necessary
resources for a conducive, innovative learning environment, our
students will thrive personally and professionally, and will provide
the best possible care to Pennsylvanians in need.
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