(from left) Amy Rouze, AVP/branch manager, Investors Bank; Linda Martin, senior market manager, Investors Bank; Misty Isak, director of Development, Thomas Edison State University and Dr. Filomela Marshall, dean, W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State University.
The Investors Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations that enrich the diverse communities served by Investors Bank, has awarded a $37,500 grant to the Thomas Edison State University Foundation to support the development of an innovative Virtual Clinical Simulation program in the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing.
"As part of this program, our more than 3,000 nursing students will have access to sophisticated digital representations of patients, integrated with advanced technology and software, which will enable them to practice vital assessment in an online learning environment," explained Dr. Filomela Marshall, dean of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. "This technology will supplement our students’ on ground nursing experience, enabling them to develop optimal critical thinking and decision-making skills in an interactive environment at no risk to real patients."
The grant, which will be awarded over the course of three years, will enable the school to acquire the simulation software as well as one patient "avatar." The technology is used by a variety of industries, including not only healthcare but also engineering, architectural and special effects.
"We are enormously grateful for the generosity of the Investors Foundation," said John P. Thurber, vice president for Public Affairs at the college. "Their funding makes it possible for the college to respond to the needs of our students and provide an important technological component in their education. Their support, and that of all our donors and partners, is vital to the pursuit of our mission."
Vi-Anne Antrum, DNP