Nursing faculty, staff and students gathered with outside guests in the auditorium of Claire Fagin Hall yesterday to celebrate the official launch of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health and the landmark $5 million gift from the NewCourtland Elder Services.
The one-year-old center focuses on addressing the needs of chronically ill people, particularly on what happens to them during changes in their health condition or status.
The gift symbolizes an investment in the powers of nursing science, said Nursing professor Mary Naylor, who called the ceremony a "truly historic afternoon" for the School of Nursing.
During the ceremony, Nursing Dean Afaf Meleis gave a lecture on the issue of transitions and spoke about her personal interest in the issue and how transition is used in research.
The important difference between transition and change is that change is external, but transition is an internal psychological process, Meleis said.
Naylor, who will direct the new research center, said it is absolutely essential to work together with clinical partners and organizations in the efforts to develop a new health-care system.
Vice Provost Steven Fluharty also expressed his gratitude for the donation, calling it a "very generous gift."
This gift is the second largest the Nursing school has received in its 72-year history.
