Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant to help strengthen nursing workforce
Rome Health has been awarded nearly $5 million over five years through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s $51 million nursing initiative, a transformative investment in New York state’s nursing workforce.
The grant supports Rome Health’s pursuit of magnet recognition for nursing excellence and provides critical funding to bolster recruitment, retention and professional development.
Rome Health is one of only 13 hospitals statewide selected through a competitive application process to receive support from the new nursing initiative, which aims to address workforce shortages, reduce burnout, and enhance patient care at hospitals serving high-need populations.
“This investment in professional nursing practice will strengthen Rome Health’s role as a safety net hospital providing access to high-quality care for our most vulnerable residents,” said Rome Health President & CEO AnneMarie Czyz. “For financially challenged Upstate community hospitals like ours, this level of investment is transformative—supporting virtual nursing, continuing education, leadership development, and workforce well-being as we work toward magnet recognition.”
“Achieving magnet recognition goes beyond just a designation—it symbolizes our steadfast commitment to delivering the highest quality care to our patients and community. It also strengthens our ability to attract and retain top talent, fostering a culture of professional growth, collaboration, and excellence for all staff members,” said Chief Nursing Officer/Vice President Clinical Services Ashley Edwards. “Together, we will achieve magnet status and further solidify Rome Health as a leader in community-based healthcare, providing exceptional care to our patients and creating a workplace where every staff member feels valued and empowered.”
The grant supports Rome Health in developing innovative models of care, including virtual nursing—a flexible and team-based approach to reduce bedside nurse workload and improve efficiency. Virtual nurses can assist with admissions, discharges, documentation, and patient education, allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on care.
Rome Health’s nurse residency program will also expand through the grant, offering structured education, mentorship, and clinical experience to help new graduates transition into professional roles with confidence and competence in ambulatory settings.
This five-year grant will fund key initiatives, including consulting services, nursing certifications, tuition reimbursement, technology upgrades and leadership development. Additionally, the grant will fund new positions including a virtual nurse coordinator, two virtual RNs, a nurse informatics specialist, and an educator to expand its transitions-to-practice program into the ambulatory setting.