Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing

About

Golisano trustees and St. John Fisher University staff posing with a sign

The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing at St. John Fisher University Wegmans School of Nursing, is the first institute of its kind in the country designed to transform the health care and support of people with IDD through the integration of specialized IDD curriculum into nursing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education.

It was founded in October 2018 with a $5.8 million gift ($5 million from Tom Golisano and $800,000 from the Golisano Foundation). The Institute is dedicated to promoting positive change in developmental disability nursing to continuously advocate for this underserved population.  Through collaboration with one another, world-wide thought leaders, and community-based organizations, it has driven local, national, and international impact, leveraging expertise to develop more nurse leaders in developmental disability nursing practice.

The Golisano Institute’s inaugural fellowship program started June 14-18, 2021, to develop nursing thought leaders who support and promote the health and wellbeing of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Participation in the fellowship program is funded in full through the support of Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation.

A $5 million gift from B. Thomas Golisano and the Golisano Foundation announced December 4, 2023, supports the continued growth and expansion of the Golisano Institute to bolster its efforts to positively impact more than one million health encounters for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the next 10 years.

B. Thomas Golisano, Chairman

By preparing the next generation of nurses, thought leaders and building a network of health care professionals who care for people with developmental disabilities, St. John Fisher has demonstrated a commitment to making a significant impact on improving access to quality inclusive health care for people who are underserved.

Tom Golisano

The Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing is dedicated to promoting positive change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the vehicle of nursing.

Meet a St. John Fisher Wegmans School of Nursing alumni, Juli Williams, as she describes the impact that the Institute’s curriculum had on her life and career.

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