News
Major gift to Danbury Hospital assists in launching International Center for Nursing Education and Research
By Press Release
Jun 23, 2008 - 4:35:54 PM

L to R: Harold & Myra Spratt announce the establishment of the Harold, Myra and Cora Spratt Center for Nursing Education and Research at Danbury Hospital during National Nurses Week

While the nation continues to struggle with a nursing shortage that will intensify as baby boomers age and require more health care services, a leading gift to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, Inc. has established the Harold, Myra and Cora Spratt Center for Nursing Education and Research. The major gift from Harold Spratt, a member of the Danbury Hospital Development Fund board of directors and a longtime supporter, was announced at the opening of the Center during the hospital’s National Nurse’s Week Symposium in May.

“I became aware of the challenges facing the nursing profession in Danbury during my late wife Cora’s battle with cancer and my own experience receiving treatment, said Harold Spratt. “I recognize the essential role nurses play every day in providing quality medical care to patients in a comforting environment, and that inspired my decision to lead by example and establish the Center.”

According to Catherine S. Halkett, President of the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, Inc., the Harold, Myra and Cora Spratt Center for Nursing Education and Research will focus its program goals and activities on education and research in order to:

 Enhance nurse retention and recruitment,

 Establish a learning environment that promotes improved patient outcomes,

 Provide educational opportunities that enhance employee morale and collaboration; and

 Promote global sharing, learning and knowledge with partners that include the International Council of Nurses, the World Health Organization, and other international nurse leaders to further advance research in the field of nursing at Danbury Hospital.

“The Harold, Myra and Cora Spratt Center for Nursing Education and Research will continue to seek philanthropic support and expansion of its programs and services over the next several years,” said Catherine S. Halkett.

“A link has clearly been established between higher levels of nursing education and better patient outcomes,” said Moreen Donahue, DPN, RN, Chief Nurse Executive at Danbury Hospital. “The Harold, Myra and Cora Spratt Center for Nursing Education and Research will enable Danbury Hospital to offer additional opportunities for advanced studies for our nurses through tuition support and establish professional development opportunities, including continuous education workshops and publications on nursing related issues.”

Danbury Hospital is a 371-bed regional medical center and university teaching hospital associated with New York Medical College, the Yale University School of Medicine, the Connecticut School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center. It provides centers of excellence in stroke, cardiovascular services, cancer, weight-loss surgery, orthopedics, digestive disorders and radiology, with specialized programs for sleep disorders and asthma management. More than 95 percent of the medical staff is board certified in their specialties.
Danbury Hospital is ranked in the top five percent of hospitals in the country for overall clinical performance by HealthGrades®, an independent health-care rating organization, for 2005 through 2008. It is the only hospital in Connecticut ranked among the top five percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance four years in a row.

For more information, visit our website at www.danburyhospital.org.

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