Burns: $500,000 state grant to enhance St. Francis’ health program

Grant marks another investment in local economy and education

EBENSBURG, Dec. 23 – St. Francis University’s Rural Health and Wellness project is receiving another boost thanks to a $500,000 state grant, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced today.

“This year we have seen firsthand how important it is to have quality health care available in our communities,” Burns said. “Expanding St. Francis’ healthcare programs will ensure that local students and healthcare workers can train with the latest technology and modernized learning environments, meaning they’ll be ready to help us when we need it the most.”

The Rural Health and Wellness Science Complex project includes the renovation and expansion of Sullivan Hall at the university. The renovated Sullivan Hall will feature digitally equipped classrooms, seminar rooms for small-scale, interactive classwork and a range of specialized laboratories that support the needs of each of the school's health science programs.

Equipped with spaces to model both hospital and homecare environments, the renovated and expanded facility will allow students from all disciplines to learn and practice skills in the most realistic way possible before actual clinical rotations.

The grant is only the latest in a number that Burns has helped secure to improve health care in Cambria County, from programs to train healthcare workers to projects to renovate or expand healthcare facilities.