Canisius receives $1.4 million to expand allied health programs

Submitted by Canisius University

Canisius has been awarded a $1.4 million grant through the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) to expand allied health programming at the university.

The grant will be used to construct and equip allied health-related laboratories and facilities in Science Hall necessary to launch new programs and support the goals of the university’s new strategic plan: “Answer the Call.”

Expansion plans include the construction of 15,700 square-feet of laboratories, associated instructional space, and offices. Additions will include spaces equipped with state-of-the-art simulation technologies including Anatomage virtual dissection tables and high-fidelity patient simulators.

“We are extremely thankful for this grant,” President Steve K. Stoute said. “It will provide us with the resources to help meet the critical local need for health care providers to deliver primary care to those in our region.”

Canisius received a HECap grant in 2019, which enabled the university to build and launch its physician assistant studies graduate program. The program emphasizes boosting diversity in the allied health workforce across Western New York and alleviating the shortage of primary care practitioners who serve its residents.

HECap projects were chosen following a competitive application and selection process by the three-member HECap matching grant program board. Current board members are State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky; Assembly member Patricia Fahy; and Michael Smingler, division chief at the New York State Division of Budget and chair of the HECap board.