Mount St. Mary’s awarded state grant for School of Health professions

A $1 million state Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund grant will support Mount St. Mary’s University and the Daughters of Charity in turning an underutilized wing of the Daughters’ St. Joseph House in Emmitsburg into the university’s new School of Health Professions, according to a news release from the university. 

The $8.2 million facility renovation project, which will house a physician assistant program and a pediatric behavioral health center, will open in October 2024.

To support the local community and beyond, these new programs will contribute to addressing the dire local and national healthcare provider shortage. 

“Working in partnership with the Daughters of Charity, the Mount’s School of Health Professions will enhance existing community revitalization efforts by graduating highly qualified healthcare professionals while also providing much-needed pediatric behavioral health services in Northern Frederick County,” said Christine McCauslin, dean of the School of Health Professions. “We are grateful to the state of Maryland for providing seed grant funding to support this endeavor that will bring new life to our community and contribute to addressing a critical healthcare provider shortage.”

The School of Health Professions will serve as a leading-edge medical education facility that graduates the next generation of healthcare leaders. According to the news release, key initiatives will include:

• Care for America, a program in partnership with the Daughters of Charity that is dedicated to promoting healthcare equity;
• The Center for Clinician Well-Being that helps students build the mindsets and skills to maintain their well-being and prevent burnout throughout their healthcare careers; and
• A pediatric behavioral health center that will provide a therapeutic environment for children dealing with behavioral issues as well as training for parents, teachers and other professionals.

Once completed, the new school is projected to draw 700-plus new visitors to Emmitsburg annually as well as provide new employment opportunities, the university said. The School of Health Professions is a focus of the university’s $50 million Our Moment, Our Mission, Our Mount campaign and has secured gifts from alumni, foundation partners, friends of the university and corporate partners.

The Seed Fund is administered by the Maryland Housing and Community Development Department, which offers funding for revitalization and redevelopment projects through seven programs. The Seed Fund provides funding for higher education institutions and hospitals in disinvested areas of the state. To qualify, institutions must provide matching funds through a private source. In fiscal year 2024, the department is providing $63.7 million in funding for 219 projects across the state, including $10 million for Seed.

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