UHS awarded significant grant to advance nursing excellence

UHS is proud that our organization has been selected as a recipient of a transformative grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, as part of the Foundation’s new Nursing Initiative. UHS will receive nearly $3.9 million in multi-year funding to strengthen nursing excellence, support nurses at every stage of their careers, and improve outcomes for the patients and families we serve across the Greater Binghamton region.

A press conference to announce the grant and new initiative was held Wednesday, May 14 in the Wilson Main Tower lobby. As stated during the announcement, this grant places UHS among a select group of 13 hospitals statewide recognized for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable communities and for advancing innovation in the nursing profession. The Nursing Initiative is designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the healthcare workforce, including nurse burnout, staffing shortages, and the need for enhanced career pathways and mentorship.

Through this funding, UHS will pursue American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition, a prestigious designation for healthcare organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing practice and patient care. Magnet-recognized organizations are known for providing high-quality, patient-centered care, resulting in better patient outcomes, lower error rates, and fewer healthcare-acquired infections.

“UHS is honored to be a recipient of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s Nursing Initiative grant,” said Peggy Thomas, MSN, RN, CENP, vice president of Nursing and chief nursing officer at UHS. “This transformative support allows us to invest deeply in our nurses — the heart of patient care — by expanding residency programs, reducing burnout, and advancing our journey toward nursing excellence through ANCC Magnet Recognition. This investment strengthens our commitment to high-quality, compassionate care for our community and ensures that our nurses are supported, empowered, and equipped to thrive.”

The grant will also support the expansion of our nursing residency program, designed to help newly-graduated nurses transition smoothly into clinical roles with mentorship and structured learning. In addition, UHS will enhance its virtual nursing capabilities -- a growing model that helps streamline care delivery and ease frontline burdens.

“As we look to the future, we know that investing in our nurses means investing in our community’s health,” said John M. Carrigg, president and chief executive officer of UHS. “This grant empowers us to support our nursing teams in new ways—through innovation, education, and workplace culture—so they can continue delivering the compassionate, high-quality care our patients rely on.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation selected UHS from among more than 50 hospitals that applied for this competitive grant following a request for proposals. The Foundation’s decision was informed by an extensive selection process and a vision for equitable healthcare access across diverse regions of New York State.

The Nursing Initiative was developed in response to critical findings from a healthcare workforce report produced by the Foundation in partnership with the Center for Health Workforce Studies in Albany. The report identified challenges such as insufficient nurse preparedness, burnout, workplace violence, and generational shifts in career expectations—all of which the Initiative aims to address.

UHS looks forward to collaborating with the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and other grantees across the state to strengthen the future of nursing, uplift our caregivers, and improve the health of our community.

To learn more about the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, click here.