[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY ON THEIR APPALACHIAN REGIONAL 
                            COMMISSION GRANT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate Saint Francis University on a well-deserved grant from the 
Appalachian Regional Commission, otherwise known as ARC.
  ARC recently announced Saint Francis University as the recipient of a 
$150,000 grant to support advanced patient simulation training 
equipment for the university's new Health Science Experiential Learning 
Commons that will open this October.
  The Commons will include much-needed space for classroom, laboratory, 
and clinical education, including five state-of-the-art simulation 
suites where students can practice real life clinical scenarios on 
computer-controlled mannequins with the assistance of their instructors 
through two-way audio-video conferencing.
  The grant will be used to invest in this cutting-edge technology to 
provide students with the technology needed to close the skills gap and 
better prepare them for situations they will likely encounter in their 
professional careers.
  Saint Francis University has committed itself to career and technical 
education in the health science field, and this grant will help provide 
hundreds of students with the training necessary to prepare for 
rewarding careers and, quite frankly, service to their community.
  Investments like these are playing a critical role in developing the 
21st century American workforce, in developing a workforce full of 
talented individuals who can help meet today's ever-growing demand for 
healthcare professionals.
  Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, in particular, is in need 
of healthcare professionals, and Saint Francis students are rising to 
the occasion. The grant will not only support current Saint Francis 
students; ARC rightfully noted, ``local employers will have access to a 
pipeline of highly-skilled healthcare professionals to meet labor 
demands, help create jobs and expand the local economy, and provide 
quality healthcare to citizens in Appalachian Pennsylvania.''
  Reverend Malachi Van Tassell, President of Saint Francis University, 
noted the value that this grant adds for the students who are seeking 
an education in health science. He said, ``This equipment will allow 
our students to practice hands-on patient care procedures in a 
simulated environment and to learn how to work in an interprofessional, 
team-based setting. Beyond the benefit to our students, it will also 
enable us to provide advanced training opportunities to area emergency 
medical services personnel and first responders.''
  Mr. Speaker, this grant is not just an investment in Saint Francis, 
it is an investment in Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. It 
is an investment in the lifeblood of our local communities.
  When we empower learners and provide them with the necessary 
resources for a conducive, innovative learning environment, our 
students will thrive personally and professionally, and will provide 
the best possible care to Pennsylvanians in need.

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