WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, July 16, 2024 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare organization headquartered in Wallingford, is pleased to announce that it has received $46,000 in grant funding from the Meriden-based Cuno Foundation as part of a three-year grant totaling $69,000.
Established in 1947, the Cuno Foundation supports area nonprofits for public, charitable or educational purposes.
The funding supports the implementation of Gaylord’s Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program™ to successfully transition new nurse graduates into professional practice through specialized onboarding, training, and professional development.
According to Lisa Kalafus, MSN, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer at Gaylord, the program improves decision-making skills, enhances clinical skills, promotes nursing leadership, and encourages evidence-based research.
“The Nurse Residency Program supports our new graduate RN and LPNs through the first twelve months of their careers to ensure they are equipped with the skills they need to provide high-quality patient care to our complex patient population,” said Kalafus.
“Gaylord patients recovering from a stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, or other medically complex conditions stay in our care for weeks or even months. New nurses caring for this patient population need additional interpersonal communication skills and patient safety knowledge,” she continued.
“We are deeply appreciative of the Cuno Foundation’s generous grant. The skills developed through the Nurse Residency Program will enhance our nurses’ ability to address issues that impact patient care and clinical outcomes. We want to ensure that our new nurses are supported throughout their transition from academia to practice and are fulfilled in their nursing careers for years to come.”
About the Cuno Foundation:
Charles H. Cuno founded the Cuno Engineering Corporation in 1912 and became one of Meriden's best known industrialists and most generous philanthropists. He was closely connected with the Meriden Boys Club, now known as the Joseph F. Coffey Boys and Girls Club, which named its summer camp at Beaver Pond in honor of Charles H. Cuno and his family. The Cuno Foundation was established in 1947 by Charles H. Cuno. The Cuno Foundation oversees disbursement for three trust funds: The main Cuno
Foundation Fund (Cuno Fund), the Frank Davella Educational Fund (Davella Fund), and the Cheshire Fire Department—William Grove II Memorial Scholarship Fund (Grove Fund). https://www.cunofoundation.org/the-foundation/
About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.
