Generous Donation: Golisano Pledges $50 Million for Construction of the New Golisano Institute for Intellectual Disability and Development
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has received a significant boost in its mission to improve the health and quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), thanks to a $50 million philanthropic gift from B. Thomas "Tom" Golisano. This generous donation marks the largest single donation in the university's history and will establish the Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute (GIDI).
Located at the URMC, GIDI's core mission is to expand care and services for the locally affected 19,000 people with IDD, as well as the region's approximately 120,000 individuals living with these disabilities. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing health equity and specialized support for this underserved population.
GIDI will be a world-class transdisciplinary center, focusing on multidisciplinary efforts to improve quality of life, medical care, and community inclusion for individuals with IDD. The institute will offer clinical services and specialized healthcare provision, education and training programs tailored to healthcare professionals, community consultation and behavioural health support, and research aimed at understanding and addressing IDD-related challenges.
The university's existing Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing will also benefit from this gift, further integrating specialized curriculum into nursing education at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. This nursing institute aims to prepare nurses with expertise in IDD care, promoting inclusion and health equity for people with IDD.
B. Thomas "Tom" Golisano, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. His philanthropy will contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life for people with IDD at the University of Rochester. The Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in addressing the traditionally underserved population of people with IDD, providing solutions to health and quality of life issues and bolstering the university's efforts in IDD patient care.
- The Golisano Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Institute (GIDI) will focus on providing patient care for individuals with IDD, offering clinical services and specialized healthcare provision.
- GIDI's mission includes enhancing caregiver support, offering education and training programs tailored to healthcare professionals to foster specialized service for people with IDD.
- The university's existing Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing will integrate a specialized curriculum into nursing education, aiming to prepare nurses with expertise in IDD care and promoting health equity.
- In addition to patient care and caregiver support, GIDI's research will target understanding and addressing IDD-related challenges, including mental health, nutrition, fitness and exercise, and medical-conditions related to chronic diseases. This research aligns with the broader goals of health and wellness for the underserved population with IDD.
