Innovative Clinic Opens Within NYU College of Dentistry

The New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) has opened an innovative Nursing Faculty Practice—a nurse practitioner (NP) managed primary healthcare clinic that addresses the great need for primary care among New Yorkers, particularly older adults, whose high prevalence of chronic illness puts them at risk for increased illness and disability.

A ribbon–cutting celebration was held on February 26, 2007, at the Nursing Faculty Practice, located within the NYU College of Dentistry. NYUCN Dean Terry Fulmer; sponsors Barbara and Donald Jonas of the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence; Mr. Juilo Urbina, Senior Program Officer, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.; and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D–NY); as well as leaders from NYU and the community turned out to celebrate the official opening.

"At NYUCN, we believe the standard of health care is all about creative synergies and advanced practice nursing," said College of Nursing Dean Terry Fulmer. "Nurse practitioners, in particular, are really the future of primary care in America, particularly for older adults.

"I want to express deepest thanks to our benefactors, Barbara and Donald Jonas of the Barbara & Donald Jonas Family Fund at the Jewish Communal Fund and to The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., both of whom are spectacular healthcare visionaries who have made this practice possible. We are also indebted to our colleagues at the College of Dentistry for their enthusiastic support as we move forward to create new healthcare delivery systems that improve access to care," said Dean Fulmer.

"Fifteen percent of Americans who visit their dentists each year—approximately 45 million people—do not have primary care providers," said NYUCD Interim Dean Richard I. Vogel. "In a survey of NYU dental patients, one–third reported problems accessing primary care due to their socioeconomic status and lack of insurance, and 77 percent said that they would take advantage of primary care services were they offered at NYUCD. We are delighted that this collaboration is creating a new model for healthcare delivery."

The Nursing Faculty Practice is a key part of the unique alliance between NYUCN and NYUCD. The Nursing Faculty Practice offers a core of primary care services provided by adult, geriatric and family nurse practitioners, addressing health problems such as high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes, as well as emphasizing healthy behaviors and disease prevention. Patients are drawn largely from the population seen at the NYU dental clinics, which provide nearly 300,000 dental visits a year. The Nursing Faculty Practice also has reached out to older adults through NYUCN’s free flu shot campaign and through the 20 senior centers in Manhattan that are part of NYUCD’s Senior Smiles program.

"I’m thrilled to be here," said Donald Jonas. "I honestly think we have something very exciting that can be duplicated. I’m happy to tell you the program started off really well; it’s moving along great; and we’re so pleased to be a part of it, especially with Julio and The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., on board as well. We’re going to do some great things together."

"The Fan Fox and the Leslie R. Samuel Foundation’s healthcare mission is to improve the quality of life for the elderly in New York City," said Julio Urbina, Senior Program Officer for The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation. "Our foundation prides itself on supporting smart, well–managed, cool organizations which do some really great work. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with NYU because we know that this project is going to ultimately advance our mission of improving the quality of life for the elderly."