Stromstad stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships in our community which positively affect both education and healthcare.  She thanked the President and the College for their commitment and dedication to educational excellence in our community.  She noted that a large percentage of employees at Waterbury Hospital and within the Greater Waterbury Health Network have, at one point in their careers, been students at NVCC.

The gift supports a major naming opportunity in the Center’s Community Room which is centrally located on the main level next to the two-story atrium. The room anchors the College’s welcome to students, businesses, and community groups; it enables NVCC to practice an important part of its mission—to respond to emerging community needs. Its modern design allows room configurations that can accommodate groups of all sizes and can allow one to three events to be held simultaneously. Leaders from education, government, business, and the community will benefit from the state-of-the-art audiovisual system and internet connections that support conferences, classes, exhibits, celebrations, and special events. The prime location offers a fireplace that encourages visitors to feel at home. The Community Room is designed to be an education, training, and community destination for NVCC’s 22-town service region and beyond. 

Stromstad encouraged other hospitals and health care providers to join in support of the new Center. “GWHN is honored to be the first of what I expect to be many health care sponsorships of this important new community asset. I look forward to my colleagues also joining in this important tradition of supporting health care education in our community.”    

Dr. Peter Jacoby, Champion of the NVCC Capital Campaign and Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital, was enthusiastic about Waterbury Hospital’s leadership and great example. “Kudos to Waterbury Hospital for being the first hospital in the region to step up and support this campaign.” Jacoby noted that the Nursing and Allied Health programs of Naugatuck Valley Community College are “feeders” for area hospitals. The students that graduate from Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, and Respiratory Care will staff these hospitals. 

“We are confident in the hope that other hospitals will remember this connection and follow the example of Waterbury Hospital.”

Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, also a champion of the campaign noted that, “the College is such a key resource for health care teaching and collaboration. This new Center gives the health care community unprecedented opportunity. We hope that other hospitals and health care providers will join the Great Waterbury Health Network in supporting the Center.” 

President De Filippis acknowledged the generosity of leadership and exemplary contribution. “Your example creates an opportunity to make a case for the good work we do here and its importance in the lives of our students and communities.”