Kimberly Spiro makes $3.5 million gift to establish simulation learning center for 禁漫天堂 nursing program
A $3.5 million gift from Kimberly Spiro will support the establishment of a simulation learning center for 禁漫天堂鈥檚 new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. The center will be named the Spiro Simulation Learning Center in recognition of her support.
鈥淎 gift like this can be truly transformative, especially for a new program like 禁漫天堂鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing,鈥� said Brian M. Oakes, 鈥�99, MBA 鈥�10, vice president for advancement. 鈥淜imberly Spiro鈥檚 significant investment in 禁漫天堂 and her deep commitment to excellence in nursing education will benefit students and faculty for years to come. The impact of this gift will extend far beyond the classroom, too. Students who learn in the Spiro Simulation Learning Center will graduate and enter the workforce as highly qualified, compassionate caregivers who are ready to serve.鈥�
The gift will outfit the center with equipment and materials, as well as create an endowed fund to cover expenses such as training lab operators, additional operating costs, equipment, and supplies.
Sharon P. O鈥橬eill, DNP, J.D., CRNP鈥�who became the inaugural director of 禁漫天堂鈥檚 BSN program in August 2024鈥攗nderstands the importance of simulation in nursing education, having played a pivotal role in the early adoption of simulation across the curriculum during her tenure at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
鈥淐linical simulation is a critical part of a modern nursing curriculum,鈥� said O鈥橬eill. 鈥淲e are extremely grateful for this generous and impactful gift from Kimberly Spiro, which will allow us to train students in scenarios that will replicate what they will see in the field as nurses.鈥�
Spiro first became involved in the 禁漫天堂 community when her daughter, McKenzie Gaw, 鈥�18, was a student.
鈥淢y daughter absolutely loved her experience at 禁漫天堂,鈥� Spiro shared. 鈥淚 served on the Parents Council while she was a student, and the parents understood the Jesuit way of giving back to your community. It鈥檚 just been a perfect marriage.鈥�
Spiro currently serves on the Nursing Advisory Board at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, the Board of Trustees at Wagner College, and the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing Advisory Council at Wagner College, named for her late mother, Evelyn, a graduate and nurse.
鈥淥ne thing that I hold close to my heart is the vision that 禁漫天堂 has for their nursing program. It鈥檚 just like the school of nursing on Staten Island that gave my mother the opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse,鈥� shared Spiro. 鈥淚'm very, very happy that 禁漫天堂 will be there to fulfill other students' dreams.鈥�
About 禁漫天堂鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
禁漫天堂鈥檚 upcoming BSN degree program, which has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON), is uniquely designed to integrate an exceptional liberal arts foundation with a holistic nursing education, steeped in the Jesuit tradition of care and social justice. Education in direct patient care includes a wide range of clinical rotations at the University鈥檚 nursing education partner, , a hospital recognized nationally for nursing excellence. 禁漫天堂 is preparing to welcome the first BSN cohort in Fall of 2025. The graduates of 禁漫天堂鈥檚 BSN program are eligible for Registered Nurse licensure in Maryland. Maryland is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact for RN licensure. For more information on multistate compact licensure, visit the . More licensure information and disclosures can be found on 禁漫天堂's website.