St. Bonaventure University has received $1.1 million in federal funding to support the development of a Center for Rural Health Innovation and Training, a major initiative designed to strengthen healthcare access, workforce development and training across underserved rural communities in Western New York.

The funding was secured through a federal earmark sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), whose support was instrumental in advancing the project. The funding was part of nearly $9.3 million in earmarks secured for seven projects in Western New York that were sponsored either solely or jointly by Sen. Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

“This investment will support critical community projects throughout Western New York. We are building a better future for Western New Yorkers,” Schumer said. “These projects will help institutions enhance workforce development, create new jobs, feed the community, and address rural healthcare shortages. I will always fight to deliver more federal resources for institutions in Western New York to support the community’s needs.

Housed within St. Bonaventure’s DePerro School of Health Professions, the proposed center will serve as a regional hub for training healthcare professionals, advancing technology-enabled education and research, and supporting innovative approaches to rural healthcare delivery.

The initiative responds to persistent challenges facing rural communities throughout the Southern Tier and surrounding regions, including provider shortages, limited access to preventive services, and significant health disparities.

“This funding represents a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of rural communities that have been underserved for far too long,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “We are deeply grateful to Sen. Schumer for recognizing the importance of this initiative and for his continued advocacy on behalf of Western New York.”

The Center for Rural Health Innovation and Training will focus on preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals while also supporting the current workforce through continuing education, advanced skill training and exposure to emerging healthcare technologies.

“St. Bonaventure has a long tradition of service rooted in our Franciscan mission,” said Dr. Swagata Banik, dean of the DePerro School of Health Professions. “For many rural families, access to care is shaped by geography, workforce shortages, and limited resources, and this investment allows us to respond in a meaningful and lasting way.” 

The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with local healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics and community organizations to ensure that programs are responsive to regional needs and sustainable over the long term.

The funding will help address critical healthcare challenges facing rural communities in Western New York.

“Too many families struggle to access timely, high-quality healthcare,” Banik said. “By strengthening the full pipeline from education to practice and expanding technology-enabled teaching, hands-on training, and translational research, this investment will help train and retain healthcare professionals who are equipped to deliver compassionate, high-quality care and strengthen the rural healthcare workforce where it is needed most across Western New York.”

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).