Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider, and Maynooth University, one of Ireland’s fastest growing universities, have announced a strategic affiliation at a special event in New York.
The affiliation agreement aims to advance nursing education through transatlantic collaboration, and coincides with UN High-Level Week, where global leaders gather to address the most pressing challenges of our time.
This strategic affiliation marks a significant milestone for Maynooth University, reflecting both institutions’ shared commitment to advancing innovative models for health education. The collaboration supports the ongoing development of Maynooth University’s new School of Nursing, which will emphasise digital health innovation to improve patient care and outcomes, and strengthens ties between Ireland and Northwell Health in the US.
Northwell Health’s Institute for Nursing promotes health and quality patient care through advancing nursing science at all levels of practice. Its leadership in education and research aligns closely with Maynooth University’s vision for its School of Nursing, which is grounded in care, focused on the future, and deeply integrated with digital health.
Through this affiliation, Maynooth University will have a unique opportunity to incorporate best practices from a global health leader into its curriculum and research. By collaborating with advanced US nursing programmes, Maynooth will integrate cutting-edge digital health innovations, shaping Ireland’s future nursing professionals.
The affiliation agreement was signed at a panel event titled ‘Advancing Nursing in a Digital Age’ hosted at Northwell Health’s Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. The gathering brought together leading experts in digital health, nursing, medicine, and academia to discuss the future of healthcare.
Speaking about the collaboration, President of Maynooth University, Professor Eeva Leinonen, said: "This collaboration with Northwell Health marks a pivotal moment for Maynooth University as we launch our new School of Nursing. The nursing shortage is global, and new models for nursing education built around partnerships that facilitate shared models for learning and the exchange of knowledge on innovative best practices will be critical to addressing this challenge. This affiliation is an example of how the close ties between the US and Ireland can drive innovation to make a real difference to the future of healthcare."
Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell Health, said: "It’s clear to healthcare leaders worldwide that nurses are central to solving today’s major healthcare challenges. We need more highly qualified nurses and education programs that embed digital skills into practice. Tackling the global nursing shortage will require fresh ideas, collaboration, and the ability to learn from diverse healthcare systems. This affiliation with Maynooth University, and Ireland’s newest nursing school, reflects our shared commitment to innovation and education. I’m proud to further strengthen the Irish-American connection as we work together to meet the evolving needs of nursing globally."
Addressing the conference, Ambassador of Ireland to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, said: “I welcome today’s announcement by Maynooth University and Northwell Health of a Strategic Affiliation to advance student learning and excellence in health education. As a proud Maynooth University alumna, I am delighted to see such a strong commitment to international engagement and partnership in the development of Ireland’s newest School of Nursing.”
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The event was attended by expert panellists such as Dr Pam Cipriano, President of the International Council of Nurses, and Karley Yoder, Chief Digital Officer of GE Healthcare, alongside Maynooth University’s Founding Head of Nursing, Professor Fintan Sheerin, and Professor Martin Curley, Digital Health Lead, Innovation Value Institute at Maynooth University.
Outlining plans for the new School of Nursing, Professor Sheerin emphasised its mission to cultivate compassionate, innovative nurses equipped for the future:
“Our curriculum will combine scientific rigour with empathy and will foster inclusive pathways for diverse learners while promoting clinical excellence through community-based placements. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and digital health integration, we aim to have a transformative impact on healthcare delivery, research, and education.”
In addition to the ‘Advancing Nursing in a Digital Age’ event, Maynooth University’s Innovation Value Institute (IVI), is coordinating a concurrent conference in New York titled ‘AI in Healthcare: Transforming Data into Decisions and Outcomes.’ Led by Professor Martin Curley, the conference focuses on the application of AI in healthcare and explores how data can be used to improve healthcare outcomes.
The week also saw the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a pivotal event aimed at accelerating progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Summit of the Future, held during UNGA, highlights the need for stronger international cooperation to tackle urgent challenges like climate change, poverty, inequality, ongoing conflicts, and global health crises.
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Clockwise from top left: Prof Fintan Sheerin, MU's founding Head of Nursing; Karley Yoder, Chief Digital Officer at GE Healthcare; the discussion panel; Edwidge Thomas, Vice President Clinical Solutions at Northwell Holdings and Dr Pam Cipriano, President of the International Council of Nurses