Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

On Wednesday, August 14, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul visited St. John’s University’s Queens campus for a preview of the soon-to-be-opened St. Vincent Health Sciences Center. The new $106-million, 70,000-square-foot academic building is set to open for classes on September 4.

Governor Hochul was accompanied by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, New York State Assemblymember Nily Rozic, and Hope Knight, President and CEO of Empire State Development.

During her visit, Gov. Hochul mingled with students at Taffner Field House and greeted Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University. “How’s the team look this year?” she asked Fr. Shanley, who responded enthusiastically about the university's prospects.

The renovation of Taffner Field House aims to create a top-tier recreation center for the university community. The project is part of a $3-million New York State Higher Education Facilities Capital Matching Grant intended to finance a new basketball practice facility adjacent to Gate 4.

Gov. Hochul toured the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center with Brian Baumer, Associate Vice President of Campus Facilities and Services. Baumer highlighted the building's geothermal energy system featuring 66 wells drilled 499 feet below ground for heating and cooling.

“It is a St. John’s miracle that we delivered this building on time,” Baumer noted as they toured the Dorothea and Nickolas Davatzes Atrium.

Fr. Shanley emphasized that local and Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises were used throughout the project, contributing to New York’s economy by paying prevailing wages.

Gov. Hochul also visited various labs in the building including Skills and Assessment Flex Lab and radiological laboratory/X-ray room before moving upstairs to simulation labs and hospital rooms.

Anne Y.F. Lin ’84P, ’86Pharm.D., FNAP, Dean and Professor at College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences introduced several Physician Assistant program students during the tour. She explained how the technology in the building will train future health-care providers for both current conditions and unforeseen needs.

The construction was funded through private philanthropic support and public funds including a $5-million New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant, a $700,000 Empire State Development grant from Round XI of the Regional Economic Development Councils initiative, a $1.25-million federal appropriation from US Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration secured by Representative Gregory W. Meeks in the US House of Representatives and Senator Charles E. Schumer in the US Senate.

University Board of Trustees member Margaret LaRosa D’Angelo ’70Ed, ’22HON along with her husband Peter P. D’Angelo ’78MBA,’06HON pledged $20 million—the largest single gift in University history—to support construction efforts.