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

St. John’s University will formally dedicate the new $106 million St. Vincent Health Sciences Center at its Queens, NY campus on Wednesday, September 18. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the University's commitment to service, innovation, and academic excellence.

The 70,000-square-foot center will house students from the Nursing, Radiologic Sciences, and Physician Assistant programs. Designed by CannonDesign and constructed by Shawmut Design and Construction, the project began in Spring 2022.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University stated, “The opening of the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center represents our unwavering commitment to providing our students with the best possible resources and facilities.”

Simon G. Møller, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs added, “This innovative facility will not only enhance our teaching capabilities but also inspire the next generation of health-care workers.”

The building features advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive learning experiences and modern classrooms equipped with simulation labs that occupy about 25% of the floor area.

Anne Y.F. Lin ’84P, ’86Pharm.D., FNAP emphasized that the new center provides an engaging learning environment while Francine Laterza highlighted its role in expanding nursing education capacity.

Sandra Beysolow noted that training with cutting-edge technology would place graduates at the forefront of their fields.

Constructed with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems including geothermal heating and cooling, the building reflects St. John’s dedication to sustainability.

Brian Baumer praised the building as a transformative milestone for campus facilities while David Margolius from Shawmut Design lauded it as a catalyst for training future caregivers.

John Reed from CannonDesign aimed to create a transformative yet historically harmonious building while Mark Kornegay from Spectrum Enterprise spoke on how high-speed connectivity supports seamless technology integration within the center.

Funding came from various sources including private donations and public grants totaling over $7 million alongside philanthropic support from alumni like Peter P. D’Angelo and Margaret LaRosa D’Angelo amounting to more than $20 million.

The atrium is named in memory of Dorothea Hayes Davatzes and Nickolas Davatzes who made a significant contribution towards supporting St. John’s University.