10/21/11 – Riverdale, NY – The Methodist Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation awarded Manhattan College with the good neighbor award at its 160th Anniversary Gala held at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx on Oct. 20. The College was recognized for enriching the lives of the Methodist Home’s residents by helping to develop a variety of programs throughout the years that coincide with academic courses.
“The College is committed to our long-standing partnership with the Methodist Home, and we are honored to accept this award,” said William Clyde, Ph.D., executive vice president and provost at Manhattan College, after accepting the award on behalf of the College. “This is a classic symbiotic relationship, giving our students wide-ranging opportunities to learn from experience and service, while helping the Methodist Home make a wonderful difference in our community.”
One such academic program is the College’s mechanical engineering senior design course, where in lieu of a traditional final exam, students create a product that will assist seniors who have limited mobility residing at the Methodist Home. The products, which are extremely variable in size, shape and function all adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, and their creation helps to teach students not only practical applications for their skills but also respect for the greater community.
Last year’s capstone projects included: an exercise band, a pump that enables residents to fill a glass of water from their bedside pitcher, an indoor gardening table specifically designed to grow resident’s beloved African Violets, a thera-band adjustable work frame and more.
“College faculty can take advantage of the Methodist Home partnership and integrate the Home’s resources and residents into student projects, assignments, service-learning and internships,” said Lawrence Hough, CNMT, RT(N), director for the College’s radiological and health professions department and a member of the Methodist Home’s board of directors.
S. Raymond Gambino, M.D., chief medical officer emeritus of Quest Diagnostics; Dan T. Domingo, associate director of pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, veterinary medicine research and development at Pfizer Animal Health; and G. Oliver Koppel, the Methodist Home’s New York City council member representing Bronx District 11, were also acknowledged at the Anniversary Gala for their contributions to the Methodist Home.