A gift of love: His and hers health colleges

$10M names Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences

MIAMI, Sept. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine has a new companion, the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, named by Dr. Herbert Wertheim in honor of his companion of 44 years, his beloved wife Nicole. The $10 million gift embodies the Wertheim family's commitment to clinical and interdisciplinary research, preventive care, and the belief that the best health care is delivered when doctors and nurses work in unison.

"This gift brings together two important passions of mine: healthcare and FIU," said Dr. Wertheim, whose involvement with the university spans three decades. "I am a fortunate man to share these passions with my family and be in a position to commemorate that commitment in honor of the love of my life, Nicole. This gift reflects the love we have for our community and is a pledge to create more high quality health professionals, who will collaborate for the benefit of our community."

The gift will create a lasting legacy for thousands of students to come, and will make FIU the only university in the country with a college of medicine and a college of nursing and health sciences named for a husband and wife.

"Nurses have made a difference in my life," said Nicole Wertheim. "I am overjoyed to be able to support them and help future generations of nurses and health practitioners be the best healers they can be."

Ora Strickland, dean of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said the gift and its provisions are also a strategic part of the college's comprehensive five-year business plan to expand its graduate programs and research portfolio, while further positioning the college as a solutions center for healthcare and the local community.

"This gift is a tremendous opportunity for us to further increase the quality and breadth of the college, and change the way healthcare is not only practiced, but taught to future generations of nurses and health practitioners," Strickland said. "What an amazing legacy created by an amazing couple."

The gift will also establish the Nicole Wertheim Endowment for Nursing and Health Sciences Education and Research, and the Nicole Wertheim Nursing and Health Sciences Scholarship Endowment.

FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said the Wertheims are an integral part of both FIU's history, and its next horizon.

"The Wertheims' commitment and inspiring vision has extended across our university and improved the education for thousands of FIU students," he said. "This gift to the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences will make a remarkable difference in the education we are able to deliver to future generations of health care leaders."

Among FIU's most dedicated supporters, the Wertheims and their Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation have made many contributions to the university since 1988.

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Media Contact: Maydel Santana-Bravo 
305-348-1555
News.fiu.edu

SOURCE Florida International University