NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Marks Inaugural Graduation for In-House Resident Education Program

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Marks Inaugural Graduation for In-House Resident Education Program

25 nursing home residents earned certificates of completion from Gouverneur University

Jun 30, 2026

New York, NY - Joining graduation season, the NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur skilled nursing facility celebrated its inaugural class graduation of Gouverneur University, the in-house resident education program launched in October 2025. This program was designed to enrich the lives of both short-term and long-term residents, fostering intellectual stimulation and lifelong engagement through monthly classes on art, fashion, history, and New York City film and media. Twenty-five nursing home residents earned certificates of completion from Gouverneur University as part of its inaugural class.

The ceremony included a traditional graduation march with pomp and circumstance, caps, lanyards, music, and certificates of completion. The keynote address was delivered by Community School District 1 Superintendent Dr. Carry Chan-Howard, along with special remarks from NYC Council Member Christopher Marte. Valedictorian Wendy Lau and Resident Representative Robert Josen also shared their experiences participating in the program and overall living at Gouverneur.

"The residents embraced this new program with enthusiasm, and all were proud to participate in the Graduation. It was a wonderful event for the graduation season," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Chief Executive Officer Susan Sales, MPA, FACHE, LNHA.

"As we continue on the path of recovery, I hope to see even more opportunities for interpersonal connection through activities, concerts, outings, lectures, and special events that enrich our lives and strengthen our community," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Resident Representative Robert Josen. "I am especially grateful to the rehabilitation teams, to whom I owe tremendous gratitude for helping me recover from a debilitating stroke."

"Lifelong learning at Gouverneur keeps the mind engaged and each day meaningful. How wonderful it was for our residents to learn together all year and celebrate their accomplishments with family members," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Deputy Executive Director Sunni Silver, MPA, LNHA.

The educational program, Gouverneur University, launched with a Q&A panel discussion with Gouverneur CEO Susan Sales and other guests, entitled "Reaching Your Finish Line - Setting Goals and Making Them Happen" with a focus on reflections of life experience, impact and legacy, wisdom and lessons, celebration and looking forward. The program will expand its curriculum to include facilitators from partners in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In collaboration with Gouverneur residents, class topics including music and the arts are already being finalized for the upcoming Fall semester.

Residents who participate in continuing education programs and activities experience long-term health benefits that support memory, critical thinking, cognitive stimulation and executive function, while decreasing the overall sense of isolation often experienced in nursing homes.

"Gouverneur has always been more than a health care facility. It is a community where residents deserve joy, connection, and opportunities to keep learning at every stage of life," said Council Member Christopher Marte. "I was proud to celebrate the first graduating class of Gouverneur University and recognize 25 residents whose curiosity and commitment remind us that education does not end at any age. Congratulations to the graduates, the staff, and everyone who made this program possible."

"Congratulations to our first cohort of nursing home resident graduates who successfully completed the 'Gouverneur University' educational program. Never stop learning, growing, and pursuing all that brings you joy," said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Community Advisory Board Chair Pauline Lock.

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Media Contacts:

Rafael Dominguez, [email protected], NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur

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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur
Conveniently located on Manhattan's Lower East Side and accessible by mass transportation from most parts of New York City, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur operates a 295-bed Nursing Facility, providing state-of-the-art care for short-term rehabilitation, long-term and hospice care. Gouverneur is an academic affiliate of NYU School of Medicine and Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, providing high-quality sub-acute rehabilitation medicine and skilled nursing services.Gouverneur has been meeting the healthcare needs of New Yorkers for more than 140 years. The facility received a 5-star CMS Overall Rating and 5-Star CMS Quality Rating; ranked #1 in New York City by Newsweek's 2026 Best Nursing Homes and has earned high-performance rating in long-term care and short-term rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report - 2026 Best Nursing Homes. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/gouverneur.

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city's five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system's trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth health plan-all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.