A healthy nursing program

Molloy names new building, school Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing

Posted

Molloy College dedicated its newest building and renamed its nursing school in a celebratory ceremony.

On April 19, about 500 people, from administrators to nursing students, sat in the sunshine to honor the completion of the Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing. The college also renamed its Division of Nursing as the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing.

“What a proud and exciting day this is,” said Dr. Jeannine Muldoon, dean of Molloy’s nursing school. “The dream of a nursing building on our campus is not a dream any longer.”

Jaclyn Malone, a junior at the nursing school, said that it was exciting to see the growth of the building since its groundbreaking on June 17, 2014, when she was a freshman, to its first classes on Jan. 20.

She praised the new nursing lab for its realism, including the responsive simulation mannequins. “Although we may feel nervous to perform assessments and provide care for these patients in front of several professors, it is such an invaluable opportunity for us, since simulation is the only place where mistakes are welcomed,” she said. “Evidence-based practice validates that mistakes made in simulation reinforce certain concepts, and enable nurses to remember where they went wrong if a mistake is made, ultimately improving the quality of care they give to real patients.”

Dr. Drew Bogner, president of Molloy College, said the nursing school was renamed because of gifts from the Hagan family, including the funds for the new building and a multi-million dollar endowment for nursing scholarships. “I think it is only fitting that the first named school at the college is connected to the generosity of this amazing woman and family,” he said. “And words can only begin to express our gratitude, but I promise you that the fullest expression of that gratitude will be all of the nurses who graduate from Molloy and go out in the world and make a difference.”

Barbara H. Hagan was born Barbara Jane Hedgecock in 1930, and grew up in Poughkeepsie. An excellent student, she skipped two grades, entering the Union University School of Nursing in Albany at 16. She graduated in 1952 with a specialty in obstetrics. Soon after, she married her husband, James Hagan. She gave birth to the first of their five children the next year, and soon gave up her nursing career at Albany Hospital. In 1956, the Hagans moved to the Dominican Republic for the family business. Barbara began a clinic for the company employees and local villagers, since medical treatment was sparse.

When the family returned to the United States, Barbara volunteered part time at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, where she helped new nurses and candy stripers. She died in 2012. “She loved learning, humor and laughter,” said David Hagan, Barbara’s son. “And she took joy in the accomplishments of others. She loved cooking, family and feeding other people. And her life was one of service.”

The Most Reverend Robert Brennan blessed the building, ending the ceremony. A reception was held in the new building, among the collection of nursing artifacts, including Barbara Hagan’s diploma, nursing cap and cape.