FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Nitzberg (914) 654-5285

THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE’s SCHOOL OF NURSING CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH OPEN AIRWAYS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, November 11, 2003 – In an effort to help empower children in the New Rochelle community to learn how to manage chronic asthma problems, the School of Nursing at The College of New Rochelle (CNR) is continuing its partnership with the City School District of New Rochelle (CSDNR) and the American Lung Association of Hudson Valley in the Open Airways for Schools Program for the 4th consecutive semester.

An award-winning program developed at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, Open Airways for Schools teaches children ages 8-11 how to detect warning signs of asthma (including environmental factors that may trigger an attack), informs them of the actions to take to help prevent an attack, and empowers them to better manage their asthma. 

“Open Airways is a natural partnership for us since it matches our philosophy of providing adults and children with the proper tools to take control of their long-term health,” said Dr. Donna J. Demarest, Dean of the School of Nursing at CNR. 

Three registered nurses studying Community Health Nursing at The College of New Rochelle -- Tammy Bouton, Carmen Jones-Zeigler, and Reginald Williams -- have been instructed by CSDNR asthma educator Virginia Lockwood, R.N., M.S.N, to implement the Open Airways Program with children enrolled in the New Rochelle public elementary schools.  In six weekly 40-minute lessons that started on Tuesday, October 28, the nursing students use group discussions, stories, games, and role play to help children learn these important concepts.  Their involvement is part of the CNR students’ clinical learning experience necessary to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing from The College of New Rochelle.

“To date, Open Airways for Schools has been used in thousands of schools nationwide,” remarked JoAnn Gallagher, Asthma Coordinator, Hudson Valley Asthma Coalition.  “We are delighted that our local outreach efforts will involve the School of Nursing at CNR and City School District of New Rochelle.   This partnership shows a real commitment to ensuring that children are made part of the solution in dealing with what is unfortunately a very common medical condition.”

“Asthma-related health concerns are a major cause for elementary school children’s absence from schools throughout Westchester County,” reported Dr. Adrienne Weiss-Harrison, Medical Director of the City School District of New Rochelle.  “We support Open Airways for Schools because it has proven to be an excellent tool to help children become active participants in their own health care.”

The baccalaureate program at CNR prepares a nurse generalist who practices in a variety of settings with clients of all ages from diverse and multicultural populations.  A CNR graduate is prepared to assume beginning leadership roles and facilitate change to improve the quality of client care in the health care system.  The masters’ program prepares a nurse professional at an advanced level of practice. Each specialty option in the program provides opportunities at all levels of advanced practice including health promotion and restoration, disease prevention and provision of care in acute and chronic illness.

Established in 1976, the School of Nursing is widely recognized for innovation and excellence in programming that is responsive to the public’s changing health needs. The School offers six programs: a traditional four-year undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing; an accelerated program of study for RNs seeking a B.S.N.; an accelerated B.S.N. program for those holding degrees in other fields; an accelerated RN to M.S. program; and an M.S. degree program with tracks in holistic nursing, acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, and administration.


The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City. Visit the College’s website at www.cnr.edu.


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