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Company Donates $2 Million In Equipment to School of Nursing

November 15, 2002

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing recently received a $2 million donation, consisting of laboratory equipment, from Edward Lifesciences, a global leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease and the premier company producing heart valves worldwide.

The equipment, which consists of an array of high-tech catheters used for assessing pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, and diagnosing and treatment of cardiac pulmonary problems, will enhance the School of Nursing's simulation labs.

"This equipment allows us to replicate a high-tech hospital environment in our simulation labs," says Patricia Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, a professor in the School's Department of Adult Health Nursing. "Teaching nursing students in a hands-on lab requires equipment, which is used repeatedly. It has to be replaced over time, and for 1,400 students, that can get expensive. A donation like this gives us the opportunity to provide a high-tech hospital, hands-on experience for our students," says Morton.

"Our company's credit contains the pledge, 'Helping Patients is Our Life's Work and Life is Now," says Michael Mussallem, chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences Headquarters. "We are committed to helping patients and improving the quality of life around the world."

The 40-year-old company, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., designs equipment that focuses on cardiac surgery, critical care, vascular and perfusion, and it is sold in more than 80 countries.