October 28, 2004 -- (Rockville Centre, New York) – Mercy Medical Center has been named as one of 33 finalists for special awards to be presented during the Long Island Works Coalition’s Second Annual Workforce Builders Awards Luncheon, November 15, at the Melville Marriott.

The Workforce Builders Awards recognize businesses, educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities engaged in efforts to promote a strong Long Island Economy and workforce through various school-to-work initiatives. The finalists were chosen from among more than 300 members of the Workforce Builders Honor Roll.

Mercy Medical Center’s Peg Humphrey, MSN, RN,BC, Director of Education and Development, has been affiliated with the Coalition in a diligent effort to educate, train and keep young people here on Long Island. Mercy’s involvement emphasizes that healthcare is a major job market in Long Island’s economy.  Peg Humphrey stated, “The relationships we have had with Long Island Works has benefited not only the students but also Mercy Medical Center and in a larger sense, has impacted healthcare here on Long Island. We need to keep in mind that with this effort that the Long Island high school students of today are the Long Island healthcare workers of tomorrow.”

Contributing factors to this finalist nomination include Mercy’s efforts with young people from Baldwin High School in their Medical Explorers’ Club, in an Internship Program where Baldwin students spend 80 hours with a healthcare professional to gain a more thorough understanding of the career of their choice and also the Annual Shadow Day Program where Mercy staff members serve as mentors, sharing their expertise with the students who get a first hand look at what goes on in the healthcare industry on a daily basis. Mercy Medical Center, in partnership with Molloy College, hosts the Nurse Explorers Camp to encourage middle school students to consider Nursing as a career.

Media Contact: Diane O'Doherty at 516-705-2619