Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation has given an early holiday gift to the California State University, Dominguez Hills School of Nursing. Last week, University President Mildred García accepted a check for $25,000 from the health care provider.

In recognition of the gift and Providence Little Company of Mary’s long-standing support of the university and the School of Nursing, the simulation lab in the new on-campus Nursing Clinical Skills Lab will now be known as the Providence Little Company of Mary Simulation Laboratory.

“This partnership is a natural fit,” Providence Southern California Nursing Institute Director Kathy Harren said. “We are thrilled to be a linked partner with the nursing program at CSU Dominguez Hills. Nancy Carlson, chief executive of Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro is a board member of the CSU Dominguez Hills Foundation, and I am a student earning a Master of Nursing degree and can speak first hand to the excellence of the program.”

Over the past couple of years, the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers in San Pedro and Torrance have generously donated supplies and materials to stock the new Nursing Clinical Skills Lab on campus. Opened in November 2010, the 4,000 square foot lab features a six-bed simulated intensive care unit, a general simulation lab, and classroom and office space.

“CSU Dominguez Hills has been a leading institution in nursing education for decades, educating a well-prepared and highly diverse pool of nurse leaders to better care for the health needs of the many communities in California,” García said. “Part of CSU Dominguez Hills School of Nursing’s strength is its many partners in the health care industry. We cannot thank Providence Little Company of Mary enough for their long-standing support of this university.”

With one of the largest nursing programs in the CSU system, enrolling of nearly 2,000 students annually, CSU Dominguez Hills offers on-campus and distance learning programs, allowing nurses throughout the state to further their education and earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing or post BSN or MSN certifications. The university also offers an entry-level pre-licensure master’s degree option for individuals interested in becoming nurses.

Providence Southern California Nursing Institute Director Kathy Harren, CSU Dominguez Hills President Dr. Mildred García, and Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation President Joseph Zanetta.