Hebrew SeniorLife Receives $1 Million Gift to Support Nursing Career Development Program

Gift Will Give Dozens the "Opportunity of a Lifetime"
BOSTON--(Business Wire)--
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, today announced it
has received a $1 million gift from Burton and Gloria Rose to support its
innovative "career ladder" program that enables certified nursing assistants
(C.N.A.s) to become licensed practical nurses (L.P.N.s).

In recognition of the gift, Hebrew SeniorLife (HSL) will name the program The
Burton and Gloria Rose Career Development Program. The Roses made the gift in
memory of their mother, Eleanor Epstein, who as a teacher for 60 years was
dedicated to education and was a resident of Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, the
only HMS-affiliated teaching hospital dedicated to geriatrics, before her death
in January 2009 at age 97.

"Mother was the recipient of many acts of loving kindness from the staff," said
Mrs. Rose. "We learned that many of the caregivers face obstacles to higher
education, including family and childcare responsibilities, inadequate academic
preparation, and transportation. To honor our mother`s commitment to teaching,
and with gratitude for the care she received at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, we
are pleased to be able to support a program that enables caregivers to advance
up the career ladder."

The Burton and Gloria Rose Career Development Program allows C.N.A.s who work
for HSL to take the necessary coursework, through Massachusetts Bay Community
College, to become L.P.N.s. The program pays for all coursework and books, and
HSL has invested in software to build reading and math skills, courses for which
are offered through Jewish Vocational Service. In addition, HSL compensates
students for much of the time spent in classes, which are offered offsite. In
return for the opportunity, each participant commits to work as a nurse at HSL
for three years after graduating, ensuring the quality of the HSL nursing staff
and helping address the nationwide nursing shortage.

After graduating from the program in June, Elsie Bourjolly, now an L.P.N.
working at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, said, "I saw the possibility for a
dream to come true. It would have been very difficult for me; financially, I
could not afford it. This was an opportunity of a lifetime."

To date, 20 employees have graduated from the program and another 16are
currently enrolled. As a result of this gift, an additional 30 employees will be
able to enroll in the program over the coming five years.

"C.N.A.s are frontline caregivers, and they deserve every opportunity for
advancement," said HSL CEO Len Fishman. "I commend them for taking the
initiative to move up the career ladder in the rewarding nursing profession and
attain this life-changing credential. We are delighted that the Roses chose to
support this vital part of our mission, and that their gift will have such a
meaningful and lasting impact on both caregivers and seniors."

Hebrew SeniorLife`s commitment to education is evident throughout the
organization. Each year, HSL trains more experts in geriatric health care and
allied professions than any other senior care organization in Massachusetts.
Through its affiliation with Harvard Medical School and partnerships with other
leading academic institutions in the Greater Boston area, more than 700 students
participate in programs, or perform their clinical rotations, at Hebrew
Rehabilitation Center each year. As the headquarters of the Harvard Medical
School Multi-Campus Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine, HSL has trained more
geriatrics fellows than any other institution in the United States.

There were several major donors to the original Nursing Career Ladder program,
which preceded the Career Development Program, including Eli Dubinsky, the Paul
& Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Michael and Linda Frieze, the estate of
Frances C. Huvos, and Lois Silverman.

Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a 106-year-old
organization committed to maximizing the quality of life of seniors through an
integrated network of research and teaching, housing and health care, serving
more than 5,000 seniors annually in the Greater Boston area.

Hebrew SeniorLife
Scott Edwards, 781-247-8172
Edwards@hrca.harvard.edu
www.hebrewseniorlife.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009