Empowering Nursing Students To Fulfill Their Dreams

Kimberly Spiro’s mother, Evelyn, was only 16 and an immigrant from Norway when she started nursing school in New York. She went on to graduate at the top of her class.

When Spiro heard about Loyola’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, she couldn’t help but think about her mother’s journey to become a nurse in the 1940s. Now, she is supporting Loyola’s program with a $3.5 million gift to establish a nursing simulation lab.

“The vision that Loyola has for their nursing program is just like the school of nursing on Staten Island that gave my mother the opportunity to fulfill her dream,” shared Spiro. “I’m very, very happy that Loyola will be there to fulfill other students’ dreams.”

Spiro first became involved in the Loyola community when her daughter, McKenzie Gaw, ’18, was a student. As a member of the Parents Council, she was inspired by the way Loyola’s parents embraced the Jesuit way of giving back.

Her gift to Loyola’s nursing program will outfit the lab with equipment and materials, as well as create an endowed fund to cover expenses such as training lab operators, additional operating costs, equipment, and supplies. The lab will be named the Spiro Nursing Simulation Lab in recognition of her support.

“A gift like this can be truly transformative, especially for a new program like Loyola’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” said Brian M. Oakes, ’99, MBA ’10, vice president for advancement. “Kimberly Spiro’s significant investment in Loyola and her deep commitment to excellence in nursing education will benefit students and faculty for years to come.”

Learn more about supporting nursing at Loyola.