ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 16, 2026) — Maria College and Albany Medical Center today announced the formation of a clinic that will provide transitional care for patients recently discharged from the hospital or emergency department and who may be facing medical, social, or economic barriers while they await follow-up or primary care.
The clinic will also provide hands-on clinical experiences for students enrolled in Maria College’s Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing with interprofessional training alongside Albany Medical College medical residents.
Designed as a transitional care site for patients recently discharged from the hospital or emergency department, it helps meet both clinical and social needs of patients who do not have a primary care provider and require ongoing care. Its mission is to improve health outcomes by reducing avoidable emergency department visits, preventing hospital readmissions, and ensuring coordinated support for patients with complex medical and social needs. Located on the first floor of Albany Medical Center’s James J. Barba Physicians Pavilion, the clinic will begin serving referred patients in the coming weeks with evening hours.
“The new clinic is a living example of Maria College’s mission in action,” said Dr. Lynn Ortale, president of Maria College. “Partnering with Albany Medical Center, a renowned teaching hospital, allows us to deliver essential care to underserved patients while giving our students real-world experience with the social factors that impact health.
“It’s truly a win-win-win for the community, our students, and our healthcare partners,” she added. “Rooted in the Mercy values of service and justice, this collaboration ensures people receive the care they need, regardless of background or barriers. While we’re starting with nursing, we see opportunities to grow, including future expansion into mental health counseling and occupational therapy.”
“We are committed to providing our patients with as many resources as possible at every point in their journey,” emphasized Jason Mouzakes, MD, executive vice president and Albany Medical Center Hospital general director. “This great partnership with Maria College strengthens our ability to do that. Working together, we will seamlessly connect patients with critical support during and even after hospitalization from dedicated professionals right here in our own community. It is also an important investment in tomorrow’s providers and, as such, the enduring health of our region.”
For Maria College students, the clinic provides immersive, real-world training alongside expert faculty, Albany Medical College physician residents, and community health workers. “What makes this experience so powerful is that it’s led by educators,” explained Dr. Jessica McNally, chair of nursing and director of clinical experiences for the Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing at Maria College. “Students don’t just practice clinical skills. They gain a deeper understanding of the challenges underserved patients face and how social factors like housing, nutrition, and access to medications directly affect health.”
The clinic also addresses broader social determinants of health through partnerships with organizations such as Trinity Alliance for the Capital Region, connecting patients to resources for food security, housing stability, and transportation.
The initiative was made possible through significant philanthropic investments, including $75,000 from the Innovation Partnership — a collaboration between Albany County and MVP Health Care — an additional $75,000 from Albany County, and $258,700 from the Renaissance Corporation and other committed donors.
“This is a smart investment in both patient care and the healthcare workforce,” noted Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “By bringing together $150,000 in combined support from Albany County and the Innovation Partnership, we will expand access to care for patients who need it most while giving nursing students the hands-on experience they need to succeed. I’m proud of this collaboration with Maria College, Albany Medical Center, and Trinity Alliance, and grateful for their shared commitment to strengthening our healthcare system for the long term.”
“MVP Health Care is focused on advancing innovative approaches to care that expand access and improve the patient experience across our region,” remarked MVP Health Care Chief Market Strategy and Product Officer Augusta Martin. “Our investment in this clinic through the Innovation Partnership, reflects our belief that meaningful progress happens when health care, education, and community organizations work together in new and thoughtful ways. This collaboration creates a more connected model of care that supports individuals during critical transition points and strengthens the long term health of our region. We are proud to champion initiatives that not only meet immediate needs but also shape a more equitable and sustainable health care future for the communities we serve.”
One innovative feature of the teaching care center is its interprofessional model. Maria nursing students will work alongside Albany Medical College medical residents, providing a rare opportunity that fosters mutual respect, shared learning, and teamwork across healthcare disciplines
For students, faculty, and the community, the clinic embodies the heart of Maria College’s mission: learning through service. By combining education, healthcare, and compassion, the clinic benefits everyone — providing patients with care, giving students valuable hands-on experience, and strengthening the community.
About Maria College
Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree and certificate programs, including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, public health, and health and occupational sciences. Learn more at MariaCollege.edu.
About Albany Medical Center
Albany Medical Center, northeastern New York’s only academic medical center, is one of the largest private employers in the Capital Region. It incorporates the 766-bed Albany Medical Center, which offers the widest range of medical and surgical services in the region, and Albany Medical College, which trains the next generation of doctors, scientists, and other healthcare professionals. It also includes the region’s largest physicians’ practice with 500 doctors. Albany Medical Center works with dozens of community partners to improve the region’s health and quality of life. Albany Medical Center is a member of the Albany Med Health System, which also includes Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses. The region’s largest locally governed health system, it has 1,520 beds, more than 900 physicians, and 125 outpatient locations throughout the Capital Region.