Long Island University has provided innovative health solutions for nearly a century. Home to one of the oldest colleges of pharmacy in the nation, founded just three years after the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1886, LIU now boasts a strong national reputation for educating thousands of students each year in a variety of health professions, including biomedical science, clinical laboratory science, exercise science, drug regulatory affairs, health care administration, nursing, nutrition, medical imaging, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistants, psychology, public health, and more.
Collectively, the students and faculty within these dynamic programs provided critical relief
for those impacted by COVID-19. Their bravery and leadership serve as a reminder of the
inestimable value of healthcare workers and medical professionals.
Senior Joyce Fordjour, who is majoring in social work, was honored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams for her community service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fordjour, CEO of the private catering company Modas Kitchen, provided Ghanaian jollof rice to local front line workers. She is currently working with the National Black Leadership Commission on Health to create COVID-19 awareness and education.
Executive John Trizzino, ’81, has helped Novavax secure over $2 billion in funding to support development of a COVID-19 vaccine. The global biotechnology company received awards from the U.S. government’s Operation Warp Speed program, Department of Defense (DoD), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a global partnership founded by Bill and Melinda Gates.
The Hearst Foundation awarded a grant to 
implement telehealth training and certification scholarship programs at LIU. Telehealth is the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services via telecommunications and digital communication technologies. The grant will help implement and sustain inter-professional and telehealth certification training in concert with LIU community partners, and improve health outcomes for high-risk populations in LIU’s catchment area in Brooklyn. LIU students in the psychology doctoral program have been engaged in telehealth services since the early stages of the pandemic.
Dr. Peggy Tallier, dean of LIU’s Harriet Rothkopf Heilbrunn School of Nursing, and Dr. Julius Johnson, director of the family nurse practitioner program and president of the Greater New York City Black Nurses Association, spoke at a special event discussing front line efforts of nurses in the New York City area. The virtual event brought together 145 participants consisting of nursing leaders, educators, deans, administrators, students, researchers and elected officials.
