YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Amy Weaver, an associate professor in Youngstown State University's Centofani School of Nursing was designated the inaugural Patricia McGovern Sweeney Professor in Nursing at a ceremony on campus Friday afternoon.

The professorship was established by way of a $500,000 gift from Douglass Sweeney and his daughters in honor of his wife and their mother, Patricia's lifelong career in the nursing profession.

It is the latest of the long Sweeney family tradition of philanthropic support of YSU, amounting to more than $1 million. 

Weaver joined YSU's faculty in 2003 and teaches both undergraduate and graduate levels. She has a passion for research, especially related to the community and the elderly.

Weaver has taken a leadership role in the graduate research program and with develop the new doctoral anesthesia research project curriculum.

Weaver taught Nursing in the Community for many years, reflecting on the focus of Mrs. Sweeney's work in public health and as Mahoning County's health commissioner. 

Weaver's overall plan for the funds includes providing health screenings and care to underserved populations where they live in the community by utilizing nursing and other health profession students, including nurse practitioner students.