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SYRACUSE — Upstate Medical University announced that it won UHC’s 2015 Sustainability Award in recognition of its ongoing environ-mental-friendly efforts.

UHC, an organization that represents the nation’s leading aca-demic medical centers and not-for-profit hospitals, presented Upstate with the award on Oct. 1, at its annual conference in Orlando, Florida.

UHC honored Upstate’s commit-ment to sustainability as measured by the following criteria: a dem-onstrated, continuous commit-ment to a sustainability strategy; a quantifiable means of measuring and reporting progress toward and achievement of sustainability goals; and a demonstrated com-mitment to increasing awareness of and communicating about the sustainability program, both among staff/internal stakeholders and throughout the community, according to a news release from Upstate Medical University.

Upstate’s history of sustain-ability efforts began when Upstate

President Gregory Eastwood, M.D. launched the university’s first-ever recycling program through the hospital and academic settings in 1997. Since then, Upstate’s sustainability program, called “Think Green,” has expanded to include sustainability education; increase employee, visitor, patient, and student participation; set construction priorities; and obtain community involvement, the re-lease stated.

In 2008, the Upstate’s Sustainability Task Force was devel-oped. It launched a series of task force sustainability principles fo-cusing on fossil-fuel consumption,

its energy and carbon footprint, supply purchases and manage-ment, sustainability participation, energy conservation in construc-tion, and its SUNY partnership. Upstate said it reviews these princi-ples annually to measure progress and launch new initiatives.

Over the past year, Upstate has introduced new ways to imple-ment green initiatives to surpass its sustainability goals. These projects have included changes at the patient’s bedside, in the operating rooms, construction processes, ed-ucation and communication, and recycling methods in office spaces, according to the release.

Upstate Medical wins national award for sustain-ability efforts

UTICA — Lingappa Amernath, M.D., was recently awarded the “ICON of Emergency Medicine Award” by the Emergency Physicians of India at the PACE International Emergency Medicine Conference.

Amernath is the medical director for the Emergency Department at the St. Luke’s Campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS).

The award honors Amernath’s contributions over the past 17 years in promoting, lobbying, developing, and advancing emergency medicine in India. Recently, the Medical Council of India ap-proved emergency medicine as a specialty with 40 residency positions. The National Board of Examinations in India also approved it as a new specialty with 80 emergency-medicine residency positions in India as of 2015. The first group of emergency-medicine residents, which was a col-laborative effort between SUNY Upstate Medical

University and India, also graduated this summer after a three-year residency training from KIMS, Kerala.

Amernath has been the appointed American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) ambassador to India for more than four years and is currently the VP of the Global Academy of Emergency Medicine. He served as past president of the American Academy for Emergency Medicine in India and also currently serves as clinical assistant professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University and is the chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine for MVHS at the St. Luke’s Campus.

MVHS’ Amernath receives ICON of Emergency Medicine Award

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BY ERIC [email protected]

UTICA — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is providing visitors to its website more details about the decision by its board of directors to build a new hospital at a site in downtown Utica.

The general area for the construction site is across from the Utica Auditorium be-tween Oriskany and Columbia Streets, Scott Perra, CEO of MVHS, said in a statement

issued Sept. 22.MVHS on Oct.

6 launched a “New Hospital Q & A” page on its website, which includes a series of questions and answers about the new plan.

The Mohawk Valley Health System is an affiliation of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare

(FSLH) and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). The two organizations came to-gether in March 2014.

The new hospital would replace the in-patient services currently provided at the St. Luke’s campus of FSLH and at SEMC. MVHS estimates the project will cost be-tween $500 million and $600 million, de-pending on the location, and will take four to six years to complete.

The New York State Legislature earlier this year approved $300 million in the state budget to help fund a new hospital.

“We recognize that a new hospital down-town can provide a catalyst for the revital-ization of the city of Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley. We look forward to work-ing with our governmental partners and local business and community leaders on moving this option forward. Throughout the planning and implementation of this new building, it is critical that MVHS continue to be financially sound and able to provide quality medical care for the entire commu-nity,” Perra said in the statement.

The MVHS board had also considered building on the St. Luke’s campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, which it said would remain an option for construction if the downtown site “proves not to be financially

viable,” according to the Sept. 22 statement.

Size, costsMVHS indicated on the Q&A web page

that it will build the new hospital on a 17-acre site with an additional 17 acres surrounding the new facility on which it could add parking garages or medical-office buildings.

“Development of the 34 acres may not happen at one time but it is important to be future-focused on the expansion needs of the organization,” according to the web page.

MVHS currently figures the new hos-pital will have 420 inpatient beds. It also estimates a 900,000-square-foot structure, “about twice the size of the hospital at the St. Luke’s campus of FSLH.”

MVHS will develop a “transition plan” for the current buildings. It doesn’t plan to move all services to the new hospital. It will “most likely” use one or more of the current locations for support services that aren’t necessary at the main campus.

The state grant only covers a por-tion of the cost to build the new hospi-tal, MVHS said.

The organization still needs to finance the project through additional grants, loans, and commu-nity donations.

“Gifting support from the community will be vital to the completion of the new hospital,” ac-cording to the web page.

Decision to buildThe organization also used the Q&A web

page to provide an explanation of what led to the decision to build a new hospital.

After FSLH and SEMC affiliated in 2014, they focused on consolidating exist-ing resources, eliminating “redundancies,” expanding the “depth and breadth” of ser-vices, improving access, and “elevating the quality” of the region’s health-care

services.Citing the “age and physical limitations”

of its existing facilities, MVHS’s decision to consolidate the two inpatient campuses to a single facility represents the “logical progression” of its efforts.

Several factors spurred the decision.They include the “need” to build a facility

with the “newest technology, services and advancements in patient safety and quality” so that MVHS can deliver the “most up-to- date” health-care services.

The organization also cites a “growing demand” for health-care services with the region’s aging population.

MVHS also wants to operate a facility with “greater operational efficiencies” to reduce the rate of increase in health-care spending, so the organization can pursue “improved financial stability.”

Choosing the siteMVHS also addressed the process it used

to choose the downtown site for building the new hospital.

The board worked with Mohawk Valley EDGE; Saratoga Springs–based Elan Planning, Design & Landscape Architecture PLLC; and Syracuse–based O’Brien & Gere, which provided preliminary engineering, environmental review, and energy consult-ing services for the project.

MVHS examined potential sites in a 5-to-10 mile radius from the city of Utica, accord-ing to the web page.

Altogether, MVHS reviewed 12 sites,

three of which met “most of the criteria” that MVHS was seeking.

The board also worked with Hammes Company, a Brookfield, Wisconsin–based independent consultant that works with health-care clients.

Hammes is helping MVHS to assess the needs of the new hospital, which include site requirements, facility planning, clinical operations, service and physician integra-tion, and market assessment and develop-ment.

Mohawk Valley Health System offers Q&A web page on new hospital in downtown Utica

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NOCHSI to use federal money to add program, improve facility in Pulaski


PULASKI — Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI) plans to establish an onsite behavioral-health program and related facility improvements at its Pulaski Health Center (PHC), the organization’s administrative headquarters.

It will use a funding award of $1 million through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase access to behavioral-health services. The money comes from the Affordable Care Act’s (or Obamacare’s) health-infrastructure investment program (HIIP).

“We’re … appreciative of the op-portunity to continue to provide quality, primary and preventive-care services to all the folks in our Oswego [County] community as well as our service area,” says Daniel Dey, CEO of NOCHSI. He spoke with HealthCare Provider on Oct. 8.

NOCHSI’s service area also in-cludes areas of southern Jefferson and northern Onondaga counties.

Space challengesNOCHSI has had “space chal-

lenges” at the Pulaski facility follow-ing its 2013 primary-care initiative.

It involved three practices of Oswego Hospital in Mexico, Parish, and Phoenix, as well as two practices of Oswego County Oppor tunities in Fulton and Oswego under its existing Pulaski Health Center and school-based, health-center programs.

When NOCHSI consolidated its practices and expanded administra-tive-support services, the space for the additional workers exceeded its capacity at the PHC.

NOCHSI will allocate some of the funding for newly construct-ed offices in the health center’s lower level to accommodate the “in-creased” administrative staff at the PHC and pay for the expansion and upgrade of the PHC parking lot.

“So this [federal funding] gives

Dey

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Cornell study: Overweight health bloggers viewed as less reliable

The study revealed that when a blogger is over-weight, readers are far more skeptical of the infor-mation that blogger provides when compared with a thin blogger’s recommendations, even when the content is exactly the same, according to a Cornell news release about the study.

The university says the findings are noteworthy because more than half of smartphone users report that they use their device to look up health-related information, making the Internet one of the top places in which people become informed about health issues.

“When we search for health information online, there are a lot of related cues that can bias our perceptions in ways that we may not be consciously aware of,” Jonathon Schuldt, assistant professor of communication at Cornell and lead author of the study, said in the release. “Awareness of these biases could help us better navigate health information on-line.” It could also help us “avoid being swayed by nutritional information simply because it is posted by someone who is thin rather than heavy,” he added.

The study also suggests that “weight bias and prejudice … can spill over and affect not only the inferences we make about people, but also objects that are associated with them,” Schuldt said.

In one experiment, 230 subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. They were all shown photos of the same 10 meals — including black bean and cheese quesadillas, chopped salad with croutons, sliced beef with vegetables, and so forth. Each photo was accompanied by a thumbnail photo showing the supposed author of the blog post.

Participants were then asked to judge how healthy the meal was overall on a scale of one to seven. The only thing that differed between the two groups was the thumbnail photo of the blogger, which was a real picture of the same person before and after weight loss.

The researchers found that when the photo of the overweight woman (right) accompanied the meal, “our participants perceived those meals to be less healthy” than the same meal presented with a photo of a thin blogger (left).

“People appear to assume that if a heavier per-son is recommending food, it is probably richer and less healthy,” Schuldt said.

In a second experiment, the researchers also included calorie and fat-content information next to the image of the food and above the thumbnail of the blogger. “What we found is that even when we provided nutrient information that is much more relevant to the food’s health quality, people are still strongly influenced by the body weight of the recom-mender,” Schuldt said.

The researchers even went so far as to vary the fat and calorie content, so that some subjects saw a healthy nutritional label and others saw a label with about double the calorie content and triple the fat. They found that it took this dramatic increase in fat and calories to influence impressions to a similar extent as the heavy versus thin blogger, all else being equal.

“When we dramatically increased the fat and calo-rie content, it had just as much impact as when we said the food was posted by a heavy person,” Schuldt said.

BY JOURNAL [email protected]

ITHACA — A blogger’s weight affects her or his credibil-ity with readers seeking food advice, accord-ing to a Cornell University study published online and in a print issue of the journal Health Communication.

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SYRACUSE — Biomedical and health-care related re-search is “absolutely critical” to addressing some of the “most profound” challenges facing society today.

That’s according to Sam Nappi, a member of the Syracuse University (SU) board of trustees, who started a grant program dubbed “Driving Inspiration and Innovation through Collaboration.”

SU and Upstate Medical University will use the new grant program to target “col-laborative” research between the two institutions that focus-es on “pressing” biomedical and health-care needs.

Nappi has provided SU with $1.5 million for biomedi-cal and chemical-engineering research.

Of that figure, $500,000 will fund the first phase of this research program, Syracuse University said in a news re-lease issued Sept. 16.

The schools have designed the program to “stimulate promising biomedical or health-care-related research that is responsive to national needs.”

“As our population contin-ues to age, breakthroughs in these areas will become even more critically important. This region is so fortunate to have two strong institutions that excel in these areas, and I am hopeful that this program gen-erates opportunities for them to pool their expertise in ways they might not otherwise have had,” Nappi said.

The funding will sup-port networking opportu-nities, matching efforts to build awareness, and “pilot projects that facilitate collaborative, in-terdisciplinar y, or translational research,” SU said.

The pro-gram will award grants of up to $100,000 to handle direct costs for up to two years. Most grant awards will likely range be-tween $50,000 and $60,000.

Research teams must in-clude two or more research-ers or clinicians representing both campuses. The program expects awards to result in the submission of “competitive proposals to external sponsors of biomedical or health-care research.”

ReactionGina Lee-Glauser, SU’s VP

for research, “played a strong role in facilitating the initia-tive,” the university said.

“By drawing on the distinc-tive strengths of both institu-tions, it magnifies the potential for seeding research activity that simultaneously advances theoretical knowledge and en-hances clinical practice,” said Lee-Glauser.

Several instructors from Upstate, SU, SUNY ESF, and the VA Medical Center have been working together through the Hill Collaboration on Environmental Medicine, David Amberg, VP for re-search at Upstate, said in the SU release.

Launched in 2011,

Hill Collaboration on Environmental Medicine is designed to “stimulate re-search in the area of how

environmental factors contribute to major

human diseases such as cancer, diabetes and disorders of the nervous sys-tem,” according

to a November 2011 article on

“Upstate Online,” a publication of Upstate

Medical University. But Amberg also notes that

Nappi’s “generosity will em-power” SU and Upstate faculty

with grants that are “sufficient-ly large to develop the prelimi-nary data to go after the kind of large federal grants that are given for transdisciplinary bio-medical research.”

“When you look at our two universities’ research portfo-lios, you can see synergies that naturally exist in the big research powerhouses like Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and UCLA. We believe we can get to a much more competitive position through collabora-tion. In fact, if you look in the [Central New York] region, there is a tremendous collec-tive strength and diversity in expertise, that if pooled and leveraged could make our re-gion a research and develop-ment powerhouse,” Amberg said.

A research advisory panel will make the final selections. The panel will include Sam

New grant program to help SU, Upstate Medical focus on biomedical, health-care research


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Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena will be the fi rst woman to serve as president of SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Her appoint-ment is eff ective Jan. 14, 2016.

HEALTH CARECEO TALK

“The debt burden for students is heavy now,” says Dr. Danielle Laraque-Arena.

She notes that systems such as the State University of New York (SUNY) have the advantage of costing only half as much as private institutions.

“That is not trivial,” she says.Under her leadership, Laraque-Arena

wants Upstate Medical University “to continue to attract students and to make this accessible to students to have them complete their education.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees appoint-ed Laraque-Arena as the next president of the medical school.

Her appointment is effective Jan. 14, 2016, Upstate Medical University said in a news release issued Sept. 10.

“What appeals to me … is the marriage of the academic mission to the health-service delivery mission,” Laraque-Arena, tells HealthCare Provider (HCP) when asked what she found appealing about the position. She spoke with HCP at Upstate’s Weiskotten Hall on Oct. 5.

Laraque-Arena will be the first woman to lead Upstate Medical University.

She believes it’s important to acknowl-edge that she is the first woman to hold

the job, which indicates Upstate’s “open-ness to diversity of leadership.”

“In terms of historical importance … my performance over time will be judged as any other … the fact that I’m a woman will not determine whether I do a good job or bad job. I’ve been appointed hope-fully because of my credentials and what I bring to Upstate,” says Laraque-Arena.

When asked about her vision for the campus and its facilities, Laraque-Arena says, “I think at this point what I’d like to do is a good environmental scan to take a look at what needs the most em-phasis and certainly continue to build upon [the] incredible work that has been done.”

Laraque-Arena says she was refer-ring to the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Upstate Cancer Center.

Laraque-Arena will replace Dr. Gregory Eastwood, who has been lead-ing Upstate Medical University since November 2013. Eastwood took over for previous president Dr. David Smith, on an interim basis, after SUNY placed Smith on leave amid review of com-pensation issues. Smith later resigned. Eastwood also served as Upstate’s presi-dent from 1993 to 2006.

The appointment of Laraque-Arena follows a national search process that began in February, Upstate Medical said.

The medical school had created a 19-member search committee that in-cluded representatives from the facul-ty, student body, alumni, hospital, the Upstate Foundation, and professional support staff.

About Laraque-Arena Laraque-Arena currently serves as

chair of the department of pediatrics at Maimonides Medical Center and vice president of Maimonides Infants and-


Incoming Upstate Medical president talks education costs, role as school’s first woman president

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SYRACUSE — The incoming president of Upstate Medical University believes the medical school faces what every other campus deals with in making education affordable to the next generation of medical professionals.

SEE LARAQUE-ARENA, PAGE 10 4

Children’s Hospital, both in Brooklyn, according to the Upstate news release.

She is also a professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University in New York City.

Laraque-Arena received her doctor of medicine degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. She also earned her bachelor’s in chemistry from UCLA.

She completed her in-ternship and residency at

the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania, where she also served as a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow in general academic pediatrics.

Laraque-Arena was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and im-migrated to the U.S. in 1962. She speaks French, Creole, Italian, and English.

She is married to Dr. Luigi Arena and has two children, Marc Anthony Arena and Julia Marie Arena.

LARAQUEARENA: She is also a professor of pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medi-cine at Yeshiva University in New York City

Continued from page 9

Nappi, the VPs for research from Upstate and SU, and two external experts, SU said.

The processThe panel will use a two-stage review

and selection process that is similar to one that the National Institutes of Health use. It will also incorporate an oral pre-sentation.

Among other criteria, the group will evaluate proposals for scientific and tech-

nical merit and their “significance to and potential impact on” nation-al biomedical or health-care needs.

The panel will also factor in consider-ation of the project’s “potential to gener-ate intellectual property or to transform the field or discipline” in making the final selections, SU said.

Faculty members, clinicians, or re-search scientists interested in applying for a seed grant should submit a letter of intent by Oct. 16 and a full application by Nov. 10.

The advisory panel will make final se-lections by Dec. 4.

GRANT: Panel will use a two-stage review and selection process Continued from page 7

us the opportunity to expand the offices for those [workers] … and for us to … ac-commodate the parking for the expanded [personnel],” says Dey.

In addition, NOCHSI will use the HIIP grant to convert its existing lower level, administrative space into a “distinct and confidential” behavioral-health program.

NOCHSI will hire three behavioral-health specialists for the program, such as licensed, certified social workers and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

It will also have the ability to offer tele-medicine services to its offsite primary-care practice sites and expand access to other behavioral-health specialists, such as psychiatrists and psychologists from regional institutions.

“The behavioral-health services that will be expanding will be based at the Pulaski

Health Center but will ultimately have the capacity to extend those … services through tele-medicine to our other practice sites throughout Oswego County,” says Dey.

The addition of onsite and tele-medicine behavioral-health services allows NOCHSI to “further establish a fully integrated model of primary and preventive health-care services,” Dr. Patrick Carguello, NOCHSI’s chief medical officer, said in a news release.

Additional grantThe HHS announcement included an

additional grant of $305,000 under the Health Center Expanded Services pro-gram that NOCHSI will use to expand access to its primary-care services.

“That’s a distinct, expanded-services

grant that was provided to us so that we can expand our primary-care services,” he adds, noting that NOCHSI learned of that grant at the same time as the HIIP funding.

The organization will use the funding to hire three additional nurse practitioners and clinical-support staff.

NOCHSI operates health centers in Fulton, Mexico, Oswego, Parish, Phoenix, and Pulaski, along with six school-based health centers in the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown, Mexico, Pulaski, and Sandy Creek school districts.

The organization, which serves nearly 30,000 patients, says it generates a total economic impact of more than $27 million, contributes directly and indirectly to 269 jobs, generates $36.4 million in health-care cost savings, and adds total tax revenue of $4 million annually.

NOCHSI: Will use grant to convert lower level space into behavioral-health program Continued from page 4


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Once your organization is ready to com-mit to making changes, you need to de-termine where changes can or need to be made to improve the patient experience. The results of the CG-CAHPS survey can help you find those areas for improvement. Looking at survey results, you can identify weaknesses within your organization that you should further explore. Looking at trends in your results, comparing your organization’s results to benchmarks, and reviewing patient feedback and organiza-tional priorities can all help you identify areas where efforts can be made for im-provement.

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When you feel that you really know what the problem is, it’s time to brainstorm ideas for change. Use all your resources to identify ideas, including staff, patient advisory groups, and the Internet. Once all of the options are on the table, deter-mine which change(s) can get you to your goal for improvement. Solutions are never one-size-fits-all, so an evaluation of opportunities should consider practicality, feasibility, cost, and potential impact for change. While more than one change can be implemented si-multaneously, it is often better to em-ploy only one or two changes at once. Too many changes may be difficult to manage, and more importantly, hard to determine whether any single effort changed the pro-cess for the better (or unintentionally, for the worse).

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tion, you should set a goal to accomplish with the changes you’re implementing. Progress toward this goal can be measured by improvements in CG-CAHPS scores. Unless an implemented change clearly has a negative effect on your organization or patients’ experiences, allow enough time for the impact of the changes to be reflected in the survey results.

Celebrate successes with your staff when change implementation shows a pos-itive change in the patient experience. And engage staff and patients when a change does not improve scores to determine why it didn’t make the expected impact and identify other changes that could help you along your path to improvement. This should be an ongoing effort for your orga-nization, and through it all, your patients will appreciate your efforts to help them have the best experience possible when engaging with your practice. n

Megan O’Donnell is Healthcare Analytics & CAHPS product manager at Research & Marketing Strategies (RMS) — a Baldwinsville–based market-research firm and an approved CAHPS survey provider by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS).


Using Patient-Satisfaction Surveys for Quality Improvement

VIEWPOINT:

MEGAN O’DONNELL

Viewpoint

http://www.staffleasing-peo.com


NOTE1. Only statewide membership figures are available

ABOUT THE LISTInformation was provided by representatives of listed organizations and their websites. Other groups may have been eligible but did not respond to our requests for information. Organizations had to complete the survey by the deadline to be included on the list. While The Business Journal strives to print accurate information, it is not possible to independently verify all data submitted. We reserve the right to edit entries or delete categories for space considerations.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE CNY REGION?Central New York includes Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. NEED A COPY OF A LIST?Electronic versions of all our lists, with additional fields of information and survey contacts, are available for purchase at our website, cnybj.com/ListsResearch.aspx WANT TO BE ON THE LIST?If your company would like to be considered for next year’s list, or another list, please email [email protected]

THE LISTResearch by

Vance [email protected]

(315) 579-3911Twitter: @cnybjresearch

HEALTH-INSURANCE PROVIDERS SERVING CNYRanked by No. of CNY Employeess

Rank

Name

Address

Phone/Website

Members:

CNY

Statewide

Physicians:

CNY

Statewide Counties Covered

Employees:

CNY

Companywide Top Executives

Year

Estab.

1.Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

333 Butternut Drive

Syracuse, NY 13214

(315) 671-6400/excellusbcbs.com

NA1

1,600,000

18,000

18,000

Cayuga, Cortland, Lewis,

Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego,

Tompkins, St. Lawrence,

Herkimer, Oneida, Madison,

Broome, Chemung, Chenango,

Tioga

1,230

3,572

Eve Van de Wal, Regional President, Utica Region

Kevin J. McGurgan, Regional President, Southern

Tier

Jim Reed, Regional President, Central New York

Region

Arthur Vercillo, M.D., Regional President, CNY

1936

2.UnitedHealthcare

5015 Campuswood Drive, Suite 107

East Syracuse, NY 13057

(315) 433-5880/uhc.com

180,000

3,900,000

78,000

78,000

all CNY counties 500

118,000

Michael McGuire, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New

York

1977

3.EmblemHealth



(315) 432-0198 /emblemhealth.com

32,179

1,382,409

4,252

59,019


3,650

Karen M. Ignagni, President & CEO 1937

4.Fidelis Care

5010 Campuswood Drive


(315) 437-1835/fideliscare.org

202,273

1,318,573

7,461

69,121


2,666

Rev. Patrick J. Frawley, President & CEO 1993

5.MVP Health Care

120 Madison St., Suite 1000

Syracuse, NY 13202-2803

(800) 825-5687/mvphealthcare.com

59,863

546,015

10,840

44,327

Broome, Cayuga, Chemung,

Chenango, Cortland, Delaware,

Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis,

Madison, Oneida, Onondaga,

Oswego, Otsego, Schuyler,

Tioga, Tompkins

32

1,500

Denise V. Gonick, President & CEO

Allen Hinkle, M.D., EVP & Chief Medical Officer

Christopher Del Vecchio, Executive Vice President

of Strategy and Innovation

1983

6.Aetna Inc.

15 Columbia Circle

Albany, NY 12203

(315) 656-7183/aetna.com

71,909

990,072

9,923

83,038

all CNY counties 25

47,500

Dan DeLucia, VP Network

Douglas Robertson, Sr. Sales Executive

1853

Type of Health-Insurance Coverage in the U.S., Among 18- to 64-Year-OldsCurrent or former employer 43.4%

Plan fully paid for by self/family member 20.9%

Medicaid 9.5%

Medicare 7.6%

Military/Veteran’s 4.9%

A union 2.5%

Something else 4.1%

No insurance 13.8% Source: Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Q2 2015


MOHAWK VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM (ST. ELIZABETH

CAMPUS)

LEO P. SULLIVAN, M.D., has been named medical director of Trauma Service at the St. Elizabeth Campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System. He has practiced medicine in the area for more than 24 years. Sullivan received his doctorate in medicine from New York University. He completed a residency in surgery at New York University and another surgical resi-dency at Staten Island University Hospital.

OSWEGO HEALTH

KAMAL GAUTAM, M.D., has joined Oswego Health’s Primecare Medical Practice in Central Square. He re-cently completed his residency in internal medicine at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. Gautam earned his bachelor’s degree in medicine and bachelor’s in sur-gery (MBBS) from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal. After earning his MBBS, he worked as a medical officer delivering patient care at hospitals in Nepal.

Oswego Health has named SARAH WEIGELT as director of Springside at Seneca Hill, the health system’s retirement commu-nity. She came to Oswego Health 12 years ago and has advanced up the career ladder at the health system. Weigelt joined the orga-nization as an administrative assistant, work-ing in the clinical administration department before being named director of volunteers and auxilians in 2011. She earned an associ-ate degree in business administration from Cayuga Community College.

ROME MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Rome Memorial Hospital’s Community Recovery Center has named ASHLEE L. THOMPSON as its new director. She has been a chemical-dependency counselor for nearly five years at the outpatient center and

has been serving as in-terim director since May. Thompson earned her bachelor’s degree in psy-chology from Le Moyne College, and her master’s degree in childhood edu-cation and special educa-tion from Touro College in New York City. A credentialed alcoholism and substance-abuse counselor, she began her career in chemical-dependency treat-ment in 2006 as a counselor at the Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc., Utica. Thompson currently serves on the Oneida County Opiate/Heroin Task Force, which consists of people from law enforcement, service providers, contract agencies, nonprofit organizations, and com-munity members.

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH

St. Joseph’s Health has appointed AHMED RASLAAN NIZAR, M.D., as medical director for the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP). He received his doctor-ate in medicine from St. Georges University School of Medicine in Grenada and completed his residency in psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. Nizar was previously a practicing psychiatrist with St. Joseph’s Hospital Outpatient Services and CPEP. Before joining St. Joseph’s, he practiced fam-ily medicine in Sri Lanka for three years and was the only physician running a hos-pital in the war-torn area. Nizar worked in Chenango County Mental Health Center and Greater Binghamton Health Center for eight years and is on the faculty at SUNY Upstate. St. Joseph’s Health has also appointed ERIKA DUNCAN vice president, human resources. She replaces Sally Biittner who retired in December. Duncan has more than 20 years of leadership and operational experience. She most recently served as vice president of human resources for Metro Health, an integrated health-care sys-

tem based in Grand Rapids, Mich. Previous to Metro Health, Duncan served as senior director, human resources/talent manage-ment for Spectrum Health, a Grand Rapids multi-hospital health system for eight years.

The following individuals are now af-filiated with St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center: With the specialty of intensivist, BRIANA AIELLO, M.D.; internal medicine (cardiology), DANA C. AIELLO, M.D.; emer-gency medicine, BJORN N. AUJALAY, M.D., LEAH M. BENNETT, M.D., and MICHAEL B. VALLETTA, D.O.; radiology, family medicine, MICHAEL C. CHANG, M.D.; psy-chiatry, YAJAIRA Y. RODRIGUEZ, M.D.; anesthesiology, BRIAN M. MCNIFF, D.O. and STANLEY K. LUBINGA, M.D.; fam-ily medicine, ALBERTO S. DEL PILAR, JR., M.D., SURENDER R. EDLA, M.D., JUSTIN P. FEDOR, D.O., and SYLVIA LEE, M.D.

TRUST PEDIATRICS

DR. BRIAN TRAN has joined Trust Pediatrics in Fulton. Tran, a Binghamton native, earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Scranton. He received a doctorate of osteopathic medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his pediatrics residen-cy at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Tran was an attending physician at a pediatric practice in Watertown prior to joining Trust Pediatrics.

VALLEY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Valley Residential Services (VRS) has hired two new staff members. ROBIN GOOKINS, R.N., is director of clinical services. She gradu-ated from MVCC and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Utica College. CHRISTINE SHEPARDSON accepted the position of director of community life. She has worked in the health-care field for more than 32 years and is NYS-accredited as an activities director and certified through the National Council Certification for Activity Professionals. In 1992, Shepardson joined Valley Health Services as the activities di-rector/volunteer coordinator and served as director of development from 1997- 2005. n

HEALTH-CARE CAREER

NEWS

Sullivan

Gautam

Thompson

Nizar

Duncan

Tran


NOTE1. Only statewide membership figures are available

ABOUT THE LISTInformation was provided by representatives of listed organizations and their websites. Other groups may have been eligible but did not respond to our requests for information. Organizations had to complete the survey by the deadline to be included on the list. While The Business Journal strives to print accurate information, it is not possible to independently verify all data submitted. We reserve the right to edit entries or delete categories for space considerations.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE CNY REGION?Central New York includes Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. NEED A COPY OF A LIST?Electronic versions of all our lists, with additional fields of information and survey contacts, are available for purchase at our website, cnybj.com/ListsResearch.aspx WANT TO BE ON THE LIST?If your company would like to be considered for next year’s list, or another list, please email [email protected]

THE LISTResearch by

Vance [email protected]

(315) 579-3911Twitter: @cnybjresearch

HEALTH-INSURANCE PROVIDERS SERVING CNYRanked by No. of CNY Employeess

Rank

Name

Address

Phone/Website

Members:

CNY

Statewide

Physicians:

CNY

Statewide Counties Covered

Employees:

CNY

Companywide Top Executives

Year

Estab.

1.Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

333 Butternut Drive

Syracuse, NY 13214

(315) 671-6400/excellusbcbs.com

NA1

1,600,000

18,000

18,000

Cayuga, Cortland, Lewis,

Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego,

Tompkins, St. Lawrence,

Herkimer, Oneida, Madison,

Broome, Chemung, Chenango,

Tioga

1,230

3,572

Eve Van de Wal, Regional President, Utica Region

Kevin J. McGurgan, Regional President, Southern

Tier

Jim Reed, Regional President, Central New York

Region

Arthur Vercillo, M.D., Regional President, CNY

1936

2.UnitedHealthcare



(315) 433-5880/uhc.com

180,000

3,900,000

78,000

78,000


118,000

Michael McGuire, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of New

York

1977

3.EmblemHealth



(315) 432-0198 /emblemhealth.com

32,179

1,382,409

4,252

59,019


3,650

Karen M. Ignagni, President & CEO 1937

4.Fidelis Care

5010 Campuswood Drive


(315) 437-1835/fideliscare.org

202,273

1,318,573

7,461

69,121


2,666

Rev. Patrick J. Frawley, President & CEO 1993

5.MVP Health Care

120 Madison St., Suite 1000

Syracuse, NY 13202-2803

(800) 825-5687/mvphealthcare.com

59,863

546,015

10,840

44,327

Broome, Cayuga, Chemung,

Chenango, Cortland, Delaware,

Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis,

Madison, Oneida, Onondaga,

Oswego, Otsego, Schuyler,

Tioga, Tompkins

32

1,500

Denise V. Gonick, President & CEO

Allen Hinkle, M.D., EVP & Chief Medical Officer

Christopher Del Vecchio, Executive Vice President

of Strategy and Innovation

1983

6.Aetna Inc.

15 Columbia Circle

Albany, NY 12203

(315) 656-7183/aetna.com

71,909

990,072

9,923

83,038

all CNY counties 25

47,500

Dan DeLucia, VP Network

Douglas Robertson, Sr. Sales Executive

1853

Type of Health-Insurance Coverage in the U.S., Among 18- to 64-Year-OldsCurrent or former employer 43.4%

Plan fully paid for by self/family member 20.9%

Medicaid 9.5%

Medicare 7.6%

Military/Veteran’s 4.9%

A union 2.5%

Something else 4.1%

No insurance 13.8% Source: Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Q2 2015


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ATTEND!EVENT DATE:

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TIME:5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

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Presents:Presents:

excellence IN HEALTH CARE AWARDS

Presenting Sponsor: Signature Sponsor:


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Proud Sponsor of Excellence In Health Care Awards. Congratulations to all Honorees!

SPONSOR MESSAGESBANKERS HEALTHCARE GROUP

Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG) is proud to once again take part in recogniz-ing the Excellence in Health Care Awards honorees. As a � nancial partner that works exclusively with health-care professionals, we witness the hard work and sacri� ce required to deliver high-quality care. The achievements of this year’s honorees demonstrate the discipline and compassion of health-care professionals throughout the Central New York region.

BHG o� ers a suite of � nancial solutions designed to meet the unique chal-lenges faced by today’s health-care providers, including working-capital loans, personal � nancing, a full line of credit cards, as well as business and personal insurance services.

With a focus on speed and e� ciency, health-care professionals can get the funds they need without the hassles, waiting, or red tape of a traditional lender. At BHG, our specialty is you.

Congratulations to each of the 2015 Excellence in Health Care Awards honor-ees. Thank you for the contributions you make to our communities every day.

HARBRIDGE CONSULTING GROUPHarbridge Consulting Group is proud to sponsor and congratulate our local health-

care leaders and innovators.The actuaries and advisors of Harbridge Consulting Group have been helping

clients with employee-bene� t consulting solutions for close to three decades. We are dedicated to delivering what our clients expect: quality, commitment, and expertise. Harbridge Consulting Group provides quality — in the soundness and practicality of our solutions, our responsiveness to our clients, and the impact we have on their businesses.

Our commitment to our clients is the foundation of our business. We understand the challenges our clients face in creating and managing competitive and cost-e� ective employee-bene� t plans. Our success in helping our clients meet these challenges is re� ected in many long-standing client relationships.

Harbridge Consulting Group o� ers expertise in diverse areas of specialization, including pension and health-care actuarial services (ASC 715, GASB 27, and GASB 45), non-quali� ed executive bene� ts, plan compliance, vendor selection and management, post-employment bene� ts, and health-bene� t management. Our consultants are distinguished by their quality, their depth of experience, and their dedication to excel-lence. Members of our consulting sta� consist of credentialed actuaries and advisors, many of whom hold advanced degrees in mathematics and business management.

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE AWARDS 2015

The work performed by you and your team helps keep the Mohawk Valley Health System’s patients and employees safe.

Thank you.

Congratulations Heather Bernard!

Honoree for Innovations in Health Care

Together we make a difference.Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare | St. Elizabeth Medical Center

THE JUDGESSUSAN HIER

Susan Hier is director of development and inside sales for the American Heart Association (AHA). Prior to her nine years at the AHA, she spent 12 years with the YMCA in New York City and Los Angeles.

Hier received her bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College and then studied acting for a year at the American Musi-cal and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Hier has spent the

majority of her career in leadership and teaching roles. She says it’s very important to her to have a sense that she is “doing something good.”

In addition to making a career in not-for-pro� ts, Hier also fundraises for the American Cancer Society and coaches youth soccer. Her favorite role is that of Mom. Hier currently resides in the town of Geddes with her husband Donald and their two sons, Kevin and Matthew.

TIM KELLY Tim Kelly is provider engagement specialist at the HealtheCon-

nections RHIO of Central New York. HealtheConnections is the RHIO (regional health information organization) for the 11 counties of Central New York, facilitating a health-information exchange. Kelly’s role includes working with providers to assist them in joining the health-information exchange. He also helps providers meet the measures for the meaningful use electronic health

records incentive program. Kelly is also president of the North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NAVAC), as well as a volunteer EMT. He is currently the co-founder and president of one of six teams competing for the CenterState CEO Tech Garden Germinator business accelerator. He has extensive experience in the health care and IT � elds. This is his second time judging the Excellence in Health Care awards. Kelly is a life-long resident of Central New York and lives in North Syracuse with his wife Samantha and their three children. He congratulates and thanks all of the winners not only for their award, but also for their impressive commitment to the community that they all so proudly serve.



CATEGORY: COMMUNITY PARTNER/ADVOCATE OF THE YEARK & A RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. Describe what it means to you to be honored with

an Excellence in Health Care Award: To be recognized in Central New York for excellence in health care is truly an honor, when you consider the multiple outstanding health-care institutions that this community represents. What contributions has your organization made

to the community? K&A Services has been providing ser-vices to the most senior members of our community for the past 35 years. K&A has brought diagnostic imaging to the patient’s bedside wherever the bedside might be. Provide some background and/or a description

of your facility: In 1980, every patient that required a di-agnostic X-ray test had to be transported to an X-ray facil-

ity. Ken Andrews started the � rst Portable X-ray Service in CNY and delivered diagnostic X-rays to patients so they did not have to be moved. K&A helped raise the quality of care in nursing homes, as many patients that would not have received needed diagnostic tests, because of the dif-� culty of transporting them, now could have a diagnostic test before their conditions became life-threatening. Describe a few initiatives or projects you are cur-

rently working on: K&A, in addition to providing services to the elderly, also o� ers diagnostic services to correctional facilities. This saves the taxpayer the cost of having to trans-port inmates and improves the safety of the public. K&A has also been providing X-ray service for the Syracuse Or-ange football program for the past 20 seasons. Describe any new technology that is being used

at your facility: K&A Services uses digital-imaging tech-nology where the diagnostic imaging can be seen on a

computer screen immedi-ately after the examination, and the images are tele-phonically transmitted to a waiting radiologist for diag-nosis. Attending physicians can have a diagnosis before the technologist leaves the building. In addition to stan-dard diagnostic X-ray, we also provide a full range of ultrasound services including abdominal, vascular, and cardiac studies. Who are your main partners, a� liates, or sup-

porters in the community? Over the years, we have partnered with and provided services for every skilled-nursing facility, senior care, home-care, and correctional facility in the Central New York region.

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH Describe what it means to you to be honored with

an Excellence in Health Care Award: We are grateful for this award recognizing St. Joseph’s commitment to serve our community by providing greater access to health care — especially for underserved populations. What contributions has your organization made

to the community? St. Joseph’s provides community health programs for near Westside residents and it recently expanded its Primary Care West health center. It provides funding to Assumption Food Pantry and the Wellness Place reaches out to the community. In the hospital’s emergency department, a patient navigator program has been insti-tuted, the � rst of its kind in CNY. Provide some background and/or a description of your facility: St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has been, and remains, the backbone of our integrated system having evolved into a comprehen-

sive medical complex that is widely recognized for quality, value, and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. The hospital is a member of St. Joseph’s Health. Describe a few initiatives or projects you are cur-

rently working on: St. Joseph’s is also one of the selected partners to participate in the New York State Health Foun-dation’s “Healthy Neighborhoods Fund” initiative on the Near Westside. St. Joseph’s will soon partner with Home HeadQuarters in a joint venture with Housing Visions to create mixed-use development at the former Otisca Brew-ery on the Northside. Describe any new technology that is being used at

your facility: St. Joseph’s has made a substantial technology community over the past several years. Recent milestones include the launch of our new electronic medical-record sys-tem and opening of the new patient surgical tower. Who are your main partners, a� liates, or sup-

porters in the community? St. Joseph’s Health is a region-

al health system with a presence in 17 Central New York communi-ties. We are actively en-gaged in helping sup-port improved access to care and economic-development e� orts across other areas of upstate New York. We’re also collaborat-ing with insurers, such as Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to align quality, patient out-comes, and value. Our e� orts in all of these areas were recognized by more than a dozen industry and national awards and designations.

Congratulations toDR. MEROLA

for receiving this award in recognition of your

healthcare achievements

and

� ank Youfrom your family, partners, co-workers and employees for the positive impact you have had on our lives. Your footprint in this life is huge and we are grateful to be a

part of your successes.



A.M.P. is proudto announce that

Dr. Neil Mariados is an honoree for the Excellence in

Healthcare Award for Physician of

the Year!

A.M.P. Radiation Oncology is committed to providing the very best technology with an emphasis on personalized cancer care.

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category: DENTIST

OF THE YEAR

DR. RUBEN COWARTDr. Cowart, now retired, founded the Syracuse Community

Health Center (SCHC) in 1978. The center was the result of his dream to provide health care and employment opportunities to community members, especially to those of meager backgrounds. As a dentist recruited to work in a downtown Syracuse health-care center, he opened SCHC after that original center closed.

Today, the SCHC system of care is comprised of four corpo-rations and serves as the primary health-care provider for more

than 80,000 individual users with an annual budget of more than $163 million — 90 percent of which is returned to the commu-nity.

SCHC is a federally qualified health center made up of 15 neighborhood-based Health Centers located throughout Onon-daga County.

Cowart holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Augustine Col-lege in Raleigh, North Carolina and a doctorate of dental surgery from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1993 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

category: EDUCATION IN HEALTH CARESPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY OF NEW YORKn Describe what it means to you to be honored

with an Excellence in Health Care Award: Sports Physi-cal Therapy (PT) of New York believes in educating pa-tients and our community at every opportunity to help prevent injuries and promote safer rehabilitation. Our evidence-based treatment philosophy results in indi-viduals having more control over their health and the lifestyle they choose to live. This award affirms our efforts to educate, educate, educate. n What contributions has your organization made

to the community? Community involvement is as much a part of the Sports PT culture as therapeutic exercises.

We’re involved in fundraising efforts, have donated medi-cal equipment, sent cookies to troops overseas, supplied toys for tots, and walked/run countless miles for charities. We’ve supported Operation Walk and Medical Ministries International by sending clinicians around the world to provide physical therapy services. n Provide some background and/or a description of

your facility: Sports PT has nine clinics across the NYS Thru-way footprint from Saratoga Springs to Buffalo. We try to go above and beyond — whether it’s helping patients recover from pain or injury, creating a place where employees can flourish, or giving back to our communities. n Describe a few initiatives or projects you are cur-

rently working on: In addition to supporting our newest locations in Manlius and Rochester, Sports PT is currently working on educating community members and athletes

about concussion prevention, walking and running inju-ries, jaw pain, and pregnancy pain and physical therapy. Our newest location in Brighton (Rochester area) involves a comprehensive wellness approach with quality physical therapy, golf and performance enhancement, access to chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture — all in one space. We also offer ongoing education about pa-tients’ rights to self-refer to physical therapy. n Who are your main partners, affiliates, or sup-

porters in the community? Sports PT loves to partner with health-care providers of all types — orthopedic, in-ternists, chiropractic, massage therapists, athletic train-ers, OB/GYN, and dentists. We also collaborate on educa-tion with Fleet Feet Syracuse (as well as Saratoga Springs, Rochester, and Buffalo).

category: EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN OF THE YEARED MOSERRURAL/METRO MEDICAL SERVICES OF CNY

n About Ed Moser: Ed Moser beganhis career with Eastern Paramedics in 1971. In more than 40 years of service to the Central New York community, he has functioned as an emergency medical technician, critical-care techni-cian, field supervisor, dispatcher, pub-lic information officer, instructor, and community education supervisor. As public education supervisor, he is cur-rently responsible for the planning and implementation of EMT, CPR, and First Aid training programs for the public. Moser works with community partners such as SUNY-EOC, corporate organiza-tions, public agencies, schools, and the media. He is the recipient of numerous awards. His work in the community is visible, and enduring. He has personally instructed thousands of students over the years and is widely respected for his methodical approach to EMS education. He has also served in leadership capaci-ties on the board of ThinkFirst (Spinal In-jury Education) and the American Heart Association’s Operation Heartbeat. Moser attended Onondaga Community College, and is a certified lab instructor

and certified instructor coor-dinator by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Ser-vices. n Describe

your organization and what contri-butions it has made to the commu-nity: Rural/Metro has been of service as the primary 9-1-1 ambulance provider to communities throughout Central New York since 1953. In addition, Rural/Metro is the region’s largest American Heart Association training center. Rural/Metro also hosts a New York State Emer-gency Medical Technician-Basic course, training individuals for careers in our industry.n Describe any new technology

that is being used at your facility: Di-rect transmission of cardiac and critical data from the field directly to hospitals through LifeNet, electronic patient-care reporting system, integration of com-puter-assisted dispatch for ambulances.n Who are your main partners,

affiliates or supporters in the com-munity? Rural/Metro is proud to be a collaborative patient-care partner with all area hospitals, as well as an active supporter of a variety of local nonprofit organizations and health-care founda-tions.


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http://www.ampofny.com



CATEGORY: HEALTH-CARE FACILITY OF THE YEARFINGER LAKES CENTER OF LIVING AT AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Describe what it means to you to be honored

with an Excellence in Health Care Award: It is a great honor for our facility to be recognized by the commu-nity and our peers. Each sta� member works diligently to provide excellent care for our residents — short-term rehab or long-term resident. What contributions has your organization made

to the community? Finger Lakes Center for Living (FLCL) has provided a much needed service to Auburn and the surrounding areas. Our short-term residents visit us af-ter surgery or illness when they need extended therapy/care before returning to the community. Our long-term-care residents become part of our extended family. Provide some background and/or a description

of your facility: FLCL is rated 5 stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Opened in 1995, FLCL is an

80-bed facility in Auburn. This summer marked our 20th anniversary. About 20 percent of our residents are here for short-term rehabilitation following surgery or illness. The remaining 80 percent are long-term residents. The sta� works closely with all residents and families to pro-vide optimal individualized care for each resident. Describe a few initiatives or projects you are cur-

rently working on: We are currently working on several projects to improve the quality of life for the residents. One is centered on prevention of falls. Another project concerns keeping a resident continent as long as possi-ble for the bene� t of their health and dignity. We recently opened a “Welcome Room” open to all residents, but es-pecially geared to activities for the resident with memory problems. FLCL is entertaining plans to increase the size of the therapy department to accommodate the rehab population. The facility has also been involved in a study sponsored by the University of Rochester on improving palliative care through teamwork. Describe any new technology that is being used at

your facility: The facility uses electronic medical records. The medication administration system is also electronic. We also have a state-of-the-art call bell system utilizing phones for our sta� . Residents can talk with sta� through the phone. This has provided a much quieter atmosphere in the facility and allows resident needs to be met in a more timely fashion. It has also reduced the fall rate and decreased the time residents wait for medication. Who are your main partners, a� liates, or sup-

porters in the community? Auburn Community Hos-pital.

CATEGORY: HEALTH-CARE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEARAMY DRYER SCULLIONLUNGEVITY BREATHE DEEP CNY

Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am very humbled by this award. I am simply doing something I love and am honored that someone recognized the e� ort put into it. However, the award is not accomplished alone. It is a team e� ort and without that team, it wouldn’t be pos-

sible to have such a wonderful organization like LUNGevity or our local Breathe Deep CNY chapter. What contributions has your orga-

nization made to the community? Since its inception a decade ago, Breathe Deep CNY has raised more than $100,000 for LUN-Gevity’s research and support programs. These funds have been contributed by hundreds of local residents who work with the foundation to plan, execute, and attend

the annual walk and run. Breathe Deep CNY brings together members of the Liv-erpool–area community to celebrate their profound, ongoing impact on the survivor-ship of lung cancer. Provide some background and/or

a description of your facility: LUNGevity Foundation was founded in 2000 by seven lung cancer patients in the Chicago sub-urbs. These patients recognized that lung cancer received very little research funding, and that research funding had changed the nature of the diagnosis and survivorship of diseases like breast cancer and HIV/AIDS. In the last 15 years, LUNGevity has grown into the largest private funder of lung-cancer research in the country. Five years ago, free support and education resources were add-ed to our portfolio, as well as fund research into the detection and leading-edge treat-ment of lung cancer. We have funded mil-lions of dollars for research projects at the best cancer institutions in the United States. Describe a few initiatives or projects

you are currently working on: LUNGevity

Foundation just funded � ve new research projects including three new career devel-opment awards for emerging su-perstars in the world of lung cancer research. These awards mark the culmination of a year-long process in which we � eld requests for funding, vet those requests through our world-class scienti� c advisory board, and provide capital for the very best projects. Describe any new technology that

is being used at your facility: We have recently implemented brand new web soft-ware, relaunching our corporate website (www.lungevity.org), as well as the infra-structure for events like Breathe Deep CNY. The new software is more user-friendly, in-tuitive, and less expensive. Who are your main partners, af-

� liates, or supporters in the community?Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Hematol-ogy Oncology Associates of CNY.

Thank You to the 2015 Excellence In Health Care

Awards Sponsors



Congratulations to Dr. Gene Latorre upon his honor of beingnamed Physician of the Year.

His compassion, innovation and leadership have been integral to Upstate earning the top stroke center designation— deemed by its resources, infrastructure, processes, and highly trained staff.

The Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center is one of only seven such centers in New York State and the only one in Syracuse.

Julius Gene Latorre, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of Upstate’s Stroke Service

WWW.UPSTATE.EDU/STROKE

Latorre.quarter.new.qxp_Layout 1 10/13/15 11:29 AM Page 1

http://www.upstate.edu/stroke



CATEGORY: INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH CAREDR. DAVID CIFRAUPSTATE SPINAL DECOMPRESSION

Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: It’s an honor to bring this break-through technology, non-surgical decom-pression, to Syracuse and to be recognized with this award. I’m honored to be at the fore-front of helping people make major health decisions. With these complex problems, people don’t know whom to turn to or whom to trust. I want people to understand and trust that I am here to help them make the best de-cision possible regarding their health. What contributions has your organi-

zation made to the community? We have spent considerable energy and resources helping people understand that they have options outside of drugs or surgery. The bene� ts of non-surgical decompression are no pain, no drugs, no surgery. We are willing to take the time to conduct free consulta-tions and educate anyone looking for a con-servative alternative to reclaim their health. Provide some background and/or

a description of your facility: I specialize in treating patients with bulging, herni-ated, degenerative discs; stenosis, facet syn-drome, along with other chronic neck and low back conditions. I utilize a procedure referred to as “Non-Surgical Spinal Decom-pression” to help people reclaim their health without drugs or surgery. Describe a few initiatives or proj-

ects you are currently working on: We

are working on getting this breakthrough technology out to those seeking a more conser-vative approach that eliminates the need for sur-gery. With this new technology, more people need to be educated about the bene� ts of non-surgi-cal decompression versus the risky use of drugs, spinal injections, or invasive surgery. We will continue to pursue ways to make this technology that will help consumers make educated decisions. Describe any new technology that is

being used at your facility: We are always looking for additional ways to help people with chronic neck and low back problems. We utilize a holistic approach which en-compasses the use of chiropractic, nutrition, rehabilitative exercises, functional biome-chanics, and therapeutic modalities to as-sist in the stabilization process for an active lifestyle that is pain-free. Who are your main partners, a� li-

ates, or supporters in the community? We are open to associating with practitioners who can collaborate in a joint e� ort for the best interest of the patient’s well-being. I am not opposed to drugs, spinal injections, or surgery, but feel that these options should be considered last after all the conservative options have been exhausted.

HEATHER BERNARDMOHAWK VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM MVHS ST. LUKE’S CAMPUS

Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am truly honored to receive the Excellence in Health Care Award in the category of Innovations in Health Care, says Bernard, director of infection prevention for MVHS. I never thought I would win such an award, let alone work in such an important profession for an incredible organization that provides the resources necessary for success. I am currently seeking a doctor-ate in nursing practice degree in infection prevention and environmental safety from Loyola University with an anticipated com-pletion date of July 2016. This award will help to validate my future goals of advanc-ing the practice of infection prevention. What contributions has your or-

ganization made to the community? MVHS provides care across the continuum, including acute care, short-term rehabilita-tion, long term and home care, as well as outpatient services including dialysis and oncology care. The Infection Prevention De-partment touches all of these services and helps to ensure infection prevention best practices are in place and followed. Provide some background and/

or a description of your facility: In 2014, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) a� liated to form the Mohawk Valley Health System

(MVHS). MVHS is governed by a single, 18-member board of directors and a single man-agement team. The integrated delivery system serves Onei-da, Herkimer, and Madison counties, employs 4,200 people, and has an operating budget of $523 million. Describe a few initiatives or proj-

ects you are currently working on: The Infection Prevention Department at MVHS is currently working on implementing best practices in the reduction of health-care-associated infections including prevention of clostridium di� cile, central line associate blood stream infections, catheter-associat-ed urinary tract infections, and surgical-site infections. Describe any new technology that

is being used at your facility: During 2012, the organization had a high incidence rate of hospital onset clostridium di� cile. Best practices were in place for prevention of C-Di� . The facility invested in a UV disinfection system in 2013 to be used as an addition to the bundle of C-Di� prevention measures. A comprehensive study concluded there was a 41 percent reduction in hospital onset C-Di� from the baseline to the intervention period. We have sustained this signi� cant reduction, which ensures better outcomes for our patients.

Introducing St. Joseph’s Health – a seamless system that brings together all aspects of care, all across the region.

For nearly 150 years, we’ve provided Central New York with a higher level of care.

Now, as St. Joseph’s Health, we’re continuing that tradition while making care more

accessible, affordable, consistent and convenient for patients throughout our

communities. It’s our way of connecting lives – and today, we’re doing it in more

ways and more places than ever before.

• prImary care • home care • acute care • ambulatory care

there’s more to health than hospitals. Now, there’s more to St. Joseph’s too.

www.sjhsyr.org/sjhealth | 315-703-2138

http://www.sjhsyr.org/sjhealth


category: INNOVATIONS IN HEALTH CAREKATE ROLFVNA HOMECAREn Describe what it means to you to

be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I realized early on that I had strong interest in making the health-care system better. My personal family experi-ences made me recognize the impact of in-home care on patients and families. I am blessed to be in a position where I can work to make sure that home care remains relevant and able to adapt to a changing health-care environment. It’s an honor and privilege to be recognized for doing what I am so passionate about.n What contributions has your orga-

nization made to the community? Visiting Nurse Association of CNY is the oldest of the eight entities that comprise VNA Homecare. This year, we are celebrating our 125th anni-versary and our role in improving countless number of lives. We minimized death rates during times like the Spanish Influenza Pan-demic and tuberculosis outbreak in 1934. Such accomplishments are huge and as time has evolved so have we — remaining flexible and adapting to changing needs. Our recent evolution as a Managed Long Term Care Plan (MLTC) focused on keeping the elderly and disabled safely in their own homes.n Provide some background and/

or a description of your facility: VNA Homecare is one of the region’s largest and widely known community-based, home-care systems. It includes: Visiting VNA of CNY, CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Home Aides of Central New York, Indepen-dent Health Care Services, VNA Homecare

Options (MLTC), Eldercare Social Day Program, VNA Founda-tion of CNY, and Eldercare Foun-dation. With a collective bud-get of more than $90 million, the system serves patients across 48 upstate New York counties. n Describe a few initiatives or proj-

ects you are currently working on: We are focused on our managed long-term-care plan providing care for individuals who wish to remain in their homes. It’s been a large but necessary undertaking, as we are able to play an integral role in New York State’s plan to control rising health-care costs as a part of Medicaid Redesign initiatives. n Describe any new technology that

is being used at your facility: Technology plays an instrumental role in our operations by keeping our distributed workforce in constant synchronization with the chang-ing needs of patients. The cloud-based, point-of-care (electronic medical record), and telephony systems allow us to capture real-time data. Our telehome-care moni-toring system allows for more targeted visits that help reduce emergent care use or avoidable hospital admissions. n Who are your main partners, affili-

ates, or supporters in the community? The list is endless — hospitals, physicians, patients, families, caregivers, and a multi-tude of other organizations. Collaboration is key.

category: NURSE OF THE YEARLINDA LYONTHE WOMEN’S IMAGING CENTER AT ROME MEMORIAL HOSPITALn Describe what it means to you

to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am grateful for this award. I truly enjoy my profession as a nurse, and I am lucky to work with an incredible team of professionals at Rome Memorial Hospital who help me to care for our patients in such an extraordinary way. It’s rewarding to be able to care for patients and to be recog-nized for it, says Lyon, nurse navigator at the Women’s Imaging Center at Rome Memorial Hospital.n What contributions has your or-

ganization made to the community? Since the Women’s Imaging Center at Rome Memorial Hospital opened in September 2009, we have remained on the cutting edge of advanced tech-nology for women’s breast care needs, adding several new services, new equip-ment, and new computer software to get the best possible images. The nurse navigator position was added in 2010, which has provided our community with the best possible patient care. n Provide some background and/

or a description of your facility. The Women’s Imaging Center offers the lat-est in breast imaging technology and advanced diagnostics, in one location. It consolidates digital mammography, ultrasound, and bone densitometry in one area. We took a thoughtful ap-proach to designing an environment to minimize patients’ anxiety while equip-

ping the facil-ity with some of the best medi-cal technology available.n Describe a

few initiatives or projects you are currently work-ing on: Added two new vacuum-assisted Suros biopsy units, which offer a more compassionate and clinically effective alternative to open surgical biopsy; nuclear medicine sentinel node imaging; upgraded PenRad breast imaging tracking software; updated In-vivo DynaCAD breast MRI software for enhanced breast cancer detection; and two new breast surgeons joined the team at Rome Surgical Specialists.n Describe any new technology that

is being used at your facility: Utilizing Volpara computer software in conjunc-tion with the mammography exam, the radiologists can assess the density of breast tissue during a routine mammo-gram. Dense breast tissue can make it harder to detect breast abnormalities on a mammogram, so an additional imaging procedure may be considered by the pa-tient’s physician.n Who are your main partners,

affiliates, or supporters in the com-munity? We partner with New Hartford Radiology Associates, a team of expe-rienced medical-imaging technologists and radiologists led by John Restivo, M.D., radiologist and chairman of the hospital’s Medical Imaging Depart-ment.

category: PHYSICAL THERAPIST OF THE YEARDR. CHAD PENSCOAST PHYSICAL THERAPY, PC

n Describe what it means to you to be hon-ored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am honored to receive such a distinguished award in the local health-care community. I am grateful for those staff members and patients who voted for me, and I am humbled by the words of support and belief in my skills and ex-pertise in the area of physical therapy.n What contributions has your organiza-

tion made to the community? Coast Physical Therapy is very active in the community. We are present at and participate in many local running events and sponsor local youth sports teams and camps, fitness and training groups, golf clubs and tournaments, and local charity events. We hold educational seminars at local health and fitness clubs, nursing homes, senior centers, and sports centers, with the purpose of educating our community members. Also, we host numer-ous continuing-education seminars to provide educational opportunities to our clinical staff members as well as other physical therapists in the surrounding areas. For going on 10 years, Chad Pens has volunteered his expertise in the areas of sports medicine at Auburn High School during the fall sports season.

n Provide some background and/or a description on your facility: Coast Physical Therapy is the longest running outpatient phys-ical therapy clinic in the Auburn area. We current-ly have eight therapists on staff who are special-ists in a variety of areas of physical therapy includ-ing orthopedics, sports medicine, athletic training, manual therapy, strength and conditioning, pedi-atrics, vestibular rehabilitation, and aquatics.n Describe a few initiatives or projects you

are is currently working on: We are currently starting up team strength and conditioning classes for local youth sports teams in conjunc-tion with the Ultimate Goal Family Sports Center in Marcellus. We also now offer house-call physi-cal therapy to patients who need physical thera-py but are unable to get to the clinic.n Describe any new technology that is

being used at your facility: We are not heav-ily tech-oriented. We utilize the latest in specific corrective techniques for exercise prescription as well as advanced manual therapy techniques to help our patients recover swiftly and to the high-est level possible.

DR. DOUGLAS FYEAUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITALn Describe what it means

to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: It is humbling to re-ceive such recogni-tion as the Physical Therapist of the Year for the Excel-lence in Health Care Awards from the Bankers Healthcare Group, BPAS, and the Business Journal News Network. That’s especially with so many outstanding physical-therapy clinicians and peers in Central New York. n What does your job in-

volve?: In my job providing therapy for patients, and as a director, I strive to meet and hopefully exceed all our patient needs while delivering the best quality care and experience.

The greatest rewards are from making lasting differences in patients’ lives by improving their functional abilities or by managing their symptoms. In the case of directing our wonderful and dedicated staff

at Auburn Com-munity Hospital, it’s being able to lead, support, and provide them the tools to be suc-cessful in their patient care and professional devel-opment. I have had the opportunity

to serve and work with count-less patients, families, and staff over the past 25 years. Each and every one of them being a unique experience. I have been blessed in this career and look forward to continuing in physi-cal therapy for years to come. It is with great appreciation, that I am to be honored with this award. Thank you!



CATEGORY: PHYSICIAN OF THE YEARDR. NEIL F. MARIADOSASSOCIATED MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OF NY, PLLC

Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: It is with humility and gratitude that I accept this honor, says Mari-ados, a board-certi� ed radiation oncologist. Without my trusted colleagues, the dedicated team, and our patients at Associated Medical Professionals of NY (A.M.P.), this would not be possible. This has been an amazing jour-ney. As one of the founders of this practice, this award is a reminder to continue with the vigilance of maintaining this path of excellence and continuing to bring the best of medicine to our community. What contributions has your organization made

to the community? A.M.P. has partnered with ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer to raise awareness and funds to be used both national and local levels for education,

research and testing. A.M.P. just held a prostate cancer screening in our Syracuse community to help those who are uninsured or underinsured. Each year A.M.P. gives back by sponsoring the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and sponsors and donates to several other lo-cal charities and events. A.M.P. has helped develop new products within our industry to become leaders and practice changers in the � eld to treat breast and prostate cancers. A.M.P.’s research division has a multitude of trials, which treat a variety of cancers. Provide some background and/or a description

of your facility. Associated Medical Professionals of NY is a multi-specialty medical practice with our current focus on radiation oncology & urology. A.M.P. has 12 locations throughout Central New York in six di� erent counties — one corporate o� ce and 11 clinical locations. Describe a few initiatives or projects you are

currently working on: A.M.P. continues to bring ground-

breaking research studies to the community that are on par with the � nest cancer centers in the country. We help develop prod-ucts for the community in coop-eration with industry and the NCI (National Cancer Institute). Describe any new tech-

nology that is being used at your facility: SpaceOar — a hydrogel used to decrease side e� ects for patients with prostate cancer. Xo� go — an isotope treatment cur-rently indicated for metastatic prostate cancer. A.M.P. is currently conducting a study aimed towards metastatic breast cancer patients to determine the e� cacy of Xo� go for these patients. Cutting-edge research is continually being conducted by our ever-growing research team for not only the patients of A.M.P., but also for all patients.

DR. JULIUS GENE LATORREUPSTATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Describe what it means to you to be hon-ored with an Excellence in Health Care Award:I am deeply honored to receive the Excellence in Health Care Award. What contributions has your organization

made to the community? As the medical director of Upstate Comprehensive Stroke Center, my team is committed to providing the best stroke care to the people of Central New York. Provide some background and/or a descrip-

tion of your facility: Upstate University Hospital is the only academic medical center in the region, the

only Comprehensive Stroke Center and Level One Trauma Center in Central New York. Describe a few initiatives or projects you

are currently working on: I am spearheading the creation of the telemedicine network, designed to bring Upstate specialists in stroke and trauma to the community hospitals all around Central New York so that patients in the community can receive the best and timely care where they are located. Telemedi-cine allows for time-sensitive and time-limited acute intervention to be given to the patients in the com-munity as if they are at Upstate, using live videocon-ferencing and Internet technology. Describe any new technology that is being

used at your facility: We currently use the most

sophisticated 3-tesla MRI and an integrated intraop-erative suite incorporat-ing a full functioning MRI and bi-plane angiography suite for complex neuro-surgical and endovascular surgery. Who are your main

partners, a� liates, or supporters in the com-munity? We work closely with our partners in emer-gency medical services (EMS), regional and local ambulance providers, and all community hospitals in our 17-county referral areas.

CATEGORY: PRACTICE MANAGER OF THE YEARANNE E. ZACCHEONEPHROLOGY ASSOCIATES OF SYRACUSE, P.C.

Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am honored to receive this award, as I’ve only worked in practice man-agement for a little over two years; previously, I worked in health insurance for 17 years. Working closely with our physicians, providers, clinical, and administrative sta� , I have tremendous respect for the long hours of hard work, teamwork, and relentless dedication to patient care. Fed-eral and state regulations bring a high level of complexity to medical care, as well as the signi� cant national chang-es occurring in our health-care system. What contributions has your organization

made to the community? Nephrology Associates of Syracuse plays a key role in supporting the education of students in our community. We partner with Up-state University Hospital to support training of medi-cal students, residents, and clinical laboratory science students. We also collaborate with Bryant & Stratton

and OCM BOCES to sponsor internships for medi-cal assistants, billing, and administrative students. We support the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. Provide some background and/or a descrip-

tion of your facility: Nephrology Associates of Syra-cuse began as a two-physician practice in 1978. The practice now has six physicians, three nurse practi-tioners, and two physician assistants. Our physicians provide consultative services, and have admitting privi-leges at Crouse Hospital and at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, and work together with the local dialysis centers to manage the changing health-care needs of our patients. Describe a few initiatives or projects you are

currently working on: We work collaboratively with both Crouse and St. Joseph’s hospitals and o� er post-hospital discharge services, known as transitional care management to patients recently discharged from the hospital. We also focus on patient education to o� er chronic kidney-disease education, medical nutrition ther-

apy with a registered dietitian, and free Kidney Smart educa-tion sessions. Describe any new tech-

nology that is being used at your facility: Our practice uses eClinical Works as our electronic medical record and in 2014 be-gan to tackle the challenging process of “interoperability,” the electronic exchange of clinical data with other medical practices. We also o� er a “patient portal,” where patients can securely log on and view their health record, check lab results, request prescription re� lls, and more. We also use an application called “Tiger Text,” which supports se-cure electronic communication between our o� ce sta� , answering service, and our physicians. Who are your main partners, a� liates or sup-

porters in the community? Nephrology Associates works closely with our local area hospitals, as well as the local dialysis centers, which are operated by Davita.

Reach us on the Web www.bizeventz.com

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE AWARDS 2015EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH CARE AWARDS 2015


category: SPECIALTY CENTER OF THE YEARSYRACUSE ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS (SOS)n Describe what it means to you to be honored

with an Excellence in Health Care Award: Syracuse Or-thopedic Specialists (SOS) is proud to be an integral part of the Central New York community and honored to be recognized as the regional leader in specialty orthopedic care. Our highly specialized practice accepts this award on behalf of our dedicated employees and loyal patients.n What contributions has your organization made

to the community? SOS provides total orthopedic care to the Central New York community. We take pride in the strong relationships we have built with local schools, sports organizations, not-for-profits, and other humani-tarian projects. Our employees support the community outside our clinics in many ways. You’ll see SOS serving breakfast at the Samaritan Center every Tuesday, partici-pating in community walks together raising awareness for local causes, and on the fields of our local sports teams committed to caring for our community.

n Provide some background and/or a description of your facility: Founded in 1999, Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists’ team of experienced orthopedic physicians and support staff offer state-of-the-art medical care, from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery. SOS has more than 25 physicians, and more than 600 additional staff. Our nine locations serve area patients. We operate the Specialists One Day Surgery Center in Syracuse and SOS Orthopedic & Sports Ther-apy with six locations. We also have two locations (one in DeWitt and one on Onondaga Hill) for SOS Plus, an after-hours care center.n Describe a few initiatives or projects you are

currently working on: Recently, SOS initiated a compre-hensive innovative care policy to improve the quality of patient care, improve outcomes, lower costs, and ease transitions of care. The “Care Coordination for Care Improve-ment” initiative is designed to follow patients through their continuum of care — from surgical decision through 90 days after discharge. SOS continues to

align with smaller regional orthopedic practices building upon our foundation of quality orthopedic care.n Describe any new technology that is being used

at your facility: In 2015, SOS purchased the Navio Sur-gical System. The system is a state-of-the-art robotic technology that works with the surgeon’s skilled hands for consistently accurate results for partial knee replace-ments. Working together with local hospitals, SOS contin-ues to lead the path in the future of orthopedic surgery.n Who are your main partners, affiliates, or sup-

porters in the community? SOS collaborates with many community members including Crouse Hospital, CRA Imaging, New York Spine and Wellness Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, and Upstate Univer-sity Hospital.

category: SURGEON OF THE YEARDR. GREGORY FINKUPSTATE SPECIALTY SERVICES AT HARRISON CENTER

n Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: It is a great privilege and honor to be recognized by this group for the quality of care our team provides. It is also a significant privilege to be able to participate in the care of surgical patients from such a diverse background in this region.

n What contributions has your organization made to the community? My surgical team has provided the region with consistent results ranking highly within New York state for years.n Provide some background and/or a description

of your facility: Upstate Medical University has long served the community in education, research, and medi-cal care.n Describe a few initiatives or projects you are

currently working on: Unfor-tunately, I have accepted a posi-tion out of state and will be leav-ing the area in several months.n Who are your main part-

ners, affiliates, or supporters in the community? My patients and I have benefited from the Crouse and University Car-diologists’ support.

category: LIFETIME HEALTH-CARE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

DR. A. JOHN MEROLASUMMIT REALTY MANAGEMENT, LLC & AJM MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC

n Describe what it means to you to be honored with an Excellence in Health Care Award: I am humbled by this recognition of what I have tried to do in the community to advance health care, and this award means a great deal to me. I believe that in health care, the patient should come first. And, being hon-ored means others must feel the same way.n What contributions has your organi-

zation made to the community? Building the North and Northeast Medical Centers, I be-lieve is my biggest success including running the large family practice group that anchors the centers. My vision in building these cen-ters was to create a delivery system that would bring health-care services to the suburbs where people live — a single place where pa-tients could access almost all their health-care needs under the same roof, including evalua-tion, diagnostic testing, and treatment.n Provide some background and/or a

description of your facility: The North and Northeast Medical Centers are state-of-the-art facilities that provide patients access to family medicine and specialty care including

cardiology, urology, orthopedics, gyne-cology, obstetrics, dermatology, oto-laryngology, radiol-ogy and laboratory testing, urgent care services, and even surgery.n Describe a

few initiatives or projects you are currently working on: I have retired from the daily practice of medi-cine and am currently focusing on commer-cial real-estate projects with a focus on medi-cal properties.n Describe any new technology that is

being used at your facility: The North and Northeast Medical Centers are condomini-ums, so I don’t consider them my facilities, but the physicians are diagnosing and treat-ing patients with state-of-the-art technology.n Who are your main partners, af-

filiates, or supporters in the community? One of my main supporters in the commu-nity is St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. We have partnered on many ventures with the end result being the advancement of health care for the community.


HEALTHYWORKPLACESUMMIT & AWARDS

5th Annual

BEYOND WELLNESS

Produced By:

Presented By:

Thursday, December 3, 20157:30 AM - 3:30 PM • SRC ARENAVisit bizeventz.com to learn more, nominate, and register

LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE!Deadline: October 16

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:Dr. Jon Robison, PhD, MS, MA, Certifi ed Intrinsic Coach(R)

TOPIC: Beyond Wellness: Creating A Thriving Workplace Culture

Proud Event Partner: Exhibit Hall/ Reception Sponsor:

Photo Booth Partner:

PRESENTS

Award Sponsor:

Graphics Sponsor:


1050 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York 13204 • 315.477.HOME • www.477HOME.org

Congratulations, Kate RolfPresident & Chief Executive Officer of VNA Homecare

recipient of the

Excellence in Health Care Awardfor

Innovations in Health CareInnovations in Health CareInnovations in Health Care

Your leadership and passion for embracing every opportunity for growth, including the expansion of VNA Homecare Options into

48 counties across New York State, makes you a true innovator.

Congratulations from all of us at: Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc.

The VNA Foundation of Central New York, Inc.CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Inc.

Independent Health Care Services, Inc.Home Aides of Central New York, Inc.

Eldercare Social Day ProgramVNA Homecare Options, LLC

Eldercare Foundation, Inc.

all divisions of


http://www.477home.org

The Central New York Business Journal269 W. Jefferson St.Syracuse, N.Y. 13202-1230

Presorted StandardU.S. Postage Paid

Syracuse, N.Y.Permit # 568

Congratulations to all Excellence in Health Care Honorees

from

BHG is proud to provide fast, hassle-free financial solutions to the healthcare professionals that keep Central New York healthy.

• Business financing • Credit cards• Personal financing • Insurance services

As the presenting sponsor of the 2015 Excellence in Health Care awards, we are honored to recognize the healthcare heroes that care for our community. To learn more about our business and personal solutions available exclusively to healthcare professionals, please call 877.723.5291 or visit www.bhg-inc.com/excellence.

http://www.bhg-inc.com/excellence

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