Andrea DeMeo

President and CEO, Trillium Health

Years in current role: 7

What was your biggest success in 2021?

Without a doubt, continuing to provide care and services to our community, while simultaneously responding to the pandemic by administering over 14,200 COVID tests and 12,400 COVID vaccinations was our biggest success. Trillium Health’s staff members, while often on the brink of exhaustion like others in healthcare, continued to support our mission of extraordinary care for all, bringing their compassion and heartfelt commitment to the most vulnerable members of our community. It’s their hard work and dedication that allows us to address health equity and continue to serve the community in the midst of a global pandemic.

What are your expectations for 2022?

I expect that the need to respond to COVID-19 will continue in 2022, and that we will continue to adjust our operations to meet the needs of the community. We will maintain our focus on health equity, serving low-income families, members of the LGBTQ community, and communities of color, and we will prepare to administer vaccinations to younger children. In addition, I expect that we will receive oral antiviral therapeutics, which will allow us to provide early treatment to people with COVID to avoid hospitalizations and severe outcomes. We will also remain a leader in addressing risk for HIV, the upward trend in STI’s, and opioid use and overdoses.

What is your biggest takeaway from dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

My biggest takeaway from dealing with the COVID- 19 pandemic is that responding to public health emergencies takes collaboration and partnerships. COVID taught us that when we come together as a community – as one health “system” – the intellect and experience of all can be harnessed in a very effective and powerful way. In turn, innovation can blossom, and as a result of COVID, we have new ways to increase the access to care that every individual deserves.

What is your favorite thing about the Rochester community?

Lilacs! With colorful lilacs blooming each year it is a sign that spring is on its way, and in many ways, it provides us with a renewed sense of hope.

If time were no issue, what would you do to help the community that you aren’t already doing?

Volunteer for our children, help to instill a brighter future and meet the basic needs that each child deserves.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.