Tag: rbj_power_list_health_2022

ELLEN POLESHUCK

PROFESSOR AND CHIEF OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OF THE DIVISION OF COLLABORATIVE CARE AND WELLNESS, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER

Years in current role: 22 at URMC

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

At the University of Rochester Medical Center, we continue to grow our ability to provide equitable and accessible biopsychosocial care to all individuals and families in our community. Examples include that now we screen everyone for unmet social needs, such as access to safe housing, food, and transportation, so we can provide support when needed; we offer mental health services integrated into many of our primary and specialty care practices, making these services more accessible; and we have HEAL, a multidisciplinary team-based program for inpatients and outpatients living with domestic violence.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

Seek to partner with others who share your values and passions and strive to make a difference in the ways that are most meaningful to you. The past few years also have highlighted the importance of taking care of each other as we strive to accomplish our work together.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

I am grateful for having a close-knit community in which to raise my children with my husband; for being able to walk daily in beautiful Highland Park; and for the many local festivals, concerts and restaurants that I enjoy with friends and family.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

KATHY PARRINELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER, SMH

Years in current role: 22

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Quite a few accomplishments come to mind:

• Surgical teams with their clinical partners at SMH completed our 300th heart transplant and 2,000th liver transplant, demonstrating years of commitment to life-saving transplantation.
• Our Golisano Children’s Hospital was designated as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma center, giving SMH the highest possible national level of certification in trauma care for both adults and children.
• We strengthened telemedicine connections and patient-transfer systems to provide care to patients across our region in the UR Medicine Hospital closest to their homes.
• Site preparation and demolition work have begun on a multi-year expansion project enlarging our ED, adding incremental beds and creating private rooms for inpatients, ED and observation patients.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

We will continue expanding access to UR Medicine specialty and primary care services throughout the region. Examples include opening a new ambulatory surgery center at Marketplace Mall this winter, which will soon be part of one of the largest and most advanced orthopaedic care facilities in the nation. New cancer care, eye care and urgent care centers are opening in Webster, and West Ridge OB-GYN has joined UR Medicine with centers in Greece and Webster. We are also committed to achieving a higher level of health equity by working with community partners to expand primary and specialty care for adults and children in Rochester’s inner city and will be making a major announcement about that soon.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

I would congratulate them on making a great career choice as health care is a continuously growing and extremely important field in every community and region. To be successful, one needs to work hard and be flexible with work schedule as health care is provided 24/7 every day of the year. Developing high-performing teams is a required skill set as so many levels and types of expertise are needed for patients and communities to get the best care possible. The work of a health care leader is all encompassing but the rewards in making a difference in our communities are worth it.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

Doing all I can to support the incredible group of clinicians, nurses and employees at Strong and URMC who served our community through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide great patient care every day. To support that goal, our medical center leadership team is working hard to recruit more workers and reduce the impact of staff shortages that are a national challenge in health care today. We are committed to paying fair and competitive wages despite revenue challenges driven largely by the pandemic and all of its consequences, and providing career advancement opportunities in a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

I love having the full experience of all four seasons as there are so many different and fun things to do each season here in Rochester. The proximity to the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario is special — especially given the challenge with fresh water in so many parts of the world. And the people are some of the friendliest in the country. On a professional level, the collaboration among health care leaders and organizations across the community is second to none in our region. I have enjoyed working with all of these professionals over the years — be it fighting the pandemic or working on improving health equity. The motto “I’d rather be in Rochester” rings true for me and my family!

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

WADE NORWOOD

CEO, COMMON GROUND HEALTH

Years in current role: 4

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

New York state has proposed an 1115 Waiver Demonstration to address the inextricably linked health disparities and system health care delivery issues that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the federal government, the state would fully integrate social care and health care into the Medicaid program. I am very appreciative of how New York state has recognized Common Ground Health as the model for this critical effort to address the social determinants of health; foster greater collaboration to alleviate racial and socioeconomic disparities; and elevate the value of our non-clinical community-based organizations.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

Dealing with the COVID-19’s impact has been an incredible challenge. Responding to this public health emergency has been Common Ground Health’s continual focus, as the pandemic shone a bright light on health inequities and how urgently we need to reinforce our commitment to addressing housing, education, employment, transportation and other social determinants of health. The effects of the pandemic remain, and Common Ground will continue to work on building local partnerships to address the mental and emotional health challenges that are a natural consequence of more than two years of a global shutdown.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s health and taken too many lives. It also has had a tremendous impact on personal relationships. Anyone who knows me knows that I thrive on hugs. I have missed socializing with family, friends and neighbors, and I am delighted that public health guidelines now allow us to be out and about more than we have been in more than two years. My goal is to reconnect and restore my personal relationships. I am ready to give — and to get — plenty of hugs.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

DR. MICHAEL MENDOZA

COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MONROE COUNTY

Years in current role: 6

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

My team at the Health Department has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and I am especially grateful to them for being able to consistently sustain and support one another in the face of ongoing challenges with COVID and now with Monkeypox on the horizon.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

Even as we continue our work with COVID and Monkeypox, I want to be sure we pay even greater attention to violence prevention, environmental health and mental health.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

Pace yourself and don’t plan too far into the future. Public health and health are continuously changing. Planning too much can have a way of blinding one to unexpected opportunities.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

I’d like to read more for pleasure.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

Ours is a giving community — so many people give generously of their time, talent, and treasure — and it’s a privilege to have the role that I have.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

MICHAEL MCRAE

PRESIDENT AND CEO, ST. ANN’S COMMUNITY

Years in current role: 8

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Senior care was profoundly affected by the worldwide pandemic. As our nation is eager to put COVID-19 in the rearview mirror, the reality remains that we continually fight new variants month over month. Our greatest success has been our ongoing ability to protect our elders. I cannot express enough gratitude to our outstanding team members, who literally are on the front lines each day doing everything possible to keep our elders and one another safe. Their courageous compassion and tireless work ethic make me so proud to be a part of this team.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

By the end of 2022, St. Ann’s Home will be wrapping up a four-year, $39M renovation project. We are excited to open up our two remaining units and welcome elders into their new homes. The transformation is nothing short of remarkable and is greatly appreciated by both the elders and our team members.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

The best advice to give someone who may be early on in their career is to always remember, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Working in senior care can be one of the most rewarding professional experiences a person can have. If your focus is on your team members and their focus is on the elders, everything else falls in place.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

My personal goal is to support my last daughter as she heads off to college to study nursing.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

Having grown up on Long Island, and having to contend with traffic jams, you just can’t beat the 20-minute commute here in Rochester. Additionally, the festivals and restaurants in Rochester are fabulous.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

ROBERT MAYO

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH

Years in current role: 9

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Full implementation of the EPIC electronic health record across all eight hospitals.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

RRH is implementing system-wide quality and safety programs to engage the front line with local innovations, lean methods and patient satisfaction efforts.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

Health care is very rewarding profession. It requires a deep commitment and a willingness to make personal sacrifices.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

I am improving my mentoring and coaching skills

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

My family and I greatly enjoy living in Rochester. There is so much to enjoy including: restaurants, culture, lakes and schools.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

MICHAEL S. KING

PRESIDENT AND CEO, JEWISH SENIOR LIFE

Years in current role: 7 (17 with JSL)

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Jewish Senior Life has achieved certification for the third time as a Great Place to Work based on a survey of our employees. When employees receive the support they need to do what they love — at a place where they enjoy working — I consider that our greatest success. The high-quality care and services we provide are a direct result of the pride that our very special and dedicated employees feel in their work. To demonstrate our commitment to both our employees and the individuals we serve, this year we received the region’s first WELL Health Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute for steps we have taken to address health and safety in a post-COVID world — another achievement we are proud to share.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

We remain focused on attracting and retaining top talent in a very competitive workforce environment. I expect Jewish Senior Life to continue its reputation as a high-quality organization as we build on our full spectrum of services and programs to meet the changing needs of the broader Rochester community.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

Rochester is known nationally for its collaborative, high-quality health care services. It is a privilege to be part of a health care community that inspires our team at Jewish Senior Life to be innovative and forward-thinking.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

ROBERT HURLBUT

PRESIDENT, HURLBUT CARE COMMUNITIES

Years in current role: 32

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Seeing my company prospering and continuing into a fourth-generation family-owned and operated business. Now I know how my father, Robert H. Hurlbut, felt handing over the reins to me 30-plus years ago. Also, I’d like to acknowledge my dedicated employees, and how they navigated COVID, going above and beyond for our residents and families. They truly are heroes, and a part of the family.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

We have spent the last 2 ½ years navigating and managing COVID. Our goal as a company and really as an industry is to get back to a sense of “normalcy” for our residents, staff and families. We will continue to be vigilant, keeping in place the enhanced cleaning and safety measures adopted throughout the pandemic. However, it’s time to bring our focus back to our residents’ quality of life and back to socializing with peers and family members.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

Mentoring my son, Robert, the fourth generation at Hurlbut Care Communities, as he has transitioned into the role of vice president. I’m so proud of how he handled COVID while he was the administrator at The Hurlbut in spite of the many unprecedented challenges he faced. Under Robert, our goal has been and will continue to be to provide the best care, compassion, and commitment to seniors and their families in the greater Rochester community.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

JANICE HARBIN

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ANTHONY L. JORDAN HEALTH CORPORATION

Years in current role: 10

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Jordan Health has never wavered from our mission to provide comprehensive community-based health care of the highest quality with dignity and respect regardless of a person’s ability to pay. We are proud to continue to be a trusted safety net in the neighborhoods and communities served by our centers in two counties. We have maintained our workforce through trying times and continue to work hard on making a positive difference not only in a person’s physical and mental health, but also in the environment that our patients and employees live in.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

Our patients’ engagement gives testimony that we have made great strides over the last year to be readily responsive to their needs. We continue to move toward increased flexibility and innovation in how we provide and service our patients and community. We understand clearly that we need to partner with community-based organizations, colleges and community partners, for only together can we collectively impact the health of individuals and families.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

I have been involved in public health for most of my 43 years as a clinician and administrator. It was clear to me very quickly in my career that you know in your heart and spirit, this is where you belong. I am not unique, for I have had the honor to work side by side with clinicians, nurses, assistants and many others who have stayed the course, knowing they make a difference in the lives of their patients. I would tell them that, although it was not my intent, I walked away each day, each year, each decade, receiving more from my patients and teammates then I ever gave. That a place like Jordan Health is a mission, and if you honor that mission your spirit will be greatly rewarded, for it is a life worth living.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

Balance. My dad used to say you can learn from anyone. Well, as a baby boomer, I am learning from the millennials. Work/life balance is my goal for 2023. My sons, nieces, nephews and younger teammates have convinced me it makes sense and heck, I am going for it!

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

I have felt a sense of community since coming to Rochester in 2012. I know people say if you show yourself to be friendly, you will attract friends. That may be true, but I find Rochester to be a caring community. Efforts to improve the lives of all people has been the focus of the organizations and people I meet. I guess my favorite things about Rochester are that hope and determination are alive and well.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

STEVEN GOLDSTEIN

PRESIDENT AND CEO, STRONG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND HIGHLAND HOSPITAL

Goldstein has been at Strong Memorial Hospital since 1996, after leaving his role as president and CEO of Rochester General Hospital to join the University of Rochester’s flagship medical facility. He took over stewardship of Highland Hospital as well soon after that.

Goldstein directs all aspects of the hospitals’ operations and he has helped grow Strong into an award-winning hospital with more than 39,000 annual admissions.

Between them, Strong and Highland hospitals employ more than 16,000 people and had more than 53,000 admissions in 2019.

Goldstein has served on the American Hospital Association’s board of trustees. When the country was shaping health care reform, he took part in determining efforts hospitals could take to find savings in the health care delivery system.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

ANDREA DEMEO

PRESIDENT AND CEO, TRILLIUM HEALTH

Years in current role: 7.5

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

Serving LGBTQ+ communities is a large part of our legacy. Trillium Health was instrumental in pulling together stakeholders from across the community to help form the ROC Pride Collective and bring the Pride Parade & Festival back after a two-year absence. The result was a huge success — more than 140 organizations marched in the parade and close to 15,000 people attended the festival. The turnout to celebrate the progress made toward equality and honor everyone — no matter who they love — was beyond remarkable. In addition, Trillium Health continued to serve the community by meeting basic needs and providing judgment-free health care.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

We will continue to respond to COVID-19 and emerging public health concerns such as Monkeypox — administering vaccines as more become available from the NYS Department of Health. In addition, we will maintain our focus on health equity, serving low-income families, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and communities of color. We will also route our Mobile Access Clinic to area partners to increase the availability of primary and preventive care. We will remain a leader in addressing risk for HIV, the upward trend in STIs, and opioid overdoses, and we will continue to address both food and housing insecurity.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

Fasten your seat belt! Health careers are undergoing significant transformation with new reimbursement models, the application of technology in the care delivery process, and the integration of services.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

I’m planning to retire in June of 2023 to spend more time with my family, so my goal is to ensure a smooth transition for my successor. Trillium Health will continue to serve the community for decades to come!

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

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.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

RICHARD “CHIP” DAVIS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH

Davis took over as CEO in March following the retirement of Dr. Eric Bieber.

A native of the Finger Lakes, Davis received his doctorate in public health from Johns Hopkins University. He also has a master’s degree in counseling and consulting psychology from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.

He previously worked for the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Mich., where he most recently served as senior vice president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System’s South Market and Henry Ford Hospital. Prior to joining Henry Ford, Davis spent more than 25 years with Johns Hopkins Medicine in various positions, including president and CEO of Sibley Memorial Hospital, a nonprofit hospital in Washington, D.C.

Davis told the RBJ in June that his top priorities are focusing on patient safety and quality.

“We need to identify a 21st century health care delivery model,” he said. “We need to determine what we have to do to deliver the highest quality of care at the best value with the best clinical outcomes in the world.”

Davis talked about the opportunity he sees to build on Rochester’s long history of innovation.

“If we can work together collaboratively, we can do phenomenal things,” he said.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

AMY CRAIB

EVP AND CHIEF SERVICE LINE OFFICER, ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH

Years in current role: 3

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

From my perspective, Rochester Regional’s biggest success has been pulling together as an integrated system through Covid. Navigating staffing, supply chain challenges and remote workflows were all incredibly challenging and by bringing together the assets of the full system we were far better able to manage and position ourselves for the future.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

My advice to anyone starting out in the industry is take every assignment that people are willing to give you. It’s how you learn and grow. And never be afraid to get your hands dirty!

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

Rochester is one of the most family-friendly communities I have ever lived in and I am a military kid so I have lived in a lot of them! This community offers great schools, great sports, great culture and easy commutes. Our family loves it here!

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

MICHAEL APOSTOLAKOS

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER

Years in current role: 5

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

UR Medicine’s biggest success is due to the resiliency of its faculty and staff who in the face of continuing immense challenges have been able to continue to meet the health care needs of our patients and community.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

Despite the challenges facing health care, I expect UR Medicine to continue to innovate and assure we provide the very best quality of care that our patients deserve.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

The rapidly changing landscape of health care requires those just starting to be nimble. The more flexible and creative a person is, the more successful they will be.

What is one personal goal you have for the next year?

My personal goal is to continue to learn and grow to be the best version on myself possible.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

My favorite thing about Rochester is the people. They are warm, welcoming and engaging. I also enjoy the great weather in the summer and fall which is conducive to the vast array of outdoor activities available.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.

RICK ALVARADO

CEO, ANGELS IN YOUR HOME

Years in current role: 2

What has been your organization’s biggest success over the past year?

The strength and resiliency of our team over the past year is one of our biggest successes. The past two years have put the workforce in the spotlight. Between “The Great Resignation” of professional staff and the health care workforce crisis, companies like ours have had a tough hill to climb. By prioritizing our people and creating a culture where people are valued, where we celebrate each other and our successes, we have been able to attract and retain some great people. In our industry, we often point to continuity of care as being as important as the quality of care. You can’t provide continuity of care if you don’t have continuity of your people. At Angels in Your Home, we realize that.

What are your expectations for the rest of this year?

The rest of this year is going to be stressful, if not difficult. Many long-term care programs are Medicaid funded, and the funding for these programs have come under pressure over the past year. With overdue but mandatory increases in wages to homecare workers on Oct. 1, agencies like ours are caught in the crosshairs. On the positive side, we continue to grow our base of people served in our existing programs. We also look for new ways and new programs to help those in need. We have gotten much more active in the community this year now that the world has resumed many pre-pandemic events, and it has been great to get out and interact with people again.

What advice would you give somebody just starting out in your industry?

I would advise that no matter what challenges get thrown your way, never lose sight of what we are in business to do. We are here to provide individuals and their families with services that can greatly impact their quality of life. When you do a good job, no matter what role you play, you are part of making a difference in someone’s life.

What are your favorite things about Rochester?

My favorite thing about Rochester is that for me, it’s home. I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled across the country and around the world and I’ve visited some really beautiful and interesting places. Yet I am always happy to come back to Rochester. We have great schools for our kids, arts and music festivals all summer, recreational activities in the Finger Lakes and Adirondacks all year, and family and friends to enjoy it with. We also have a pretty good football team down the road in Buffalo to root for each fall. We are very lucky here.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 30 Health Care list for 2022. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.