BUFFALO AND SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York has named Leanne F. Fiscoe, CPA, FLMI, Chair of the Board of Trustees. Carrie Whitwood was elected Vice Chair; Carrie Frank was re-elected Treasurer; Marybeth McCall, MD, was re-elected Secretary; and Elizabeth Mauro was elected as an at-large member of the executive committee.
Additionally, four new trustees have been welcomed to the board: Jason Daniels, Linda Gabor, Tricia Peter Clark, and Kevin D. Watkins, MD, MPH. They will join their fellow trustees in providing leadership, oversight, and strategic guidance in pursuit of the Health Foundation’s vision of a healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized and all people can reach their full potential and obtain equitable health outcomes.
Ms. Fiscoe became a member of the Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2016 and has served on a variety of committees in this role, including the Central New York Regional Committee, Finance and Operations Committee, and as chair of the Investment Committee. She is the former Senior Vice President of Compliance and Integrated solutions for Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Group, a property/casualty insurance group operating in a 10-state market area. Ms. Fiscoe is a past recipient of the CNY Women in Business Award and received the Ignatian Award for Service to Le Moyne College in 2022. She is a resident of Camillus, New York. Read Ms. Fiscoe’s full biography here.
Jason Daniels is an attorney who serves as Senior Associate General Counsel and Fellow Chief of Staff for Catholic Health System. He is an Adjunct Professor of Health Law at the University of Buffalo Law School and an Adjunct Professor of Business Management at Erie Community College. Mr. Daniels previously served as Healthcare/Corporate Associate for Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman, LLP. Active in the local community, he serves on the board of the Massachusetts Avenue Project and Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network. He received his juris doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is a resident of Williamsville, New York. Read Mr. Daniels’ full biography here.
Linda Gabor, CPA, CFE, has been with Grossman St. Amour CPAs since June 2007. She is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Ms. Gabor leads the firm’s audit practice, Employee Benefits Plan practice, and Peer Review practice. She is the current Chair of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Committee. She is a resident of Clay, New York. Read Ms. Gabor’s full biography here.
Tricia Peter Clark is the President and Chief Executive Officer of ConnextCare. Ms. Peter Clark joined Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI) dba-ConnextCare in 2013. She oversees the daily operations of ConnextCare, a Federally Qualified Health Center system providing primary and preventive behavioral health, psychiatry, dental, medical and school-based health center services in 15 locations across Oswego County. Ms. Peter Clark is a resident of Mexico, New York. Read Ms. Peter Clark’s full biography here.
Kevin D. Watkins, MD, MPH, has served as Public Health Director at the Cattaraugus County Health Department since 2009. Dr. Watkins is a member of the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council (NYS PHHPC) and the New York State Association of Counties. He also held the position of President with the New York State Association of County Health Officials, where he played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and practices. Dr. Watkins is a resident of Olean, New York. Read Dr. Watkins’ full biography here.
Ms. Fiscoe succeeds Cheryl Smith Fisher, who served as Chair from 2019 until her term ended as of the June 2023 Board of Trustees Annual Meeting. This quarter also marked the end of term for long-time trustees Joanne Haefner and Michael Shaffer, CPA.
“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York at a time when our regions face many important challenges and opportunities related to community health,” said Ms. Fiscoe. “I welcome our new trustees and thank them for their dedication and service to our shared vision of racial and socioeconomic health equity in western and central New York. Thank you also to my predecessor Cheryl Smith Fisher, who served as Chair of the Health Foundation since 2019 with compassionate, visionary leadership; and to my colleagues Joanne Haefner and Michael Shaffer for their exemplary years of service to our mission.”
“The Health Foundation is fortunate and privileged to benefit from the leadership of Ms. Fiscoe and our entire Board of Trustees, including our new members Mr. Daniels, Ms. Gabor, Ms. Peter Clark, and Dr. Watkins,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President of the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York. “Their expertise will be an invaluable addition to our efforts pursuing health equity. Our team is also deeply grateful to Ms. Smith Fisher, Ms. Haefner and Mr. Shaffer for their years of dedication to the Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees.”
ABOUT THE HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR WESTERN & CENTRAL NEW YORK
The Health Foundation for Western & Central New York is an independent private foundation that advocates for continuous improvement in health and health care for the people and communities of Western and Central New York. The Health Foundation’s vision is a healthy central and western New York where racial and socioeconomic equity are prioritized so all people can reach their full potential and achieve equitable health outcomes. For more information, please visit www.hfwcny.org.
