Thirty-eight leading health professionals from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York’s Health Leadership Fellows program have graduated, Foundation President Ann F. Monroe said Tuesday, May 19, 2015. The Foundation’s fourth cohort class was comprised of participants from health-related and safety net organizations throughout western and central New York.
The 18-month program provided the fellows opportunities to participate in sessions on personal leadership, leading change, results based leadership and accountability and the leader as a communicator. In addition to the four residential retreats, each fellow met monthly to complete intercession work aligned with the theme of each residential session, and to develop a collaborative inter-organizational project in a small team setting. Fellows concluded their leadership program by presenting their research and team projects at The Strong, in Rochester, New York on April 27, 2015.
Launched in 2005, the goal of the Health Leadership Fellows program is to produce a network of diverse, highly-skilled leaders that will learn to lead collaboratively from both within and outside of their organizations and become advocates for improved health care delivery, particularly for vulnerable older adults and children impacted by poverty.
Graduates from the Fourth Cohort class are:
Cheri Alvarez, chief operation officer, Cradle Beach
Paula M. Cerio, director of quality and program development, Salvation Army of Syracuse
John D. Craik, executive director, P2 Collaborative of WNY
Elizabeth G. Crockett, executive director, REACH CNY
Mary Beth Debus, senior vice president of programs, Every Person Influences Children
Courtney Fasolino, executive director, Fallon Health Weinberg Campus
Stephanie H. Fretz, pediatric medical doctor, Lifetime Health Medical Group
Raymond Ganoe, executive vice president, Evergreen Association
Diane Hage, manager of health management, Independent Health
Nestor Hernandez, associate vice president, People Inc.
Howard K. Hitzel, president, Lake Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.
Judith S. Huober, director, Syracuse Jewish Family Service, IMPARA: Institute at Menorah Park for Applied Research on Aging
Kimberly Jackson, medical doctor, Neighborhood Health Center
Christine M. Kearney, vice president of rehabilitation and community services, The Centers at St. Camillus
Brett Lawton, director of clinical operations, Jericho Road Community Health Center
Heather Edmarie Levy, director of nursing, Syracuse Community Health Center
Donald W. Matteson, chief program officer, The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Elizabeth Mauro, executive director, Mid-Erie Counseling and Treatment Services
Gail S. Mayeaux, executive director, Universal Primary Care (STCHCN)
Robert T. Mayer, vice president of finance, Weinberg Campus
Colleen Muncy, assistant administrator, HealthCare Choice Advisors, LLC
Diane Oyler, coordinator of neighborhood services, Erie County Department of Senior Services
Laura L. Paolucci, public health administrator, Wyoming County Health Department
Michael C. Pease, chief executive officer, The Chautauqua Center, Inc.
Frederick F. Pordum II, director or rehabilitation, Visiting Nurses Association of WNY
Lisa Rafalson, chair of health services administration, D’Youville College
Christian L. Reitler, program officer, Health Foundation for Western & Central New York
Marget Rhode, director of disability services, Liberty Resources, Inc.
Alis Wintle Sefick, director, Prevention Network
Debra M. Stehle, associate administrator of ambulatory services and womens health, SUNY Upstate Medical Hospital
Sue Ellen Stuart, executive director, Visiting Nurse Services
Erika D. Swenton, director of operations, St. Camillus Home Care
Rosie Taravella, regional chief executive officer, American Red Cross of Western and Central NY
Susan Ann Terranova Roberts, director, State University of New York at Buffalo Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic
Jessica Bauer Walker, executive director, Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo
William F. Wieczorek, director, Center for Health & Social Research, Buffalo State College
Morgan D. Williams-Bryant, senior vice president of program and membership, Girl Scouts of WNY
Lisa J. Zakes, director of clinical services, Elderwood Health Plan
Since 2005, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has graduated 99 health leadership fellows from its program. Graduates of the program continue their work as members of the Fellows Action Network, where they work collaboratively to improve care for vulnerable older adults and children in poverty, as well as collectively tackle other critical health issues facing western and central New York. A fifth cohort of the Health Leadership Fellows is currently in progress, with a six cohort class recently selected.
