Chief Executive Officer, Rochester Presbyterian Home
With the organization since: January 2023.
In the current position since: January 2023.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing, University of Buffalo; MBA in healthcare management, University of Phoenix; licensed nursing home administrator.
Career Highlights: “Thirty years of nursing and healthcare management experience. I started my career in home care and advanced from director of nursing to administrator of a 500-unit continuing care retirement community in Virginia where I achieved five consecutive years with deficiency-free VA State inspections. After moving to Rochester, I became the administrator and CEO of Kirkhaven. I led Kirkhaven to earn a five-star rating for quality of care and deficiency-free infection control surveys during the COVID-19 crisis. In 2023 I joined Rochester Presbyterian Home and have proudly brought occupancy rates back to pre-pandemic levels as we head into RPH’s 100th anniversary in 2025.”
What is your biggest challenge in your current position? “Staffing remains a challenge due to the ongoing nursing shortage and shortage of caregivers in general. We have made many improvements to the compensation and benefits packages that we can offer employees but there are simply not enough skilled caregivers available in the workforce.”
What is your greatest strength professionally? “I believe my greatest professional strength lies in my leadership style. I am quality-focused, results-oriented and take a positive, collaborative approach to bringing together the right team to achieve our goals effectively. I prioritize health and business operations management with a strong emphasis on continuous quality improvement, ensuring that every aspect of our work reflects excellence and care. At Rochester Presbyterian Home, our team is deeply committed to creating an exceptional experience for our residents. This dedication is reflected in the positive feedback we consistently receive from both family and employee surveys, underscoring our shared mission of providing top-notch care and support.”
If you could make one change to the current healthcare system, what would it be? “If I could make one change to the current healthcare system, it would be to address the ongoing nursing shortage through meaningful incentives and systemic improvements. Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system and their well-being and job satisfaction directly impacts outcomes and the overall quality of care. I am an advocate for competitive compensation, student loan forgiveness programs and scholarships to encourage more individuals to enter the nursing profession. Additionally, I have been committed to improving workplace conditions for caregivers by providing opportunities for professional growth, increasing wages and fostering a culture of respect and support. By investing in these areas, we can build a more robust and sustainable nursing workforce to meet the growing demands of our healthcare system.”
How do you support the well-being of your team? “Supporting the well-being of my team is a top priority, and I believe fostering work-life balance and promoting self-care are essential components. I encourage team members to set healthy boundaries and provide flexibility whenever possible to help them manage both personal and professional responsibilities. Promoting self-care goes beyond just offering time off; I strive to create a supportive environment that values mental health, encourages stress management practices, and recognizes the importance of physical well-being. Whether it’s rolling up my sleeves to lend a hand or simply expressing appreciation for their hard work, I aim to ensure our team feels valued and supported. A healthy, happy team is not only more productive but also better equipped to provide high-quality care and service to our residents and their families.”