President and Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Home
With the organization since: 2005.
In the current position since: 2015.
Education: Master of Public Administration with healthcare emphasis, SUNY Brockport; Bachelor of Science in business administration, SUNY Fredonia.
Career Highlights: “We are expanding our campus with new rental apartments designed for people aged 62 and older. Additionally, we have enhanced our offerings by introducing a licensed home care services agency and a personalized primary care practice, Personal Medicine of Rochester, to our full range of home and community-based services. As part of an $83 million campus transformation project, we built nine new long-term care Green House cottage homes, renovated the Jewish Home Farash Tower long-term care to all private rooms, expanded our short-term rehabilitation program to include all private rooms and created a Readiness Suite, a fully functional apartment designed to help short-term rehabilitation residents practice daily living activities before returning home. We also built a wellness center and a learning and education center.”
Current affiliations: Master Plan for Aging —‚ Long Term Services & Supports Committee and Equitable Facility Transformation Workgroup: 2023 – present; LeadingAge, board member: 2020 – present; Mary Cariola Center, board member and member of finance and audit committees: 2019 – present; Association of Jewish Aging Services (AJAS), executive committee: 2018 – present.
What is your biggest challenge in your current position? “The long-term care industry faces many challenges, but in terms of priority, developing a healthcare workforce that loves working with older adults, and continuing to advocate to New York state around the significant underfunding of Medicaid rates to nursing homes are key focus areas. NYS has the dubious distinction of being the worst state in the U.S. for inadequate Medicaid reimbursement.”
If you could make one change to the current healthcare system, what would it be? “Our aging population continues to need assisted living and nursing care. The low daily NYS Medicaid reimbursement rate has created a crisis that makes it challenging for nursing homes to recruit and retain staff.”
How do you support the well-being of your team? “Designated as a great place to work for the past five years, we are keenly focused on supporting our team. This year we opened an employee grocery store where hourly employees shop for free groceries. We also offer services ranging from scholarships to career training and growth to personal success coaching. I consider it a great accomplishment that we are able to give our employees the support they need to do what they love at a place where they enjoy working.”