CNYHSA: Central New York Health Systems Agency

For additional information, contact CNYHSA office at 315-472-8099.  Meeting and presentations are open to the public.

CNYHSA FEBRUARY, 2010 BOARD MEETING featured an address to nearly 50 attendees by Thomas Jung, Director, Health Facility Planning, NY State Department of Health Mr. Jung’s remarks highlighted highlighted future health care issues, in the “post-Berger" right-sizing era:  evolving reimbursement systems; use of quality indicators and prevention incentives; testing of “hybrid” models of care; and Certificate of Need (CON) reform. He cited the importance of local health planning and “community-centric” vs. “facility-centric” approaches and promoted CNYHSA participation in these activities. 
The Board was also briefed by Paul Kronenberg, MD, CEO of Crouse Hospital and Tom Quinn, President/CEO of Community General Hospital on the efforts of their institutions to pursue a merger of the two Syracuse hospitals with the goal of creating a high quality, integrated health care delivery system.  A new HSA Board member, Kimberly Sullivan-Dec, Vice President, Liberty Resources, was also elected at the meeting.

CNYHSA 2009 ANNUAL MEETING in November featured a panel of local health experts who shared perspectives on the need for health care reform to address the problem of the uninsured.  Panel members included Ruben Cowart, DDS, CEO of the Syracuse Community Health Center, Peter Sarver, Co-Chair, Health Care Task Force of Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS), and Gregory Threatte, MD, Professor, Chair of Pathology at Upstate Medical University. Discussion underscored the complexity of the issue and basis for reform. A statement to CNYHSA from Congressman Dan Maffeiwas read at the meeting outlining his support of the recently passed House Affordable Health Care for America Act as a necessary first step.

CNYHSA SEPTEMBER, 2009 BOARD MEETING was highlighted by a presentation by Kathryn Ruscitto, Senior Vice-President of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center on plans for a $200 million major modernization project to address the hospital’s Emergency Department and Surgical Services needs. The project calls for creation of a new Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) facility as well as construction of an addition to accomodate 38 intensive care unit beds and 72 private medical/surgical beds.  The HSA Board also received a report on the agency's successful 2008-09 annual audit.  The Board voted in a new Board member, Bruce Wood, a practicing attorney in health law and partner in Wood and Smith, PC. 

CNYHSA MAY, 2009 BOARD MEETING was highlighted by presentations from R. Brooke Hollis, Executive Director of the Sloan Program in Health Care Management at Cornell University and Jeff Bastable, Instructor at the Sloan Program.  Their topic was: "Preparing Health Care and Community Leaders: Current Model and Opportunities for Collaboration with Cornell's Sloan Program."  A new HSA Board member was elected: Jacqueline Iacovelli, Community and Regional Affairs Director for Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Reports at the meeting included a recap of the agency's successful Transcending Boundaries Conference held in April and attended by over 100 participants.  The all-day conference, supported under the agency's HIV Technical Assistance Program, was  organized as a faith-based dialogue to address the health needs of minority populations.

CNYHSA FEBRUARY, 2009 BOARD MEETING theme was Community Health Decision-Making, featuring presentations on outcomes of Berger Commission recommendations by: Dennis Casey, Executive Director, A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital, who spoke on the conversion of A.L. Lee Memorial to a diagnostic and treatment center; Roberta Sprague, Commissioner, Onondaga County Dept. of Long-Term Care Services and Thomas Quinn, President/CEO, Community-General Hospital; their presentation focused on joint planning and governance for long-term and acute care services.  Also covered at the meeting was the news that the CNYHSA’ s application under the HEAL 9 Local Health Planning Initiatives program was turned down by the NY State Department of Health. A total of $7.1 Million was granted to 18 non-profit and public entities across the state for a variety of community health planning projects aimed at improving health system efficiency and effectiveness.

JANUARY 2009.  CNYHSA colleagues and the health planning community mourn the loss of former Executive Director John Caezza who passed away January 7, 2009 at the age of 80. Click here for obituary notice 

NEW SHORTAGE AREA DESIGNATIONS  In 2009 and 2008, CNYHSA was successful in securing or supporting 9 federal Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) designations.  Primary Care HPSA’s were approved by US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) for: Rome, Utica, and Camden in Oneida County, Hamilton in Madison County, Watertown in Jefferson County, Lowville in Lewis County, and Massena in St. Lawrence County.  Hamilton and Jefferson counties were also designated as Mental Health HPSAs.  These designations provide incentives for underserved areas in recruiting practitioners and in qualifying for federal and state grants. 

CNYHSA has over 30 years experience in conducting HPSA analyses in Central New York and other regions in New York State. A complete listing and map of current HPSA’s can be found by clicking on the “Resources” button.