Kate Rolf President and Chief Executive Officer, VNA Homecare. With the organization since: 2011 Since what year in current position: 2011 Education: Master of Business Administration in technology management and Master of Science degree in health services administration, both from SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome. Bachelor of Science in business management and economics, SUNY Empire State College. Certified home care executive, licensed New York state nursing home administrator and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Also holds an advanced graduate certificate in gerontology and a development dimensions international facilitator certification. Career highlights: More than 17 years of leadership experience in home care. President and chief executive officer of home care of Central New York (dba VNA Homecare), an eight-company long term/community-based care network that includes Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Home Aides of Central New York, Independent Health Care Services, a managed long term care (MLTC) plan, VNA Homecare Options, Eldercare Social Day Program and two charitable organizations, the VNA Foundation of Central New York and Eldercare Foundation. System’s catchment area includes operational headquarters of Onondaga County as well as neighboring counties of Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Oswego and Tompkins. MLTC includes the Capital District region. Previously served as executive director of Home Care Services of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Is also the recipient of countless awards and accolades, including the Accent on Excellence Outstanding Leader Under 40 in Mohawk Valley, Leadership Mohawk Valley’s Follow the Leader Award as well as a program graduate and class representative of Leadership Mohawk Valley. Current affiliations: Currently serves on Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) public policy steering committee and is co-chairwoman of its education committee. Board of directors of the Home Care Association of New York State (HCANY) where she has been appointed to its executive and policy committees. She is also HCANY’s board treasurer
and finance committee chairwoman. Appointed to the Medicaid Redesign Team’s Managed Long Term Care Implementation and Waiver Redesign Work Group that examined New York state’s policies regarding mandatory enrollment of dually-eligible individuals in need of long term care services into care coorcabe dination models. Also serves as a board member for the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) where she is also a home care and community services cabinet member. PACE / Managed Long Term Care Plan Cabinet Member, Long Term Care Executive Council board secretary and Selective Services board member. Also affiliated with the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and the New York State Association of Long Term Care Administrators. n How do you describe your managerial philosophy or approach? My strengths are in strategic planning, streamlining operations and partnership development. I’m always striving to find creative and innovative ways to improve access to quality care that is delivered at a lower cost. Doing so is the only way to meet the constantly changing needs of the community. n What type of skill sets do you possess which make you an effective leader? I am very analytical, love a challenge and have a real passion to always stay ahead of the curve. I am constantly analyzing the marketplace. I love to be completely engaged and am always seeking opportunities for partnerships that will enable us to better serve patients. I believe it helps set the tone for our system and love having a team in place who shares the same passion and is willing to do what it takes to make our vision a reality. I always strive to empower members of my team to make decisions that are smart and strategically-sound. Trusting them is key to our success. n How can the healthcare industry in the region be improved? Home and community-based care is a dynamic and rapidly changing industry. And, because its importance is increasingly at an exponential rate, it’s critical for all stakeholders to work together to preserve the region’s health. Being creative, looking beyond tradition and evolving as needs changes is vital. n What do you do for fun? My entire family loves the Central New York winters. We are a snowmobiling family so unlike most, we always hope for an abundance of snow so we can get out and enjoy the outdoors.
22 - 2015 CNY’s Healthcare Guide
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Kathryn Howe Ruscitto President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. With the organization since: 2001 Since what year in current position: 2011 Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics, LeMoyne College; Master of Public Administration degree, Syracuse University’s Maxwell School; PhD, Doctor of Humane Letters, LeMoyne College. Career highlights: Administrator, human services, Onondaga County; executive vice president, Loretto; executive vice president, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center; president and CEO, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Current affiliations: Member, Healthcare Association of New York State; Catholic Health Association; Iroquois Healthcare, Healthcare Association of New York State; CenterState CEO, Knights & Dames of The Order of Malta Federal Association, Washington, D.C.; board member, HealtheConnections. n How do you describe your managerial philosophy or approach? As a manager, I listen, engage and collaborate. I seek to build in innovation to all we do. n What type of skill sets do you possess which make you an effective leader? I try every day to be a servant leader and stay focused on our mission. n How can the healthcare industry in the region be improved? We all need to understand the data, needs and gaps in care and act to bring about change. n What do you do for fun? I enjoy gardening, hiking in the Adirondacks with my husband and spending time with a great book club.
Marci Erlebacher Executive Director, JCC of Syracuse With the organization since: Joined the board of directors in 1986 and served two terms as board president until appointed executive director. With the organization since: 2001. Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany in performance/acting and directing.