Excellus Selects Four New Regional Advisory Board Members

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named four community leaders to its regional advisory board.

They are:

• Lisa Betrus serves as the senior vice president and chief value officer for the Bassett Healthcare Network and president of Valley Health Services and Valley Residential Services, located in Herkimer. She is a licensed nursing home administrator. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health services administration at Ithaca College and completed her Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance at Sage graduate school. An active community member, Betrus has been recognized with numerous awards for her career achievements and civic involvement, including WCNY Women Who Make America, the Genesis Group award for Outstanding Healthcare Leadership and The Ithaca College Outstanding Young Alumni. She currently serves on the boards of the Central New

York Community Arts Council (The Stanley Theater), Mohawk Valley EDGE and Workforce Investment Board for Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties.

• Justin Hummel is chief executive officer of Hummel’s Office Plus, the largest independent office supply dealer in Upstate New York. He earned his Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in business administration from Herkimer County Community College. He was a recipient of the Genesis Group Striving for Success award and the Central New York Business Journal 40 under 40 award. An active community member, Hummel currently serves on several boards including Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, Pinnacle Affiliates, Mohawk Valley Edge, and Little Falls Hospital. Within these organizations, his commitment includes roles on various committees.

• Kelly Walters is the executive director of 50 Forward Mohawk Valley, a position she has held for over 18 years. She earned her Bachelor of at Drumlins Country Club in Syracuse on June 28 to support Oneida Health’s growing behavioral health program.

“The Oneida Health Foundation charity golf classic is one of our most successful annual fundraisers and provides financial resources to support healthcare services in our communities,” said Daniel Huffer, president of the Oneida Health Foundation board of trustees. “In recent years we have been able to support educational efforts to enhance our healthcare workforce, invest in new technology, drive community education, develop new programs, and provide financial support to those seeking cancer treatments. This year’s funds will support care for those facing behavioral health concerns, which is a growing issue impacting individuals of all ages.”

Over the past year, Oneida Health has made significant investments in growing access to behavioral health services.

• In August 2022, Oneida Health received a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant for $800,000 over four years to increase access to behavioral and mental health screenings and care by establishing collaborative health in its primary care offices.

• In November 2022, Oneida Health received $150,000 over three years from the Excellus BlueCross

BlueShield Member and Community Health Improvement (MACHI) grant to establish services for their patients receiving care at its Women’s Health practice, Lullaby Center, or emergency department (ED) addressing mental health, substance abuse, or age- specific women’s behavioral health conditions.

• In January, Sen. Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced he had secured $1 million for Oneida Health in the 2023 Omnibus spending package to complete renovations to the lower level of 607 Seneca Street in Oneida to establish an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Scheduled to open in the spring of 2024, the program will include group psychotherapy, individual and family psychotherapy, and medication management.

“The funds raised through this event improve the health and well-being of our patients,” said Jeremiah Sweet, interim president and CEO of Oneida Health. “We owe a great amount of gratitude to our presenting sponsor Nunn’s Home Medical Equipment and all of the businesses and community members who came out to support this year’s event. Because of them, we will be able to take the necessary steps to improve access to essential behavioral health services in our community. This would not be possible without their support.”

Arts degree in political science from Utica College. In addition to working with seniors and the community for over 25 years, she previously served two terms on the City of Utica Common Council. Walters has been the recipient of several awards including the NeighborWorks America – The Dorothy Richardson Award, the Accent on Excellence Award, the NYS Women’s Inc. Woman of the Year Award, the Genesis Group Legacy Award, the Treva Wood Community Activist Award from Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, the Richard McMahon Governance Award from the Rome Community Foundation, and the New York State Senate Commendation Award from Sen. Joseph Griffo. Walters currently serves on various boards and committees: HomeOwnership Center, Center for Family Life & Recovery, Workforce Investment Board, Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition Board, Oneida County Office for Aging Advisory Board, City of Utica Youth Advisory Board, and Oneida County Livable Communities steering committee.

• Physician Mario Victoria is vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. He serves as medical director for Clifton Fine Hospital, a Samaritan Health partner, and is a member of the Health Care Partners of North Country Board and North Country Initiative Board. In addition to joining the Utica Regional Advisory Board, Victoria is also a member of the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Credentials Committee. Victoria earned a medical degree from the University of Medical Sciences of Havana. He completed his residency in pediatrics at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences Center and received his Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Victoria is a member of the American Association of Physician Leadership, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Other Excellus BCBS regional advisory board members include physician Kristin Ambler of Ambler Medical; physician James Cesare of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group P.L.L.C.; Richard Creedon of Utica Mutual Insurance; Ronald Cuccaro of Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation; Frank C. DeRiso of UFCW Local One; Dietra Harvey of United Way of the Mohawk Valley; Camille T. Kahler, of Saunders Kahler L.L.P.; Cathleen C. McColgin, Ph.D., of Herkimer College; Cathy M. Newell of Mohawk Ltd.; physician Daniel Welchons of AMP Urology, David Wippman of Hamilton College; Judith Vicks Sweet, CPA of Strategic Financial Services; physician Eric B. Yoss of Mohawk Valley Health System; and Jill D. Wynne, CPA of Masonic Care Community.

“As a local health plan our mission is to help people in our communities live healthier and more secure lives through access to high quality, affordable health care. With their wide range of experience and expertise in healthcare, community wellness, and business, these individuals add breadth and depth to our board as we work to fulfill our mission,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BCBS Utica regional president.