Contact Information
Kaleida Health
Corporate Office
726 Exchange Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
- (716) 859-5600
- Phone Directory
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Administration
Kaleida Health Board of Directors
| Amy Clifton Frank Curci Evan Evans, M.D. Kevin Gibbons, M.D. Christopher T. Greene, Esq. Robert Halonen Darren J. King |
John R. Koelmel (Chair) George Matthews, M.D. David A. Milling, M.D. Herman S. Mogavero, Jr. M.D. (Treasurer) Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D. (Secretary) Robert M. Zak (Vice Chair) |
See the tabbed listings below to view administration per site.
Kaleida Health Administration
Jody L. Lomeo
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
Jody L. Lomeo assumed the roles of interim president and chief executive officer of both Kaleida Health and of Great Lakes Health System of Western New York in January 2014 while continuing his role as CEO of ECMC.
After serving on the ECMC board of directors for over eight years, Lomeo was named CEO of ECMC in January 2009. During his tenure, he has overseen remarkable change at ECMC because of his focus on patient care and the community. He has been a principal driver of collaboration between ECMC and Kaleida Health as he previously served as vice chair of Great Lakes Health, the entity through which that collaboration is implemented.
Through ECMC’s collaboration with Great Lakes Health and Kaleida Health, a new Center of Excellence in Transplantation and Renal Care was recently joined by a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health on the ECMC campus.
Mr. Lomeo provides guidance to a number of community organizations as a volunteer board member, including D’Youville College and the Healthcare Association of New York State. He and his wife, Mary, live in Clarence, New York with their three children.
Joseph Kessler
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Kessler brings more than 24 years of financial experience to Kaleida Health. Prior to joining Kaleida, Joe served 16 years with TriHealth in Cincinnati, the last seven of which he was the Vice President of Finance. TriHealth is an integrated health system serving the greater Cincinnati area. Prior to joining TriHealth, Joe spent nine years with Ernst and Young out of the regional office in Cleveland, Ohio.
Joe is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
George M. Narby, MD
Interim Chief Medical Officer, Kaleida Health
Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Memorial Hospital
George M. Narby, MD, interim chief medical officer for all of Kaleida Health, joined the organization in 1997 as a House Physician at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. In 2005, he was named Associate Chief Medical Officer and in 2007 became Chief Medical Officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. His role expanded in 2012 to include serving as Chief Medical Officer for both Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Narby served in the U. S. Army from 1988 to 1995, leaving the military as a Major. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Department of the Army Commendation Medal and the New York State Distinguished Service Cross.
Dr. Narby completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He went on to serve at Cutler Army Community Hospital, Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York. Dr. Narby served as Chief, Internal Medicine at both facilities. During his time at West Point, Dr. Narby was deployed to Haiti during operation Uphold Democracy with the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
Dr. Narby operated a private practice in Internal Medicine from 1997 until late 2011. He served as a Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine for several years.
Dr. Narby received both his Bachelor of Science degree and his Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University. Dr. Narby received a Master of Business Administration from the University at Buffalo School of Management in 2013 and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
Toni L. Booker
Executive Vice President
Chief Human Resources Officer
Toni joined Kaleida Health in July 2009 and is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. In her role, she provides leadership and strategic direction for all human resources functions of this health care system of 10,000 employees. As an integral member of the executive team, she directs and oversees organizational change, labor/employee relations, compensation, benefits, staffing, organizational development, occupational health, and diversity initiatives.
During her career, Toni has developed and implemented Human Resources initiatives in large and small organizations. Her global background in Human Resources, multi-cultural perspective and consultative approach have been assets in multiple industries, including financial services, telecommunications, fashion and media/entertainment.
Prior to Kaleida Health, Toni was the Executive Director of Corporate Human Resources at Time Warner Inc. with responsibility for a global client population. Before that, she held both corporate and divisional leadership roles in human resources with The Worth Collection, Ltd., Citigroup and Bankers Trust.
Toni is a native New Yorker who enjoys music, cooking and world travel. Prior community service includes serving as Board Chair for JazzReach, Inc., numerous job coaching workshops for youth and scholarship fundraising activities.
She graduated from Swarthmore College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in Sociology, and holds a certification from the Institute for Applied Management and Law.
Robert Nolan
General Counsel
Robert Nolan joined Kaleida Health in April 2004 as general counsel and senior vice-president of legal services. He also served as acting senior vice president for Human Resources until 2006.
Robert began his career in health care by joining with several other volunteers to create, operate and fund a community-based family health center so that the economically disadvantaged would be able to obtain health services in a manner that respects their dignity and provides continuity of quality care. From that endeavor he was named to the Boards of Directors of a number of nonprofit health care and social services organizations, and as a Charter member of the Ethics Institute of Northeast Pennsylvania.
In his career Robert has created his own law firm, worked for seven years as a prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice and held a variety of executive positions in healthcare systems and facilities. These include serving as general counsel to the Incarnate Word Health System in Texas and the Mercy Health Care System in Pennsylvania; special counsel for labor relations and vice president of Human Resources for the hospitals and nursing homes of the Catholic Medical Center system in New York City, and as chief executive officer of the Santa Rosa Health Care System in San Antonio, TX. He has designed mergers, reconfigured organizational and operational structures to accomplish strategic objectives and developed patient origination and distribution networks as foundations of business growth.
Robert is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was designated as a Felix Frankfurter Scholar. He has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as numerous Federal and State courts, and as a trial attorney he has established legal precedents in both civil and criminal law.
Donald Boyd
Senior Vice President of Business Development
Don Boyd was appointed Senior Vice President of Business Development for Kaleida Health in May of 2009.
Boyd had been the president at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital and a vice president for Kaleida Health since August 2006. In his site president role, he helped lead the hospital's growth, particularly in the vascular service lines such as cardiac, stroke and vascular surgery plus the integration efforts for the global vascular institute.
In his new role, Boyd will be the lead executive for Kaleida Health's numerous growth initiatives, including the development of the global vascular institute (GVI), integration of Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospitals, help with the implementation of the professional steering committee (PSC) recommendations for Great Lakes Health, ECMC and Kaleida Health, coordination of physician alignment plus other business development opportunities throughout Western New York.
A Williamsville resident, Boyd has been with Kaleida Health since its inception in 1998. He previously served as vice president for ambulatory services and business development, director of ambulatory services, manager of quality improvement and director of Kaleida Health's ambulatory surgery center in Williamsville.
He has an MBA with a concentration in corporate finance and health care systems management, from the University of Buffalo (UB). He also holds a bachelor of arts in community mental health and psychology from UB.
David P. Hughes, MD
Senior Vice President
Chief Clinical Integration Officer
After serving as an emergency room physician at Kaleida Health for several years, Dr. Hughes was named chief clinical integration officer. In this role, Dr. Hughes is charged with providing clinical leadership in designing new care delivery processes that improve services, improve quality, reduces costs and eliminate variation.
Dr. Hughes is an accomplished physician, business owner, entrepreneur and engineer. He currently is the owner/medical director of Great Lakes Physician Services, Kaleida Health's medical director for employee health, an attending physician in emergency medicine at Kaleida Health and ECMC, an assistant clinical professor in emergency medicine for UB, as well the president of the Governing Board for the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY) Faculty Practice Management Plan.
Dr. Hughes received his master's degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and his medical degree from UB. He completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest University Medical Center in North Carolina. He received his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.
Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Hughes was a process engineer at the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant.
Michael P. Hughes
Vice President
Chief Marketing Officer
Mike is the Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for Kaleida Health, Western New York's largest employer and largest provider of health care services.
Recruited to Kaleida Health in 2004, he is responsible for the hospital system’s external affairs including marketing, communications, media relations, government affairs, community relations, advertising, grants, creative services and medical photography.
Active in the community, Hughes was appointed in 2008 to the board of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), becoming the youngest Commissioner in the history of the authority. He currently serves on the Canisius College Board of Regents, the Board of Directors for Buffalo Place, the Buffalo Police Athletic League and the West Seneca Zoning Board of Appeals. His public affairs/government relations committee work includes the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus & the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. Mike also coaches youth hockey and soccer in West Seneca.
Prior to joining Kaleida Health, Mike was recruited to and served as the Public Affairs and Marketing Manager for Rural/Metro Medical Services, a national ambulance company. He oversaw all media, government and community relations, marketing, and contract compliance in Western New York. He also served as the statewide public information officer for Rural/Metro’s nationally recognized “Disaster Response Team.”
Hughes has been named to Business First’s “Healthcare 50” list, which acknowledges the top healthcare leaders in Western New York. In 2010, the Communication Studies Department at Canisius College named Mike the “Marilyn G.S. Watt Alumni Award” winner, which is presented annually to a notable alumnus in public affairs and communications.
In 2005, Hughes was named a Business First “40 Under 40” award winner. He is also a graduate of Leadership Buffalo (2002) and the Buffalo FBI’s Citizen’s Academy (2003). In addition to this, he has won numerous awards from International MarCom and the Western New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Prior to joining Rural/Metro Medical Services, Mike served as the Director of Communications for Erie County. In that role, he was the primary spokesman for New York State’s second largest county government and its highest elected official.
Currently enrolled in Harvard Business School’s executive management program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Hughes earned a master’s of business administration degree (MBA) from Medaille College as well as bachelors in Communication from Canisius College.
Buffalo General Medical Center Administration
Cheryl Klass
Senior Vice President of Operations, Buffalo General Medical Center, Gates Vascular Institute and HighPointe on Michigan
Kaleida Health Vice President
Cheryl Klass was named president of Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo and vice president for Kaleida Health in June 2004. She also provides leadership for the Buffalo General Medical Center as the senior vice president of operations (since December 2011).
Cheryl has a comprehensive and very successful background in both adult and pediatric healthcare operations. She began her career as a registered nurse at Children's Hospital of Buffalo in 1977, but quickly advanced into nursing leadership roles that included director of the pediatric, surgical and critical care divisions of the hospital. She also eventually served as the chief nursing officer of Children's Hospital for many years before relocating to Chicago in 1993 to accept the role of chief operating officer for Children's Memorial Medical Center, part of the Northwestern Healthcare System.
Cheryl returned to Buffalo in 2000 and served as the chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and chief operating officer of Sisters Hospital of Buffalo, as well as vice president of Women's Health for the Catholic Health System, before returning to Children's in 2004. She earned her BSN from Niagara University and her MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
David P. Hughes, MD
Senior Vice President
Chief Clinical Integration Officer
After serving as an emergency room physician at Kaleida Health for several years, Dr. Hughes was named chief clinical integration officer. In this role, Dr. Hughes is charged with providing clinical leadership in designing new care delivery processes that improve services, improve quality, reduces costs and eliminate variation.
Dr. Hughes is an accomplished physician, business owner, entrepreneur and engineer. He currently is the owner/medical director of Great Lakes Physician Services, Kaleida Health's medical director for employee health, an attending physician in emergency medicine at Kaleida Health and ECMC, an assistant clinical professor in emergency medicine for UB, as well the president of the Governing Board for the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY) Faculty Practice Management Plan.
Dr. Hughes received his master's degree in public health from the Medical College of Wisconsin and his medical degree from UB. He completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at Wake Forest University Medical Center in North Carolina. He received his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan.
Prior to entering medical school, Dr. Hughes was a process engineer at the General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant.
DeGraff Memorial Hospital Administration
Christopher Lane
President
Kaleida Health Vice President
When Chris Lane was named vice president of Kaleida Health and president of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in January of 2007, he wasted no time in instituting his strong beliefs in team building, accountability, employee and physician engagement, and a deep commitment to exemplary customer service. In January 2012, Mr. Lane took on the additional responsibility of leadership as president for DeGraff Memorial Hospital, as well.
Mr. Lane joined Kaleida Health in 2003, when he was named vice president of Kaleida Health and president of DeGraff Memorial Hospital. Before joining Kaleida Health, he served as administrator of Covenant Health Systems in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Mr. Lane is the winner of the prestigious Modern Health Care Up and Comer Award (given annually to only 12 Healthcare Executives nationwide), Buffalo Business First's 40 under 40, Buffalo Business First Health Care 50 and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas Citizen of the Year 2006 award, among others. He is extremely active in the community: sitting on the Executive Board of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Millard Ambulatory Surgery Center, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Church Home and Canterbury Woods, and a member of the board of Directors for Upstate New York Transplant Services. He is also a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, the Child Care Coalition of Niagara Frontier, Rotary Club of the Tonawandas and Salem, New Hampshire and the United Way of Tonawandas.
Mr. Lane holds a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and received his Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY.
George M. Narby, MD
Vice President
Chief Medical Officer
George M. Narby, MD, came to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital as a House Physician in 1997. In 2005, he was named Associate Chief Medical Officer and in 2007, became Chief Medical Officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. While serving as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Memorial Hospital, in 2014, he was also named interim Chief Medical Officer for all of Kaleida Health.
Dr. Narby served in the U. S. Army from 1988 to 1995, leaving the military as a Major. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Department of the Army Commendation Medal and the New York State Distinguished Service Cross.
Dr. Narby completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He went on to serve at Cutler Army Community Hospital, Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York. Dr. Narby served as Chief, Internal Medicine at both facilities. During his time at West Point, Dr. Narby was deployed to Haiti during operation Uphold Democracy with the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
Dr. Narby operated a private practice in Internal Medicine from 1997 until late 2011. He served as a Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine for several years.
Dr. Narby received both his Bachelor of Science degree and his Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University. Dr. Narby received a Master of Business Administration from the University at Buffalo School of Management in 2013 and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
Mary Beth Farruggio, MS, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
Mary Beth Farruggio, MS, RN, NEA-BC was named Vice President, Kaleida Health and Chief Nursing Officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in March 2008. In January 2012, Mary Beth was also named the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of DeGraff Memorial Hospital, and in July 2012 she was named the Lead Chief Nursing Officer for Kaleida Health. Before joining Kaleida Health, Mary Beth served as Vice President for Patient Advocacy and Logistics at another Western New York hospital.
Mary Beth is a recipient of the 2010 Buffalo Business First Health Care 50, 2007 Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award from Mount Mercy Academy, the 2003 Woman of Influence Award and the New York Organization of Nurse Executives Nurse Leadership Award. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, a member of several nursing organizations, served as a board member of Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS) and is currently a member of the Quality Board of UNYTS.
Mary Beth received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from D’Youville College and her Masters of Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and is certified in Nurse Executive, Advanced - Board Certified.
Hank Cole
Sr. Director of Hospital Operations
Henry (Hank) Cole was named Sr. Director of Hospital Operations at DeGraff Memorial Hospital January 2012. Hank started his career with Kaleida Health as a staff physical therapist at Buffalo General Hospital in 1999. He entered the management field as a rehabilitation medicine manager overseeing initially DeGraff therapies and then moving to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. In 2005, Hank was promoted to the Director of Quality there where he monitored the facility's compliance with state and federal guidelines while working closely with physicians and staff to implement and maintain best practice standards of care.
Mr. Cole is from Clarence, NY and is active with his kids' baseball and softball teams. He is a member of the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Co. and sits on the executive board. Hank foresees continued growth opportunities for specialized services and anticipates building strong relationships with the individuals and community that support DeGraff Memorial Hospital.
Hank received a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Therapy from Daemen College and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Medaille College.
Mary Brown
Director of Nursing/Quality/Patient Safety
Mary Brown began her career with Kaleida Health at DeGraff Memorial Hospital as a nurses' aide 43 years ago. She has held various positions including staff nurse, charge nurse, clinical educator, clinical nurse specialist, and department manager. Mary was most recently the Director of Quality at DeGraff prior to being promoted to the Director of Nursing. Mary has an emanating passion for nursing and is always enthusiastic to share her vast knowledge and experience with others.
Mary resides in Pendleton. She is an active member of St. John's Church in Lockport, board member of the NY Alliance for Donation, past member of Starpoint School Board of Education and Upstate New York Transplant Services Volunteer.
Mary was named DeGraff Hospital Nurse of Distinction in 2003, and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society. She has earned licensure as an RN, MSN, and NP certification in Adult Health. She is also a Certified Professional in Health Care Quality.
Mary Brown states her goals "to be a part of the team that facilitates the growth of our precious community hospital in the areas of service expansion, improved efficiencies, improvement in all areas of quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, while demonstrating vital importance to the community served."
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Administration
Christopher Lane
President
Kaleida Health Vice President
When Chris Lane was named vice president of Kaleida Health and president of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in January of 2007, he wasted no time in instituting his strong beliefs in team building, accountability, employee and physician engagement, and a deep commitment to exemplary customer service. In January 2012, Mr. Lane took on the additional responsibility of leadership as president for DeGraff Memorial Hospital, as well.
Mr. Lane joined Kaleida Health in 2003, when he was named vice president of Kaleida Health and president of DeGraff Memorial Hospital. Before joining Kaleida Health, he served as administrator of Covenant Health Systems in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Mr. Lane is the winner of the prestigious Modern Health Care Up and Comer Award (given annually to only 12 Healthcare Executives nationwide), Buffalo Business First's 40 under 40, Buffalo Business First Health Care 50 and the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas Citizen of the Year 2006 award, among others. He is extremely active in the community: sitting on the Executive Board of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and Millard Ambulatory Surgery Center, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Church Home and Canterbury Woods, and a member of the board of Directors for Upstate New York Transplant Services. He is also a past board member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, the Child Care Coalition of Niagara Frontier, Rotary Club of the Tonawandas and Salem, New Hampshire and the United Way of Tonawandas.
Mr. Lane holds a Bachelor's Degree in political science from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY and received his Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY.
George M. Narby, MD
Vice President
Chief Medical Officer
George M. Narby, MD, came to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital as a House Physician in 1997. In 2005, he was named Associate Chief Medical Officer and in 2007, became Chief Medical Officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. While serving as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Memorial Hospital, in 2014, he was also named interim Chief Medical Officer for all of Kaleida Health.
Dr. Narby served in the U. S. Army from 1988 to 1995, leaving the military as a Major. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Department of the Army Commendation Medal and the New York State Distinguished Service Cross.
Dr. Narby completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He went on to serve at Cutler Army Community Hospital, Fort Devens, Massachusetts and Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, New York. Dr. Narby served as Chief, Internal Medicine at both facilities. During his time at West Point, Dr. Narby was deployed to Haiti during operation Uphold Democracy with the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.
Dr. Narby operated a private practice in Internal Medicine from 1997 until late 2011. He served as a Clinical Instructor, Department of Family Medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine for several years.
Dr. Narby received both his Bachelor of Science degree and his Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University. Dr. Narby received a Master of Business Administration from the University at Buffalo School of Management in 2013 and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
Mary Beth Farruggio, MS, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
Mary Beth Farruggio, MS, RN, NEA-BC was named Vice President, Kaleida Health and Chief Nursing Officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in March 2008. In January 2012, Mary Beth was also named the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of DeGraff Memorial Hospital, and in July 2012 she was named the Lead Chief Nursing Officer for Kaleida Health. Before joining Kaleida Health, Mary Beth served as Vice President for Patient Advocacy and Logistics at another Western New York hospital.
Mary Beth is a recipient of the 2010 Buffalo Business First Health Care 50, 2007 Catherine McAuley Distinguished Alumna Award from Mount Mercy Academy, the 2003 Woman of Influence Award and the New York Organization of Nurse Executives Nurse Leadership Award. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, a member of several nursing organizations, served as a board member of Upstate New York Transplant Services (UNYTS) and is currently a member of the Quality Board of UNYTS.
Mary Beth received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from D'Youville College and her Masters of Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and is certified in Nurse Executive, Advanced - Board Certified.
Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo Administration
Cheryl Klass
Senior Vice President of Operations, Buffalo General Medical Center
Kaleida Health Vice President
Cheryl Klass was named president of Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo and vice president for Kaleida Health in June 2004. She also provides leadership for the Buffalo General Medical Center as the senior vice president of operations (since December 2011).
Cheryl has a comprehensive and very successful background in both adult and pediatric healthcare operations. She began her career as a registered nurse at Children's Hospital of Buffalo in 1977, but quickly advanced into nursing leadership roles that included director of the pediatric, surgical and critical care divisions of the hospital. She also eventually served as the chief nursing officer of Children's Hospital for many years before relocating to Chicago in 1993 to accept the role of chief operating officer for Children's Memorial Medical Center, part of the Northwestern Healthcare System.
Cheryl returned to Buffalo in 2000 and served as the chief operating officer of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo and chief operating officer of Sisters Hospital of Buffalo, as well as vice president of Women's Health for the Catholic Health System, before returning to Children's in 2004. She earned her BSN from Niagara University and her MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Allegra Jaros
Vice President of Hospital Operations
Allegra was appointed as Vice President, Hospital Operations for Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo in 2006.
In this role, Allegra, is responsible for development and leadership of the hospital's long-term strategic direction in the arena of financial and operational management.
Allegra provides leadership, direction, support and assistance to the hospital's operating divisions and directly manage financial operations encompassing the technical finance operations, and all relationships impacting the financial health of the organization. Additionally, Allegra leads all business relationships with physician and physician practices to ensure that the needs of the organization are effectively met.
Allegra has served Women & Children's Hospital and Kaleida Health as Director of Business Development since 2003 and previously as Business Advisor for Women & Children's Hospital and Manager of Operational Planning for Kaleida Health.
Allegra has earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance and Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis on Healthcare from Canisius College.
Debianne Peterman
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer
Debianne Peterman, Ph.D., MSN, RNC-NIC, NE-BC, was appointed Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo in September 2012.
Prior to this appointment, Peterman was Director, System Nursing Education and Professional Development for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She has more than 20 years experience leading nursing and clinical operations. She served as Chief Nursing Officer for a national perinatal home care provider comprised of 3500 nurses while leading the organization through a period of rapid growth, acquisitions and a merger.
As Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Peterman is accountable for the day to day operation of nursing services and for developing and implementing nursing strategy and corporate policies to ensure quality care that exceeds the expectations of patients and their families.
Peterman is responsible for developing and implementing site specific patient-focused management programs, nursing practice guidelines, nursing quality indicators, nursing research based practices, and clinical pathways. She also oversees the integration of the care delivery system so that patient care needs are met within financial, Department of Health and other regulatory guidelines.
Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York Administration
Judy Baumgartner
President of VNA and Kaleida Health Vice President
Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York, Inc. and VNA Home Care Services
Mrs. Baumgartner was appointed to her current position in November 2010. She joined the agencies in 1998 and served as Director of FInance for ten years. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Operations (1997-98) and the Director of Reimbursement (1996-97) at Children's Hospital Home Care. She began her career as a staff accountant with the Children's Hospital of Buffalo in 1992.
Mrs. Baumgartner holds and MBA in Health Care Systems from the University at Buffalo, and a BBA in Accounting from St. Bonaventure University.
Lisa Greisler, RN
Director of Clinical Services
Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York, Inc.
Mrs. Greisler has been in her present position as the lead clinical manager of the VNA since 1996. She joined the VNA in 1981 as a home health nurse, and has spent the majority of her career here, serving as a Liaison Nurse, Patient Service Manager, and Quality Assurance Director prior to her promotion to her current position. She began her nursing career as a staff nurse at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 1979.
She has a BSN from the University at Buffalo.
Laura Raisor, RN
Director of Clinical Services
VNA Home Care Services
Mrs. Raisor assumed her position in 1998. She spent the majority of her career at Staff Builders Home Health, Inc. where she began in 1987 as a Nursing Supervisor. She served as the Director of Patient Services there in 1997-98 prior to joining VNAHCS.
Mrs. Raisor holds a BSN from Daeman College, and an AAS in Nursing from Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs.