ROME – Few people know the history of Rome Memorial Hospital and its evolution from a bankrupt municipal facility to a thriving community hospital like Michael W. Hayduk Jr.

As a board member, Hayduk is the sole survivor of the city hospital days. He was first appointed to the Board of Managers of the city-owned Rome Hospital in 1989, named president of the Board of Managers in 1992, and has served as chairman of the Rome Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees since the hospital was privatized Jan. 1, 1995.

Citing his health and his length of service as an officer, Hayduk stepped down as chairman of the board Wednesday, June 27. He will continue to serve on the unpaid 10-member hospital board, which elected Craig McCaa as chairman to replace him.

Alvin C. White, President/Chief Executive Officer, praised Hayduk for his years of dedicated service and his role in protecting the hospital for the good of the community.

"I have worked very closely with Mike over the years – through the hurdles of privatization and the hospital’s subsequent growth and progress," he said. "Mike has dedicated countless hours to this organization with the sole motivation of ensuring that the people of Rome had a hospital in their community so they didn’t have to travel 20 miles away for healthcare services."

"The CEO and the chairman of the board must have a close working relationship to function effectively," White said. "Mike is a good listener, sees the big picture and trusts the CEO to do his job. We may not have always agreed on every issue, but the skills he honed as a school administrator enabled us to discuss the issues and reach a workable consensus."

Hayduk retired in 1989 from Madison Central School after 35 years in the district as a teacher, assistant superintendent and director of transportation. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utica College and a master’s degree from Syracuse University.

"I will miss working with Mike as chairman of the board," White said. "But, we will continue to build upon the strengths that have enabled us to improve access to healthcare services, enhance patient satisfaction, and protect the hospital’s fiscal viability."

McCaa, the new chairman of the board, is an attorney-advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he has worked for 23 years. He earned his bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has served on the hospital’s Board of Trustees since 1995.

Also elected during the board’s annual meeting were Dennis R. Schonewetter, vice chairman; Charles R. Getty, treasurer; and Lynn G. Reese, secretary. Serving on the board along with the CEO and the officers are Patricia E. Hendrickson, Natalino A. Filippini, Dr. Donald Jackson, and Elaine Amidon.

Together, they provide oversight for quality of care, policy development and strategic planning to determine the healthcare service needs of the greater Rome community.

Timeline:

• 1989 Mayor Carl Eilenberg appoints Michael W. Hayduk Jr. to the Rome Hospital Board of Managers.

• 1991 Mayor Joseph Griffo reappoints Hayduk to the Board of Managers.

• 1992 Mayor Griffo disbands the 15-member Board of Managers and fires the management company, which delivered a $3.4 million operating loss in 1991 for the city-owned hospital.

• 1992 Hayduk is named president of the new smaller Board of Managers. He is the only one of the original 15 brought back as the city moved towards privatization of the hospital.

• 1995 Hayduk is named chairman of the Board of Trustees for the privatized Rome Memorial Hospital.

• 2001 Hayduk steps down as chairman and continues as a member of the Board of Trustees.

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