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Rome Memorial Hospital Welcomes Three New Board Members
ROME December 5, 2002 – Rome Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees gained the skills of an attorney, a town councilman and an engineer with the appointment of three new board members.
The new members, Gerald T. McDonald, Alan J. Trombley and W. Robert Herrmann, received a comprehensive board orientation, which explained their role as board members and provided an overview of the hospital’s operations.
The three fill board seats left vacant by Elaine Amidon, whose term expired this year; Patricia Hendrickson, who passed away April 23; and Natalino Filippini, who resigned last year due to business and personal commitments.
“In seeking new members, we looked for people in our community who possess the skills to carry out the board’s oversight responsibilities,” said Board Chairman Craig A. McCaa. The hospital’s nine-member Board of Trustees oversees quality of care, policy development and strategic planning. Serving on the board, in addition to McCaa and the new members, are Vice Chairman Dennis Schonewetter, Treasurer Charles Getty, Secretary Lynn G. Reese, Michael Hayduk, and Donald Jackson, M.D.
“Our new board members bring with them valuable skills acquired in their professional lives,” McCaa said. “We’re pleased that they have accepted the responsibility to help guide the hospital and advance its forward progress for the benefit of the community.”
McDonald, 8647 Teugega Point, is serving as the representative of Oneida County under terms of county bonding for the hospital in 1978. He was nominated by County Executive Ralph J. Eannace Jr.
McDonald retired in 1999 from O’Shea, McDonald, Panzone & Stevens, where he practiced law for 37 years. He continues to serve as councel to the law firm. A graduate of Cornell University, McDonald earned his juris doctorate from Albany Law School and was in private practice for four years in Utica before joining the Rome law firm.
Filippini, who was nominated to the board by the county executive recommended McDonald as his possible replacement. The county executive is provided one board nomination because of interest payments the hospital owes the county for the Bartlett Wing.
County Executive Eannace expressed his appreciation to McDonald and the Board. “Mr. McDonald’s legal background and his familiarity with Rome’s needs will be great assets for the hospital board. He can also serve as a great communications link so that the county can assist Rome Memorial Hospital in its care for the community whenever possible,” the county executive stated.
“During his career, Gerry gained a working knowledge of the healthcare system through his defense work involving area hospitals,” McCaa said. “He has a keen understanding of the importance of risk management and will be able to provide us insight when litigation issues arise.”
“Now that I’m retired and have more time, I wanted to do something community oriented,” McDonald said. “Rome Memorial Hospital is the only hospital facility we have in Rome and we need to see that it remains healthy.”
“I was very satisfied to learn that Darlene had been named CEO,” McDonald said. “She’s had so much experience. With Darlene and the hospital’s experienced senior administrative staff, everything bodes well for the future.”
Trombley, 9235 Sly Hill Road, Town of Lee, has served as a Town of Lee councilman since 1988. He retired in June from Staley Junior High School where he taught social studies for 34 years. He graduated from SUNY Oswego with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social studies and received a certificate for advanced studies in administration.
“From his work in public service, Alan recognizes the importance of building good relationships with his constituents,” McCaa said. “He also has budgetary experience from his 14 years on the Lee Town Board.”
“Rome Memorial Hospital is an excellent hospital and I want to be involved in advancing its reputation in the community,” said Trombley, who was recommended to the board by Schonewetter. The hospital has started a new chapter with Darlene Burns as its new CEO. “I think she’s going to be excellent. With her reputation and experience, I support the executive committee’s decision unequivocally.”
Herrmann, of 7518 Oriskany Road, retired from Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in 2000 with over 30 years experience as an engineer with the Department of Defense. He earned bachelor of science degrees in aeronautical engineering and mathematics from the University of Michigan and received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Syracuse University.
In the Standards Architecture Program, Herrmann was responsible for information technology planning for the lab and other government organizations. He came to Rome in 1974 after gaining engineering experience at Lockheed, General Dynamics, and General Electric. Herrmann also operates a Christmas tree farm in the Town of Western.
About a year ago, “Patti Hendrickson asked me if I would be interested in serving on the hospital board. She said they were looking for someone with integrity and honesty and thought that I might fit the bill,” Herrmann said.
“Bob’s expertise in information technology will be valuable to the hospital as we continue to make advancements,” McCaa said. “Bob successfully led Rome Lab’s Y2K team to ensure that its systems would be operational across the century mark.”
“The hospital has a good team. The board has done some necessary things to get the right people in place,” Herrmann said. “Darlene is an excellent choice for CEO because she can get along with everyone, she knows the hospital’s history, and what needs attention.”
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