30-Year Hospital Veteran

Named Acting CEO

Mrs. Burns replaces Alvin C. White, who served as the hospital’s CEO since 1992. The hospital board and White reached an agreement to release him from his contract before it expires Dec. 31. The board did not disclose the terms of the agreement.

"Mrs. Burns is the ideal person to lead the hospital at this time as we decide upon a replacement for Mr. White," McCaa said. "With her 30 years of dedication to the hospital, she knows this facility inside and out. She has demonstrated a deep conviction to our mission and earned the trust and respect of the community, our employees and medical staff."

Mrs. Burns graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown and earned her master’s degree in health care administration from the New School for Social Research. She started her career at the hospital in 1971 as a charge nurse. Moving up through the nursing and administration ranks, Mrs. Burns served as acting director of nursing from 1982 to 1984, then director until 1989 when she was named assistant administrator. She served as acting chief executive officer in 1992 before White was hired. She was promoted from senior vice president/clinical services to senior vice president/chief operating officer in 2001.

"Over the last several years, Rome Memorial Hospital has flourished under Mr. White’s watch. We’ve added nearly 250 new jobs, several new healthcare services and invested approximately $20 million in renovations and new technology," McCaa said. "We have an excellent senior management team that played a significant role in our success. I am confident that their experience and dedication will keep us moving in a positive direction."

In addition to Mrs. Burns, the hospital’s senior management team includes: 

• Basil J. Ariglio, vice president finance/support services. Employed by the hospital for nearly 10 years, he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LeMoyne College and has completed coursework for his master of science degree in healthcare management and policy from New School University.

• Gale Fellowes, MD, vice president of medical affairs. Employed by the hospital for two years, she received her master’s degree in business administration from the McColl School of Business at Queens College. She received her medical degree from Georgetown School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

• Nicholas Mayhew, assistant vice president finance/support services. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and graduated from the New School University with a master of science degree in healthcare management and policy. He joined the hospital’s staff in 1993 as controller.

• Mark Snyderman, assistant vice president of outpatient services. Registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, he earned his certificate in radiologic technology from the Air Force School of Health Care Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and majored in radiologic science at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. He joined the hospital 20 years ago as manager of the Radiology Department. He was promoted from director of outpatient services to assistant vice president in 1998.

• Connie Jastremski, MS, RN, assistant vice president/nursing. She joined the hospital’s staff in 1999 as director of clinical nursing services. She has master’s degrees in nursing and business administration and received her post-master’s certificate for adult nurse practitioner from SUNY Health Science Center.

• Debra Wurz, administrator of the Residential Health Care Facility. She graduated from SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in health services management. She became administrator of the skilled nursing facility in 1999.