Board Selects Darlene Burns As Hospital CEO

October 7, 2002:  Darlene A. Burns, MS, RN, has been named chief executive officer of Rome Memorial Hospital, announced Craig McCaa, chairman of the hospital’s Board of Trustees.

Mrs. Burns, who started her career at the hospital in 1970 as a charge nurse, has served as interim CEO since June 24.  She accepted the position as CEO Thursday, Oct. 3.

Over the last four months, the board conducted a national search, which attracted a talented pool of more than 100 healthcare professionals. “As we reviewed the resumes and conducted interviews, Mrs. Burns emerged as the candidate with the best combination of skills to build upon the success of our organization,” McCaa said.  The decision was unanimous.

“Mrs. Burns has the breadth of experience both clinically and operationally to lead the hospital in today’s complex healthcare environment. She has shown competence in challenging situations and is driven by the mission of our organization,” he said.

During her years as the hospital’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, Mrs. Burns played a significant role in the hospital’s fiscal success through the development of new services, McCaa said.  She proposed, developed, and gained approval for several new hospital services to meet the community’s needs, such as the hospital’s 14-bed rehabilitation unit, its 11-bed senior behavioral health unit, and its substance abuse counseling center. 

“Mrs. Burns has strong communication skills, which enable her to build consensus constructively when challenging decisions have to be made,” McCaa said. “She is trusted and respected by the community, our employees, and our medical staff.”

“The board’s decision was a very good move. Darlene has been an asset for years and none of the candidates has more experience that she does,” said Medical Staff President Richard Kaskiw, MD. 

“This is a major step forward in creating a strong working relationship between the hospital and the medical staff. Darlene is fair, her door is always open, and she has always had a willingness to work together,” Kaskiw added. “She recognizes that the hospital and the medical staff have a common goal – the patient – and it’s in working together that we build a top-notch institution for our patients.”

“I am honored that the board has placed its trust in my abilities,” said Mrs. Burns.  “I am privileged to have an outstanding team of senior administrators and directors, who along with our dedicated employees and medical staff, will continue to strive for excellence in meeting the healthcare needs of our community.”

Looking forward, Mrs. Burns said she has three primary goals:  strengthen the hospital’s relationship with the medical staff, enhance the working environment for the hospital’s employees and preserve the hospital’s fiscal viability to ensure that the community has continued access to high quality healthcare services.

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 1970 as a charge nurse.   Moving up through the nursing and administration ranks, Mrs. Burns served as director of nursing from 1982 to 1989, when she was named assistant hospital administrator.   She briefly served as interim hospital administrator in 1992. She was promoted from senior vice president/clinical services to senior vice president/chief operating officer in 2001.

Mrs. Burns is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the New York State Department of Health Advisory Council, the American College of Nursing Executives, the Central New York Nursing Executive Organization, and the National Organization of Risk Management.

She is also involved in the community.  She is a member of the Jervis Library board, past member of the Oneida County Hospice board, and past president of the Rome & Greater Oneida County United Way.  She is a member of St. Peter’s Altar Rosary Society and serves as a Eucharistic minister at St. Peter’s Parish in Rome.

Mrs. Burns has been recognized for her professionalism and dedication through the years.  She received the Outstanding Graduate for Professionalism, Leadership and Community Service award at the New School for Social Research and was named the 1999 Woman of the Year in Healthcare by the YWCA in its Salute to Outstanding Women of the Mohawk Valley.  In 2001, the City of Rome presented her with the Citizenship Award for unselfish, dedicated service and contribution to the citizens of Rome.  This year, she was included in the “Honored Women in Oneida County” exhibit.

As chief executive officer, Mrs. Burns oversees all administrative and management activities involving the hospital and its sister corporations.  Rome Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital that employs more than 1000 employees and has approximately 145 physicians on its medical staff.  Its annual operating budget is more than $53 million.