Westchester Medical Center Health Network

How Are They Now? Meet Rich—a Heart Transplant Success Story! April is Donate Life Month, and we’re shining a spotlight on neighbors like Rich, whose life was transformed by organ donation. In December 2022, Rich received a heart transplant at Westchester Medical Center—one of several life-saving organs from a single donor. Today, Rich is thriving! He's retired, traveling, staying active, and cherishing time with loved ones. As one of the most established multi-organ transplant facilities in New York, our Westchester Medical Center is home to teams that perform the most complicated, life-saving transplants using the most advanced technology. Learn more at bit.ly/41qYhKh or call 914.493.1990. #DonateLifeMonth

We recently hosted a special career event for workforce members: "Leadership in the 21st Century: New Roles and Opportunities for Women." Featuring Matilde Roman (SVP, Chief Equity Officer), Megan Baldwin (SVP, Government Relations), Kelly Soldano (SVP, HR Operations), Francine Fields (VP, Health Info Management), and Nicole Lucas, RN (VP, Patient Care Services), the panel tackled mentorship, resilience, and influence. This event celebrated women’s ongoing leadership in healthcare, amplifying their impact through candid insights and an engaging Q&A with attendees. Many thanks to the members of our esteemed panel for their participation and insight!

We are adding another renowned physician to our faculty. Ivor S. Douglas, MD, an international leader in pulmonary and critical care medicine, is bringing his clinical and academic expertise to the Hudson Valley as the Director of the Department of Medicine at Westchester Medical Center. Dr. Douglas is a National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, and industry-funded principal investigator. He serves on the steering committees and safety monitoring boards for several multicenter international studies in critical illness. He has authored more than 190 articles and chapters, and his research has been published in prestigious medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. In addition to his role at Westchester Medical Center, Dr. Douglas will also serve as the Barbara and William Rosenthal Chair of the Department of Medicine at our academic partner New York Medical College. Dr. Douglas begins his tenure in June, but let's not wait to welcome him to our Network and the region. Please extend Dr. Douglas well-wishes in the comments.

"From the beginning, I have known that my journey wasn’t a solitary one. It was built on the foundation laid by countless women who came before me and by the continuous support of my peers—both male and female." Elissa Chessari, Executive Director of our Northern Region, which includes Margaretville, HealthAlliance, and MidHudson Regional Hospitals, reflects on mentorship’s lasting impact on her career as #WomensHistoryMonth closes. "I have been fortunate to be surrounded by influential women who have not only paved the way but have also shown me that leadership isn’t just about being at the front; it’s about fostering growth in others, working together, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. This approach has profoundly shaped my understanding of leadership, emphasizing collaboration and relationships over competition. A key example of this has been the mentors who guided me without expectation—women who understood the importance of nurturing potential, not just for today, but for the future. They imparted wisdom, shared their own stories, and created an environment rooted in mutual support. Through their leadership and friendship, I learned that success is not individual but collective. To honor their impact, I have made it my mission to pay this forward. I actively participate in mentorship programs, share resources, and help others navigate challenges. Leadership, to me, is about lifting as we climb—seeing the potential in others, nurturing their growth, and cheering them on every step of the way. When women stand together, we create unstoppable momentum. A single act of support ripples outward, shaping future generations of bold, brilliant, and fearless leaders. Let’s keep lifting, mentoring, and empowering—because when we rise together, we change our organizations, and we change the world."

We welcomed NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham, MD, MS, to MidHudson Regional Hospital to review our Low Threshold Buprenorphine Program—a cornerstone in treating opioid use disorder. As one of New York State’s leading behavioral health providers, WMCHealth is driving meaningful change across the Hudson Valley. Our own Lauren Taliaferro, NCC, MHC-LP, Emergency Department Social Worker, has guided over 700 (!) community members toward recovery in the program’s first year—a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise. Way to go Lauren! Dr. Cunningham met with our staff, explored our approach, and saw firsthand how we’re shaping the future of addiction care. At WMCHealth, we’re committed to innovative solutions and healthier communities. What’s your take on advancing behavioral health initiatives? Let’s connect in the comments.

President & CEO Dr. David Lubarsky rolled into Poughkeepsie for the third stop on his workforce listening tour at our MidHudson Regional Hospital. No scripts, just real talk as Dr. Lubarsky connected with colleagues, listening closely to their perspectives on what makes MidHudson Regional Hospital shine and what enhancements we can make to better serve our neighbors in Dutchess and Ulster counties. These listening sessions aren't pit stops for Dr. Lubarsky. They're launching pads for ideas and fuel for the future of healthcare delivery in our region.

“When I began my career, I never imagined I’d end up in healthcare leadership. Looking back, every step was preparing me for where I am today.” Megan Baldwin is our Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations. This #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re proud to share the success stories and career paths of leaders like Megan. “I began my career in government as a budget analyst for the New York State Senate and quickly moved into roles that placed me at the intersection of healthcare policy, finance, and healthcare operations—from Assistant Secretary for Health in the Governor's Office to Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Health. My appointment in the Governor’s Office was a significant milestone, as I quickly found myself in the front row of government operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I helped lead the pandemic response and statewide vaccine distribution efforts. The urgency, collaboration, and complexity of that time underscored for me how critical strong leadership and cross-sector coordination are in public health. My inspiration has always come from the people I work with and the communities we serve. Whether it’s expanding access to care, solving acute issues, or developing strategies to strengthen our health infrastructure, I’ve seen what’s possible when leaders bring clarity, compassion, and collaboration to the table. My advice to people who want to lead in healthcare is to invest in relationships. It takes a team to get things done, and you never know when you may need to tap into someone. You also need to stay resilient and adaptable. Know your value—your perspective, experience, and voice are important. And always keep learning!” What do you do to keep learning throughout your career?

“When I started my career 33 years ago, I knew the healthcare industry was where I wanted to be but had no idea that my career would be so fulfilling.” Francine Fields, MHA, RHIA is our Vice President, Network Health Information Management. We’re inspired by Francine’s tenacity and her commitment to health information management, a crucial role in healthcare that deserves recognition. We’re proud to showcase the work of Francine and other outstanding leaders at WMCHealth throughout #WomensHistoryMonth. “I initially started out as a physical therapy major and quickly changed focus when I realized that I was crying more than my patients as I was exercising them. My path into Health Information Management (HIM) and leadership began at a very early age. Within 6 months of graduating with my Health Information Management (HIM) degree, I was hired as a Manager of HIM at a small acute care facility and from there I moved to several acute care facilities prior to landing at Westchester Medical Center in 2011. I have also been an adjunct professor at several Health Information Management programs teaching a wide range of courses—from medical terminology to legal aspects of medical records to healthcare statistics. I enjoy empowering the next generation of HIM professionals in whatever capacity I can. I am proud to lead an amazing team of health information professionals at WMCHealth. There are many challenges in healthcare, but I truly believe that these challenges are not meant to highlight our weaknesses, but to guide us to strengths we may not know we have.” Did you ever have a “lightbulb moment” in your career where you knew you were meant to do (or not do) something?

“From the beginning of my career at WMCHealth in 2008, I have had the absolute honor and privilege of learning from many trailblazing female leaders. Gaining knowledge from the experiences of both seasoned and emerging leaders has fostered a culture of mutual respect and continuous growth. My career has been shaped by these strong mentors who showed me what it means to lead with compassion and resilience.” Marie Yezzo is our Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Western Region. We’re inspired by Marie’s ability to grow her own career while serving as a mentor for so many of her colleagues. In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re shining the spotlight on Marie and other outstanding women leaders at WMCHealth. “Collaboration across generations of women has profoundly shaped my leadership philosophy by highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives. Education plays a pivotal role in empowering women to drive change, providing the knowledge and skills necessary to challenge norms and innovate. I believe that leadership is more than just managing teams and initiatives—it’s about fostering growth in others, particularly young women who are at beginning of their career journey. Cultivating a culture of mentorship translates to being available, approachable, and empathetic to the next generation of female leaders. The relationships I have forged throughout my career and the many mentorship opportunities offered at WMCHealth are rooted in the belief that supporting one another creates a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system for our patients, community and workforce.” #WomensHistoryMonth How have you learned from others throughout your career, and what do you do to mentor those new to your field?

The leadership is clear, and the message is clear. A new adventure towards enhanced patient care is underway at WMCHealth, under the direction of President & CEO Dr. David Lubarsky.