Organization’s Scope of Services, Staff Continue to Grow to Meet Changing Health Care Needs
As a strong proponent of promoting from within and to meet the rapidly expanding health care needs of our regional communities, AHI’s Cathy Homkey announced the promotion of six staff members into newly-created positions.
Anne-Marie FitzGerald, RD, MSEd, has been promoted to the position of Evaluation Manager. FitzGerald, formerly a Data Specialist for Community Health Services at AHI, will be responsible for leading a number of program evaluation projects by working with AHI colleagues and partner organizations to design, develop, and implement process and outcome evaluations. She will identify, analyze, synthesize and present data to identify needs, measure performance and drive decision-making.
FitzGerald earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Syracuse University, a Master of Science degree in Education from the SUNY Potsdam, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Health Programs and Policy from the University at Albany School of Public Health.
Caitlyn Huntington, MPH, CHES, has been promoted to the position of Telemedicine Project Coordinator. Huntington, formerly an Education and Outreach Specialist with AHI’s Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Services and Education (EASE) program, will be responsible for engaging multiple hospital leadership teams and other providers from various settings to advance Telehealth implementation across a six-plus county region. She will also work collaboratively with Rural Health Networks in Northern New York to strategize how best to focus attention, build momentum, and ensure the North Country Telemedicine Project (NCTP) and Adirondack-Champlain Telemedicine Information Network (ACTION) fiber networks are successfully utilized.
Huntington earned a Bachelor of Technology degree from SUNY Canton, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University at Albany School of Public Health.
Phil Kahn, MS, has been promoted to the position of Communications Coordinator. Kahn, formerly an Education and Outreach Specialist and Communications Coordinator for AHI’s Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Services and Education (EASE) program, will collaborate with internal and external team members to enhance stakeholder awareness of AHI. He will develop publications and Websites, facilitate and implement communications strategies and campaigns, and assist with event planning. He will also maintain databases and reporting tools, including metrics tracking, and produce and edit content, including news releases and newsletters for both print and the Web.
Kahn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and a Master of Science degree in Teaching from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Kelly Owens, MS, has been promoted to the position of Workforce Manager. Owens, formerly the Interim Center Director for the Hudson Mohawk Area Health Education Center (HMAHEC), a partner organization of AHI, will be responsible for implementation of Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP)-funded workforce initiatives. She will work collaboratively with project teams of providers, community-based partners and other stakeholders in nine counties to achieve project goals and milestones. She will also work with various workforce vendors on recruitment, training, re-training and re-deployment activities, develop and monitor work plans, and utilize project management systems to track and report progress.
Owens earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Gerontology from St. John Fisher College, and a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Sage Graduate School.
Jill Rock, BS, has been promoted to the position of Project Manager. Rock, formerly an Education and Outreach Specialist with AHI’s Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Services and Education (EASE) program, will be responsible for managing innovative health care redesign projects undertaken by a network of providers and community-based partners spread across a nine-county region. She will work collaboratively with regional project teams, develop and monitor work plans, and utilize project management systems for tracking and reporting purposes. She will also monitor project implementation, identify risks, and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Rock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from SUNY Potsdam.
Courtney Shaler Smith, BA, has been promoted to the position of Manager, Adirondack Rural Health Network (ARHN). Shaler-Smith, formerly the Network Coordinator for Community Health Services at AHI, will oversee ARHN, a program of AHI that covers a seven-county region. She will be responsible for developing and implementing regional projects, creating program materials and reports, coordinating activities and events, representing AHI at various stakeholder meetings, and communicating with network partners to support the development of the regional health care system.
Shaler Smith attended Herkimer County Community College and earned an Associate degree in Applied Science to become a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Business from the College of St. Joseph.
“These promotions reflect AHI’s commitment to excellence,” said Cathy Homkey, Chief Executive Officer. “We have built a high-performing, collaborative team that requires we recruit, retain and recognize individuals for their leadership and contributions. These team members are passionate about building a healthy future for AHI’s nine-county Adirondack region.”
