Honor Thomas Quinn’s Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 231 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO COMMENDING Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of his retirement after 43 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Central New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished citizens within our midst, who have devoted themselves to improving the health and well-being of the residents of their communities; and WHEREAS, It also is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of such esteemed individuals of this noble Empire State; and WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication, deserve the respect and admiration of their community for their exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of his retirement after 43 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Central New York; and WHEREAS, After earning his Bachelor's degree in English from Le Moyne College in 1968, Thomas P. Quinn held various positions in public affairs; in 1989, he furthered his education by obtaining his Master's in Business Administration at Syracuse University; and WHEREAS, Thomas P. Quinn entered the medical field in 1973 when he became Director of Public Relations for Community General Hospital; over the next 20 years, he would subsequently serve as Director of Corporate Communications, Director of Corporate Services and Vice President of Corporate Services for Community General Hospital; and WHEREAS, In 1999, Thomas P. Quinn became the Corporate Vice President for Planning, Marketing and Public Affairs for the Health Alliance of Central New York, a non-profit entity that was comprised of Crouse Hospital and Community General Hospital; and WHEREAS, In January of 2001, Thomas P. Quinn was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Crouse Hospital, where he oversaw all hospital operations, while securing reaccreditation through the Joint Commission during the hospital's reorganization plan; and WHEREAS, Thomas P. Quinn returned to Community General Hospital in July of 2002, as Executive Vice President, and was instrumental in negotiating the separation of Community General Hospital from Crouse Hospital and the Health Alliance of CNY; and WHEREAS, In September of 2002, Thomas P. Quinn was made President and CEO of Community General Hospital, and the hospital was subsequently relicensed as an independent hospital in 2003; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Thomas P. Quinn, Community General Hospital witnessed many improvements to its service configuration and physical space; the hospital achieved national recognition in orthopedics and maternity services, as well as in infection control, which was recognized through Consumer Reports and Voluntary Hospitals of America; and WHEREAS, After realizing that Community General Hospital needed a partnership in order to remain viable in the region, Thomas P. Quinn was instrumental in negotiating with University Hospital to form a new partnership, and the affiliation process began in mid-2010; and WHEREAS, One year later, Upstate Medical University took over the ownership and operation of Community General Hospital; Upstate maintained essential emergency, maternity, inpatient and outpatient services at Community General and offered positions to 94% of the staff who were then employed at Community General Hospital; and WHEREAS, Following this transition, Thomas P. Quinn continued to serve as President and CEO of Community General Hospital as a non-operating entity, until 2011, when he became Special Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Hospital Affairs for University Hospital; and WHEREAS, In this role, Thomas P. Quinn has consulted on the development of strategic initiatives for University Hospital; explored collaborative opportunities within the Central New York region; helped lead the project team for the $15 million cord blood bank on the Community Campus; and helped lead Upstate's initiative to form a Performing Provider System; and WHEREAS, In addition, Thomas P. Quinn served on the Presidential Search Committee, which selected Danielle Laraque-Arena MD as the seventh President of SUNY Upstate Medical University; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated professionals, who unselfishly devote their lives to the health and well-being of a society, are worthy of the praise of the State of New York for their commitment and contributions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of his retirement, after more than 43 years of dedicated service in improving the health and well-being of the citizens of Central New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be hereby transmitted to Thomas P. Quinn.