Honor Joan Cusack-McGuirk

2019; and WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk is receiving this esteemed medal for her many contributions to the health, well-being and quality of life in Orange County and the Hudson Valley; and WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk is a highly respected leader in healthcare and has served nearly four decades in the field; and WHEREAS, A Long Island native, Joan Cusack-McGuirk graduated from St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing and Medical Center in New York City; she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from SUNY New Paltz and a Master's degree from New York University; she is also a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellows Program; and WHEREAS, Joan began her career in health care as a registered nurse in New York City; and WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk has served more than 30 years at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, which has campuses in both Newburgh and Cornwall; and WHEREAS, In 2016, Joan Cusack-McGuirk was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of the hospital, now known as Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital; previously, she had been the hospital's Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer; and WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk has led the hospital through significant challenges to keep pace with the changing healthcare delivery system; and WHEREAS, In addition, Joan Cusack-McGuirk developed the hospital's Care Transition Program, a multidisciplinary model of care to provide cost-effective, quality care in and out of the hospital; and WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk also served as President of the New York Organization of Nurse Executives; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman has contributed her energy and expertise to many community organizations including: Safe Homes of Orange County, the SUNY Orange Bridges Program, Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Joan Cusack-McGuirk upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 25th Ottaway Medal by the Orange County Citizens Foundation on May 9, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Joan Cusack-McGuirk.