By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
HUDSON — New leadership will take the helm of Columbia Memorial Health at the start of 2023.
Current president and CEO Jay Cahalan announced his retirement at the end of this year. Cahalan has led the organization since 2013.
Dr. Dorothy Urschel, the present chief operating officer, will take over as the new president and CEO beginning Jan. 1. She was appointed by the boards of Albany Med Health System and Columbia Memorial Health.
“Dorothy’s demonstrated leadership in patient care, administration and system integration position her perfectly to lead our Columbia Memorial division,” said Dennis P. McKenna, MD, president and CEO of Albany Med Health System. “She possesses deep, experiential knowledge of every aspect of the operation. I look forward to working more closely with Dorothy and her team as we continue to advance health care in our region, building connections between the hospitals and clinics within our system, and solidifying our future as the provider of choice in every community we serve.”
While serving as the head of CMH for the past nine years, Cahalan expanded the services and footprint of Columbia Memorial Health in Greene, Columbia and Dutchess counties, developing a network of community-based primary and multispecialty providers, in addition to hospital-based services, according to a statement from Albany Medical Center.
Columbia Memorial Health has been affiliated with Albany Medical Center since 2016, when the current Albany Med Health System was formed.
Under Cahalan’s leadership, the organization acquired the Greene Medical Arts Center building in Catskill and added physician practices in Coxsackie, Cairo, Catskill and Tannersville. He also contributed to major additions to the hospital’s Hudson campus, including the construction of the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation Medical Office Building and the hospital’s Kneller wing.
“The needs of our patients drove every decision we made,” Cahalan said. “My greatest privilege has been serving this community alongside incredible colleagues who have inspired me every day. I sincerely thank the people of our community for their trust in Columbia Memorial Health, and our dedicated team of professionals whose compassionate quality care has improved countless lives.”
Cahalan joined CMH in 1994 and served as its chief operating officer for 18 years before being named president and CEO in 2013.
“Jay and his team strengthened access to health care and broadened the scope of services CMH provides,” said CMH board of trustees chairman Kirk Kneller. “In this way, he has made an indelible impact on the very health of our communities. Our region is fortunate to have benefitted from Jay’s leadership, which has established CMH as a steadfast partner in the lives of all our neighbors.”
Dr. Urschel will take over leadership of CMH, overseeing the 192-bed hospital in Hudson and more than 40 primary and specialty care centers, according to Albany Med. She began her career as a critical care nurse and thoracic surgery nurse practitioner, and worked as an acute care cardiac surgery nurse practitioner. She joined St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, serving as vice president of cardiac and vascular services, and as vice president of operations and chief nursing officer for Albany Memorial Hospital.
She joined CMH in 2020 as chief operating officer.
“Dorothy’s demonstrated leadership in patient care, administration, and system integration position her perfectly to lead our Columbia Memorial division,” said Dennis P. McKenna, MD, president and CEO of the Albany Med Health System. “She possesses deep, experiential knowledge of every aspect of the operation. I look forward to working more closely with Dorothy and her team as we continue to advance health care in our region, building connections between the hospitals and clinics within our system, and solidifying our future as the provider of choice in every community we serve.”
Dr. Urschel said her first priorities as she takes the CMH helm will be to provide patient-centered care.
“Health care is about the holistic treatment of every individual, and our team is dedicated to that approach,” Dr. Urschel said. “Since 1889, CMH has been a pillar of our community. Our culture is rooted in a rich history and deep values. I am honored to lead my colleagues as we embrace the future of health care, innovating dynamically to meet the needs of our patients.”
Robert Cushing, chairman of the Albany Med Health System board of directors, thanked Cahalan for his years of service and said he looked forward to Dr. Urschel’s leadership in the future.
“We thank Jay for nearly three decades of selfless service to the Columbia Memorial community,” Cushing said. “His vision to elevate health care led us together, and as our first system partner, his influence will be felt across our region for years to come. I am confident that Dorothy will continue to build upon the strong foundation CMH holds. Her expertise and passion are invaluable assets to the 100,000 people CMH serves.”
