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About Us

Welcome to CNYAHEC – Empowering Health Equity and Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce in Rural and Underserved Communities! 

Who We Are

Established in July 2001, CNYAHEC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization passionately dedicated to improving health care access, delivery, and outcomes in a 14-county region of Central New York. Our unwavering commitment is to empower health equity and bolster the healthcare workforce in both rural and underserved communities, making quality care accessible to all. 

Within our service area, we proudly serve a diverse population of over 1.62 million people, where 19 hospitals play a crucial role in catering to the unique health needs of predominantly rural areas. We recognize the challenges faced by these communities, particularly in the realms of primary health care, mental health care, and dental health care. Therefore, we diligently work to address the geographic pockets of federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) in the region. 

Our mission, adopted in June 2002, drives every aspect of our work: CNYAHEC, through collaborative efforts, improves access to quality health care by promoting advancements in the supply, training, development, and distribution of health professionals within our 14-county area. We are resolute in our pursuit to empower health equity and strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved communities.

Guided by this mission, we focus our efforts on four key priority areas, each contributing to our vision of a healthier, more equitable future: 

  • Health Careers Exploration: To build a robust and diverse healthcare workforce, we inspire and support individuals from all backgrounds to explore fulfilling health care careers. By nurturing talent and providing valuable resources, we ensure our communities are served by compassionate and competent professionals. 
  • Continuing Education Programs and Services: In collaboration with healthcare providers, we uplift the existing workforce by offering a wide range of continuing education initiatives. Through these programs, we equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles, thus enhancing the overall quality of care. 
  • Clinical Training Opportunities: Recognizing the value of hands-on experience, we facilitate clinical training opportunities for aspiring health practitioners. By providing real-world exposure, we empower them to become proficient caregivers, ready to meet the diverse health needs of their communities. 
  • Community Partnership Development: We firmly believe that unity is strength. Through strategic partnerships with community organizations and healthcare providers, we collectively work towards dismantling barriers to care and ensuring equitable access to health services for all residents. 

 

At CNYAHEC, we envision a future where every individual, regardless of their background or location, has access to high-quality health care. Our dedicated team, in collaboration with our esteemed partners and supporters, is committed to making this vision a reality. Together, we strive to build a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant Central New York for generations to come. 

Join us on this transformative journey as we champion health equity and cultivate a stronger healthcare workforce, creating lasting positive impact in rural and underserved communities. Together, we are the driving force behind a healthier tomorrow. 

Our Region

As part of the larger New York State AHEC System, CNYAHEC is one of nine centers in the State of New York offering statewide capacity for addressing healthcare workforce needs.

Located in Syracuse, New York, the CNYAHEC office is found in the heart of its service area and central to the counties it serves. The CNYAHEC 14-county regional service area includes Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins counties.

Our Staff

Richard Merchant
CEO
rkm@nahecnet.org

Annabelle Fears
CNYAHEC Center Director
annabelle@cnyahec.org

Lisa Levison
Chief Operating Officer – Compliance Officer
lisa@hwny.org/ 315.212.2963

Christina DeLorenzo
CFO
cdelorenzo@nahecnet.org / 315.379.7701

Ashleigh McGowan
HWNY VP of Innovation and Design
amcgowan@cnyahec.org / 607.423.9199

Kris Merchant 
HWNY Director of Projects and AHEC SET Program Coordinator
kris@hwapps.org / 315.212.7517

Ben Aldrich
HWNY Director of Technology and Data Security
ben@hwapps.org / 315.244.7260

Tasnim Islam
HWNY Instructional Technology Specialist
tasnim@hwny.org / 929.375.1454

Judi Wesser
InService Solutions Specialist
jwesser@cnyahec.org / 607.863.3981

Board Members

Chair
Allison A.N. Duggan, MD, FACS
Chief Clinician Medical Director
Elevance Health

Vice Chair
David W. Felton
President & Chief Executive Officer (Retired)
Crouse Community Center Nursing Facility

Secretary
Tammy L. Austin-Ketch, PhD
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
SUNY Upstate Medical University

Treasurer

Gloria E. Meredith, PhD
SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences 
Founding Dean Emerita, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
SUNY Binghamton University 

Members

Lisa Olsen-Gugerty, RN, MPH, PNP-C, DHSc
Associate Teaching Professor at Syracuse University
Family Nurse Practitioner

Shari Weiss, PhD, MPA, Master CASAC, Health Leadership Fellow
Executive Director
Cayuga Community Health Network

Tricia A. Peter-Clark, FACHE
President/Chief Executive Officer
ConnextCare

Richard R. Terry, DO, MBA, FAAFP, FACOFP
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) at Elmira

Kent N. Hall, MD
SVP/Physician Practices and Operations
Mohawk Valley Health System

Mary Springston, MS Ed. PA-C
Director of Clinical Advancement and Clinical Associate Professor at Le Moyne College

Message From Our Team

The Central New York Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving healthcare in a 14 county region in Central New York. Our goal is to increase health equity and strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural and underserved areas. We offer career exploration programs for middle and high school youth, placements and exploration opportunities for currently matriculated college students, and continuing education opportunities for current healthcare professionals. Recent challenges, worsened by COVID-19, highlight workforce gaps in Health and Human Services, disproportionately impacting our rural and underserved communities. We advocate for comprehensive approach, focusing on Training, Retention, Diversity, and Collaboration. Explore our programs – we would love to hear from you!

Annabelle Fears, Center Director

Email annabelle@cnyahec.org for any questions or concerns!