Welcome to CNYAHEC – Empowering Health Equity and Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce in Rural and Underserved Communities!
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:
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.
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.
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
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
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!
Email annabelle@cnyahec.org for any questions or concerns!
The NYSAHEC System is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Award titled Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program (U77). The content and information is solely the responsibility of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.