Senate Resolution No. 351

BY: Senator PALUMBO

HONORING Robert Chaloner upon the occasion of his
designation as Person of the Year by The Southampton
Press Eastern Edition

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Robert Chaloner upon the occasion of his designation as Person of the
Year by The Southampton Press Eastern Edition; and

WHEREAS, The unity of our State and Nation is built upon the
compassion of individuals such as Robert Chaloner, Chief Administrative
Officer at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, who uphold the values of
community life and who, through their great actions, epitomize the best
of humanity; and

WHEREAS, Robert Chaloner joined Southampton Hospital in 2006, prior
to its affiliation with Stony Brook University Hospital; he grew up in
the small upstate town of Coxsackie, New York, where his father, a
doctor, and his mother, a nurse, both held key positions at nearby
Greene County Memorial Hospital in Catskill; and

WHEREAS, Before moving to Southampton, Robert Chaloner lived in New
York City with his husband, Oscar; during this time he served as the
Chief Administrator at Cabrini Medical Center on 19th Street in
Manhattan, a small hospital with the odds stacked against it, but it was
a job he loved; and

WHEREAS, As someone who spent much of his long and distinguished
career working for small, community hospitals, many of which struggled
financially for their very survival, Robert Chaloner knew it was the
people who would carry him through any crisis, including the hospital's
difficulty in recruiting staff due to the East End's high cost of
living; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Robert Chaloner has been
a vital component in the successful buildup of the Meeting House Lane
practice, as well as in the establishment of a medical residency program
which continues to generate local doctors who wanted to stay in the
community; and

WHEREAS, Robert Chaloner was also instrumental in the physical
upgrade of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital's facility and the increase
in the availability of local diagnostic services; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, under the able leadership of this
extraordinary man, Southampton's affiliation with Stony Brook University
Hospital, which began in 2008, became official with the completed merger
of the facilities in 2017; and


WHEREAS, For the past 15 years, Robert Chaloner has rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to Stony Brook Southampton
Hospital, truly earning the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Robert Chaloner over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert Chaloner upon the occasion of his designation as Person of
the Year by The Southampton Press Eastern Edition, and to wish him
continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Robert Chaloner.