LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lisa M. Betrus upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the 2014 Visionary Individual of the Year
Award by the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lisa
M. Betrus upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the 2014
Visionary Individual of the Year Award by the Herkimer County Chamber of
Commerce, to be celebrated on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Francesca's
in Ilion, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 1995, Lisa M. Betrus has been the CEO/administrator of
Valley Health Services, Inc. (VHS), a 160 bed long-term care and reha-
bilitation facility located in Herkimer, New York; and
WHEREAS, A life-long proponent of long-term care, Lisa M. Betrus began
her career as a teenager working in the dietary department of St. Joseph
Nursing Home in Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, Lisa M. Betrus completed a bachelor of science in health
services administration at Ithaca College and a master's degree in busi-
ness administration at Sage Graduate School in Troy, New York; further-
more, she is a licensed nursing home administrator; and
WHEREAS, One of Lisa M. Betrus' more prominent achievements was the
establishment of a palliative care center at VHS, a program designed to
serve as a model for many rural communities dealing with the needs of
the seriously ill; it was awarded the Outstanding Rural Health Program
award in 2004 by the New York State Association for Rural Health; and
WHEREAS, Lisa M. Betrus has most recently led VHS and her staff in
receiving a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
(CMS) and a top nursing home national ranking from US News & World
Report; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable administrator is also leading the expansion
of services offered by VHS to include Herkimer's first assisted living
facility, which is currently under construction and slated to open in
August of 2014; and
WHEREAS, Lisa M. Betrus has received numerous awards and accolades for
her community service, including the Central New York Women in Business
Award, the Ithaca College Outstanding Young Alumni Award and an Accent
on Excellence Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, this esteemed woman was named a Little Falls WCA
Woman of Distinction in 2011 for her establishment of an adult day
health care program in the City of Little Falls; she also earned the
Thomas Clark Memorial Award for leadership from Leading Age New York in
2012, and the Genesis Group award for Outstanding Healthcare Leadership
in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Lisa M. Betrus has been called upon to contribute her time
and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always
given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, A member of numerous civic and professional organizations,
Lisa M. Betrus serves on the boards of the Community Care Alliance, the
Central New York Community Arts Council, At Home Care, and Excellus
BlueCross Blue Shield, Utica Region; she regularly serves as a guest
lecturer at Ithaca College discussing topics related to health adminis-
tration and aging services; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when an indi-
vidual of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our atten-
tion, she should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lisa M. Betrus upon the occasion of her designation as recipient
of the 2014 Visionary Individual of the Year Award by the Herkimer Coun-
ty Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lisa M. Betrus.