Senate Resolution No. 231

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of
his retirement after 43 years of dedicated service
to the citizens of Central New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens within our midst, who have devoted
themselves to improving the health and well-being of the residents of
their communities; and

WHEREAS, It also is the sense of this Legislative Body to
acknowledge the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of
such esteemed individuals of this noble Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
deserve the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of his retirement after 43
years of dedicated service to the citizens of Central New York; and

WHEREAS, After earning his Bachelor's degree in English from Le
Moyne College in 1968, Thomas P. Quinn held various positions in public
affairs; in 1989, he furthered his education by obtaining his Master's
in Business Administration at Syracuse University; and

WHEREAS, Thomas P. Quinn entered the medical field in 1973 when he
became Director of Public Relations for Community General Hospital; over
the next 20 years, he would subsequently serve as Director of Corporate
Communications, Director of Corporate Services and Vice President of
Corporate Services for Community General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Thomas P. Quinn became the Corporate Vice
President for Planning, Marketing and Public Affairs for the Health
Alliance of Central New York, a non-profit entity that was comprised of
Crouse Hospital and Community General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2001, Thomas P. Quinn was named Chief
Operating Officer (COO) of Crouse Hospital, where he oversaw all
hospital operations, while securing reaccreditation through the Joint
Commission during the hospital's reorganization plan; and

WHEREAS, Thomas P. Quinn returned to Community General Hospital in
July of 2002, as Executive Vice President, and was instrumental in
negotiating the separation of Community General Hospital from Crouse
Hospital and the Health Alliance of CNY; and

WHEREAS, In September of 2002, Thomas P. Quinn was made President
and CEO of Community General Hospital, and the hospital was subsequently
relicensed as an independent hospital in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Thomas P. Quinn, Community
General Hospital witnessed many improvements to its service
configuration and physical space; the hospital achieved national
recognition in orthopedics and maternity services, as well as in
infection control, which was recognized through Consumer Reports and
Voluntary Hospitals of America; and

WHEREAS, After realizing that Community General Hospital needed a
partnership in order to remain viable in the region, Thomas P. Quinn was
instrumental in negotiating with University Hospital to form a new
partnership, and the affiliation process began in mid-2010; and

WHEREAS, One year later, Upstate Medical University took over the
ownership and operation of Community General Hospital; Upstate
maintained essential emergency, maternity, inpatient and outpatient
services at Community General and offered positions to 94% of the staff
who were then employed at Community General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Following this transition, Thomas P. Quinn continued to
serve as President and CEO of Community General Hospital as a
non-operating entity, until 2011, when he became Special Assistant to
the Senior Vice President for Hospital Affairs for University Hospital;
and

WHEREAS, In this role, Thomas P. Quinn has consulted on the
development of strategic initiatives for University Hospital; explored
collaborative opportunities within the Central New York region; helped
lead the project team for the $15 million cord blood bank on the
Community Campus; and helped lead Upstate's initiative to form a
Performing Provider System; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Thomas P. Quinn served on the Presidential
Search Committee, which selected Danielle Laraque-Arena MD as the
seventh President of SUNY Upstate Medical University; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated professionals, who unselfishly devote their lives to the
health and well-being of a society, are worthy of the praise of the
State of New York for their commitment and contributions; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Thomas P. Quinn upon the occasion of his retirement, after more
than 43 years of dedicated service in improving the health and
well-being of the citizens of Central New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
hereby transmitted to Thomas P. Quinn.