Joan Cusack-McGuirk

Joan Cusack-McGuirk has 45 years of experience in the healthcare industry, serving more than 40 years at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH). She was instrumental in finalizing the partnership between SLCH and the Montefiore Health System (MHS) which was announced in 2016. Since that time, Ms. Cusack-McGuirk has worked to integrate SLCH into the MHS, which is a robust academic health system and a national leader in transforming health care to improve access, quality, and experience of care.

As Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, she was responsible for the successful integration of two divergent patient care cultures into a singular care model. Ms. Cusack-McGuirk was promoted to Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and soon after was appointed to permanent President and Chief Executive Officer of SLCH, which was renamed Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall (MSLC) in 2019. Most recently, she led her community hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic that she describes as the proudest moment in her career. In her words, she witnessed "bravery, heroism and true dedication across the entire organization."

Under Ms. Cusack-McGuirk’s leadership, MSLC has earned numerous awards and accreditations including: The Gold Plus Award from the American Heart Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” for stroke for 12 years in a row; American Heart Association’s Mission Gold Award; Pulmonary Rehab Certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab; verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee since 2015; and accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. In addition, MSLC has achieved designation as a Magnet organization, the most elite recognition that a hospital can receive for nursing excellence.

Ms. Cusack-McGuirk graduated as an RN from St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SUNY New Paltz, earned her graduate degree at New York University, and is a graduate of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania's Business Fellows Program.

Ms. Cusack-McGuirk is an active member of the community, participating in numerous local, regional and State organizations, including: Healthcare Association of New York State, Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association, Greater New York Hospital Association, New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, Patterns for Progress, Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Vision Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Nora Cronin Academy, Newburgh Armory, and Rotary Club of Greater Newburgh.

Between Ms. Cusack-McGuirk and her beloved late husband, John, they have seven children and eleven grandchildren. Her family is the highlight of her life; all the rest is icing on the cake.