LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dr. William F. Streck upon the occasion
of his retirement after 30 years of distinguished service as President
and CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network on July 1, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the medical field who distinguish
themselves through professional excellence and who have made significant
contributions to the quality of life of citizens in the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, For the past three decades, Dr. William F. Streck rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable service to the Bassett Healthcare
Network; and
WHEREAS, On July 1, 2014, Dr. William F. Streck, one of the longest
serving health system executives in New York State and the Country will
retire, capping a highly successful career as President and CEO of the
Bassett Healthcare Network and a recognized leader and innovator in
health care design, delivery and policy; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as President and CEO, Dr. William F. Streck
served with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, Over a 30 year period, Dr. William F. Streck successfully
developed what was once a single hospital in Cooperstown, New York, with
70 physicians into an integrated health care delivery system employing
over 400 providers; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, today the Bassett system serves nine counties
across 5,600 square miles, handles over 700,000 outpatient visits a
year, and employs 4,300 people; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Dr. William F. Streck, the
Bassett Healthcare Network, a major economic engine for the Region, is
recognized as one of the top 100 most integrated health systems in the
Nation and a leader in rural health care delivery; and
WHEREAS, From 1984 through 2014, Dr. William F. Streck artfully maneu-
vered Bassett's growth, strategically expanding access to community-
based primary and specialty care as well as acute care at affiliated
hospitals in upstate New York; his keen understanding of health system
strategy and health policy helped create a sustainable business model
that has evolved with the changing health care environment; and
WHEREAS, One of Dr. William F. Streck's first acts as CEO in the mid-
1980s was to organize a rural health issues conference which resulted in
the creation of the New York State Rural Health Council on which he
continues to serve; his leadership and health policy insights led to his
appointment to the New York State Hospital Review and Planning Council
in 1990; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he became a Chairman of the state's Public
Health Council in 1992, and in 2010, when the state consolidated the
Hospital Review and Planning Council with the Public Health Council to
form the Public Health and Health Planning Council (PHHPC), Dr. Streck
was chosen as its leader where he remains chairman today; and
WHEREAS, An avid volunteer and active within his community, Dr.
William F. Streck has served on the boards of Hartwick College and New
York Central Mutual Insurance; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with Bassett Healthcare Network, Dr.
William F. Streck earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his
colleagues; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife, Karen, and
their four beautiful children, Patrick, Sarah, Kate and Molly, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and

WHEREAS, As a leader in his profession, Dr. William F. Streck has
proven himself to be a great asset to medicine and to the health and
welfare of the citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by Dr. William F. Streck over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedi-
cation to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. William F. Streck upon the occasion of his retirement after 30
years of distinguished service as President and CEO of Bassett Health-
care Network; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. William F. Streck.