Senate Resolution No. 5053

BY: Senator LARKIN

HONORING Joan Cusack-McGuirk upon the occasion of
her designation as recipient of the Lifetime
Achievement Award by Boy Scouts of America, Hudson
Valley Council

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joan Cusack-McGuirk upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Lifetime Achievement Award by Boy Scouts of America, Hudson Valley
Council, to be celebrated at its Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner on
Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at West Hills Country Club, Middletown, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk, a longtime resident of the community,
has more than 40 years of experience in the healthcare industry, serving
more than 30 years at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital (SLCH); and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary woman was instrumental in finalizing the
partnership between SLCH and the Montefiore Health System (MHS) in 2016;
since that time, she has worked tirelessly 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; and

WHEREAS, Earlier in her role as Senior Vice President and Chief
Nursing Officer, Joan Cusack-McGuirk was responsible for the successful
integration of two divergent patient care cultures into a singular care
model; and

WHEREAS, Joan 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; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Joan Cusack-McGuirk, SLCH
has earned numerous awards and accreditations some of which include:
Comprehensive Center for Metabolic Surgery Accreditation and Quality
Improvement Program by the American College of Surgeons; The Gold Plus
Award from the American Heart Association's "Get with the Guidelines"
for Stroke for eight consecutive years; 2018 Clinical Excellence Award
in General Surgery; 2017 Pioneers in Quality TM Expert Contributor; and
Hospitals and Health Network's 2017 Most Wired Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, SLCH is designated as a Blue Distinction
Center for Knee and Hip Replacement as well as Maternity by Empire
BlueCross BlueShield; and

WHEREAS, Joan Cusack-McGuirk graduated as an RN from St. Vincent's
Hospital and Medical Center in New York City, before receiving her
Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from SUNY New Paltz; she went on
to earn a master's degree at New York University, and is a graduate of
the University of Pennsylvania Wharton's School Fellow Program; and

WHEREAS, An active member of the community, Joan Cusack-McGuirk
gives of her time and energies to countless local, regional and state
organizations including the Healthcare Association of New York State,
Greater New York Hospital Association, Northern Metropolitan Hospital
Association, Patterns for Progress, Orange County Chamber, Orange County
Citizen's Foundation, New York Organization of Nurse Executives &
Leaders, SUNY Orange Bridges Program, Newburgh Armory and Rotary Club of
Greater Newburgh; and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, John, and their
seven children, as well as 10 grandchildren, who have all shown her love
and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly
recognize those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to
the success and progress of society in the course of their life's work;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for Joan Cusack-McGuirk, and to wish
her continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joan Cusack-McGuirk upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Boy Scouts of America,
Hudson Valley Council; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joan Cusack-McGuirk.