ROME, N.Y. — Kristen Hutchins is the new director of Rome Health Primary Care, providing leadership and support for all the hospital’s affiliated primary-care practices.
The Boonville native has more than 20 years of experience in primary care and has served as director of the hospital’s primary care clinics in Rome, Boonville, and Camden for the past five years. As director of primary care, she also assumed responsibility for Rome Medical Group including pediatrics.
“Kristen has extensive experience in unifying teams to deliver high quality, patient-centered care,” Dr. Michael Attilio, VP of physician practices, said in a news release. “She fosters conversations with providers and staff to refine workflows to expand access and deliver the best outcomes.”
Attilio said Hutchins was in instrumental member of the planning team for the new Rome Health Medical Center under construction on the hospital’s main campus. The new facility brings together primary care, surgical specialists, diagnostic testing, and pharmacy under one roof. Once construction wraps up this fall, Delta Health Center will relocate there followed by Rome Medical Group and Rome Health Surgical Specialists in January 2023. Pediatrics will remain at Rome Medical Group at 1801 Black River Boulevard.
“For patients, the new medical center will provide a welcoming environment that is easily accessible with the convenience of a pharmacy and testing on site,” Hutchins said. “Our teams are looking forward to working together in a collaborative environment where we can deliver the best care for our patients.”
Hutchins studied medical administration at Mohawk Valley Community College and gained first-hand experience in primary care operations when she joined Rome Medical Group in 2002 as a receptionist, also working in referrals and switchboard before becoming a team lead. In 2012, Rome Health promoted her to practice manager of Delta Medical Center, and she assumed responsibility for Camden Family Care and Boonville Family Care in 2017. Under her leadership, the practices achieved Patient Centered Medical Home accreditation for their commitment to a patient-centered approach to care.
The nonprofit Rome Health is a comprehensive health-care system. It is an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse and an affiliated clinical site of New York Medical College.