Mohawk Valley Health System

Patricia Roach has been named senior vice president/chief nursing officer for the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). She will oversee nursing services for MVHS, which includes Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). She will also oversee the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and the Performance Excellence and Education Departments. Roach received her associate degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College and her bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNYIT Utica/Rome in Marcy. She completed the Management Fellowship for Nurse Executives at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and completed her post-master’s advanced certificate for family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Varinya Sheppard has been appointed president of the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing. She is a graduate of the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Utica and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. Kathy Ward has been named director of nursing operations for MVHS. She received her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, her bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Cortland, and a master’s degree in health care administration from Canyon College in Carmichael, Calif. Ward also received a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. Nancy Traxel has been appointed nursing education department manager for MVHS. She will oversee clinical education at SEMC. Traxel received her diploma from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. Colette Wilk has been named director of clinical education for MVHS. She will oversee the Keith A. Fenstemacher Center for Continuous Learning at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare. Wilk received her associate degree in accounting from MVCC, her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome, and her master’s degree in nursing education from Canyon College. Angela Belmont has been appointed assistant vice president of nursing for MVHS. Belmont will oversee EMS, emergency, trauma, and psychiatric services for the system as well as the stroke program. She received her associate degree in nursing from MVCC and a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. Belmont also completed the American College of Healthcare Executives Program. Rita Popeo has been named assistant vice president of nursing for MVHS. She will oversee medical-surgical, pediatrics, and bariatric services for the system as well as the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Popeo received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and her master’s degree in nursing administration from Syracuse University. She also completed the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Financial Management Program for Nurses and Directors in Philadelphia. Lissette Grimaldi has been appointed assistant vice president of nursing for MVHS. She will oversee cardiac and critical-care services for the system. She received her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb. Grimaldi is currently working toward her master’s degree in health care administration at Bellevue University. Heidi Coluzza has been named director of nursing for MVHS. She will oversee maternity and diabetes services for the system as well as wound care and the vascular access team. Coluzza received her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. She has been board certified in medical-surgical nursing since 2004. Tom Norton has been appointed director of the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute and of cardiology services for MVHS. He received his bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s degree in management with a concentration in health care administration from Wilmington University in New Castle, Del. Barbara Kantor has been named director of nursing for MVHS. She will oversee perioperative services for the system. Kantor received her associate degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in health care administration at Utica College. Charles Williamshas been appointed director of perioperative operations for MVHS. He received his associate degree in health care administration and his bachelor’s degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix in Arizona. Williams is currently working toward his master’s degree in health administration through the University of Phoenix.