Community Memorial hires Bernard as VP of nursing and clinical services

HAMILTON, N.Y. — Community Memorial Hospital recently hired Heather Bernard as its new VP of nursing and clinical services following the retirement of Diane Chase.

In this position, Bernard provides mentorship and guidance to nursing leaders and assigned patient-care departments. She is responsible for enhancing clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and improving quality and patient safety, the hospital said in a release.

Bernard previously served as a regional infection-control specialist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation. Leading the regional epidemiology program response to COVID-19 across the state, she was recognized for her mitigation work with a significant COVID outbreak in a hospital, according to Community Memorial.

Prior to the CDC Foundation, Bernard worked for the Mohawk Valley Health System as director of infection prevention.

The longtime Hamilton resident began her nursing career 25 years ago at Community Memorial Hospital (CMH).

“I’m proud to be back at CMH, where my journey began, and continue its outstanding reputation for patient care,” she said in the release. “My career journey and experiences have shaped my transformational leadership style. I look forward to supporting the provision of high-quality, evidence-based healthcare to our community.”

Bernard received her associate degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College, bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and her doctorate degree in nursing practice – population-based infection prevention and environmental safety from Loyola University Chicago, per her LinkedIn profile.

As a Crouse Health partner organization, Community Memorial Hospital serves Madison County along with parts of Chenango, Oneida, and Onondaga counties. It provides preventive, primary, behavioral, and acute-care services.