HANYS names new COO

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) selected Richard Cook as its new chief operating officer.

“Rick is a welcome addition to our senior management team who will help guide the association in an exciting and challenging time,” HANYS President Daniel Sisto said in a release. “Rick’s combination of operational and policy experience will strengthen our internal operations and add dimension to our policy efforts as we work diligently and innovatively with our members on the ongoing and ever-changing complexity of health care.”

Cook has background in both the governmental and hospital environments. Since 2009, he served as deputy commissioner of the Department of Health’s Office of Health Systems Management. Before that, he served for 12 years as executive vice president and chief planning officer at Albany Medical Center.

Cook also held positions in the state Assembly, Assembly majority leader’s office, and Council on Health Care Financing. From 1991 to 1994, he served as the assistant/deputy secretary for health under Gov. Mario Cuomo.

Cook holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta, a master’s degree in political science from SUNY Albany, and has completed course work towards a doctorate in political science at SUNY Albany.

HANYS is a statewide hospital and continuing-care association, representing 500 nonprofit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home-care agencies, and other health-care organizations.

Contact DeLore at tdelore@tmvbj.com