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The region’s
elected officials joined Senator Borrello to celebrate Jones Memorial Hospital
President/CEO Eva Benedict as a New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction.”
From left to right: Assemblyman Joe Giglio; President/CEO of Strong Memorial
and Highland Hospitals, Steven Goldstein; Congressman Tom Reed; Eva Benedict;
Senator Borrello; Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler; Jones Memorial Board Chairman
Richard Ewell.
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WELLSVILLE, NY
– Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, UR Medicine –
Jones Memorial Hospital President and CEO Eva Benedict was honored Friday by
Senator George M. Borrello as a 2020 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction for her extraordinary achievements and
dedication to preserving health-care quality and access for the community
Dignitaries,
including Congressman Tom Reed, and community and health-care leaders, gathered
Friday at Wellsville Country Club to recognize Ms. Benedict for her
achievements and contributions to the community.
“Eva Benedict
has devoted nearly 40 years to the field of health care and Jones Memorial
Hospital, starting as an ICU nurse where she cared for the most critically ill.
Constantly learning and building on her experience, she rose through clinical
and leadership positions that expanded the depth and scope of her
contributions, culminating with her appointment as Jones Memorial President and
CEO in 2007,” Senator Borrello said. “Along the way, she established herself as
one of the most accomplished health-care professionals in Western New York and
a determined advocate for rural and community hospitals. She is a leader in the
very best sense of the word and I am very proud to honor her as this year’s
‘Woman of Distinction.’”
Ms. Benedict said the honor belongs to her team
at Jones Memorial, not just herself. “This recognition is such an honor and one
that I have to share with my team at Jones Memorial,” she said. “Early in my
nursing career I realized the impact teamwork has on patient care. From the
patient bedside to the administrative suite, we all have the same goal:
Providing the highest quality care to our community. Thank you all for making
this award possible.”
Congressman
Tom Reed of New York’s 23rd Congressional District cited Ms. Benedict’s deep
commitments to the hospital and the community as her defining strengths. “It's
clear Eva Benedict’s hard work, professionalism, and advocacy for rural
hospitals has left its mark on the community,” said Congressman Reed. “Patients
across the area are better off because of Eva’s efforts and deep commitment to
Jones Memorial Hospital. This is the kind of leadership that defines Wellsville
and makes me so proud to represent our district. We’re going to keep
celebrating individuals like Eva as a prime example of what's possible when you
work together, prioritize high quality care, and pour your heart into
addressing the needs of a community. Congratulations Eva.”
Richard Ewell,
Chairman of the Jones Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, credited Ms.
Benedict’s leadership and focus on sound business practices with guiding the
hospital’s success. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Jones Memorial
Hospital, we could not be more pleased that Eva is receiving this well-deserved
award,” Mr. Ewell said. “As a hands-on board, we have seen Eva consistently use
her experience, strong leadership skills, work ethic and good business sense to
accomplish the hospital’s critical goal of caring for the community.”
Steven I.
Goldstein is Senior Vice President of the University of Rochester (UR) Medical
Center and oversees UR Medicine regional hospitals. He also serves as President
and CEO of Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals in Rochester. Mr. Goldstein
said Benedict’s commitment to excellence makes her a great health-care
executive and patient advocate. “She is a recognized expert on rural health
care, and her insights have been instrumental in helping Jones Memorial
Hospital provide outstanding high quality services for the Wellsville
community. I am delighted to see her receive this well-deserved recognition,”
he said.
Assemblyman
Joseph Giglio of New York’s 148th Assembly District said Ms. Benedict’s
advocacy for rural health care has benefitted not only Jones Memorial Hospital,
but hospitals and health-care facilities across the region. “I am pleased that
Eva Benedict is this year’s New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” Award
recipient,” he said. “This is a well-deserved honor. Eva has shown exemplary
leadership in the community and the hospital for decades. I am thrilled to add
my congratulations on this momentous occasion.”
“Eva
Benedict’s ongoing dedication to providing and improving health care and
wellness in our area is a Wellsville asset we enjoy every day. Wellsville appreciates Eva Benedict and we
congratulate her on this well-deserved honor," said Wellsville Mayor Randy
Shayler. Mayor Shayler declared Friday, August 14, 2020 as Eva Benedict Day in
the Village of Wellsville.
Senator
Borrello said the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic brought into sharp
relief the importance of rural health care. “We all have a heightened
appreciation for the dedication of our health care professionals. Whether they
be doctors and nurses or hospital CEOs like Eva, they all work together to sustain
and advance the most vital of society’s services – providing quality health
care to our citizens and saving lives,” Senator Borrello said. “Eva’s
leadership shows she recognizes and supports this truth by emphasizing a
team-oriented approach and ‘people first’ culture within the hospital. As a
result, Jones Memorial is strong and moving forward, even as the larger
environment for rural hospitals remains challenging. Her example truly deserves
to be recognized and celebrated.”
Established in
1997, the New York State Senate Woman of Distinction award is hosted annually
to pay tribute to women who have demonstrated remarkable character, initiative
and commitment in serving their neighbors, strengthening our communities, and
acting as role models.
Ms. Benedict
started her career at Jones Memorial Hospital as a Critical Care Staff Nurse in
1981. In the decades that followed, her accomplishments and dedication
propelled her upward through the ranks of the hospital’s administration and
management, culminating with her appointment as President and CEO in 2007. Her
tenure has provided visionary leadership for Jones Memorial at a pivotal time
for small, community hospitals. She helped the hospital evolve in conjunction
with larger changes occurring in health care.
In 2015, she
led an evaluation of potential partners, culminating in Jones Memorial’s
affiliation with the University of Rochester Medical Center. She continues to
serve both Jones Memorial and the University as an active member of the
affiliate leadership team.
In her
leadership role, Ms. Benedict has made a priority of educating elected leaders
about the unique role of rural community hospitals. In 2018, she was honored
for that advocacy with AHA’s Grassroots Champion Award. The award recognized
her effective, persistent advocacy before the United States Congress and her
work with the New York State Congressional Delegation to advance federal
policies that enable rural and small community hospitals to deliver innovative
and patient-centered care throughout the state.
Most recently,
she helped the hospital secure a $17 million Health-care Facility
Transformation Grant, an intensive, two-year effort. The grant will help secure
Jones Memorial’s long-term viability by funding capital improvements that
support new revenue streams. Among the elements of the project are the
expansion and modernization of the surgical services suite and an initiative to
integrate behavioral health and primary care.
A native of
Bath, NY, Ms. Benedict received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the
State University at Albany and her Master of Science in Nursing Administration
from St. John Fisher College. She and her husband, Neil, live in Wellsville and
have two grown daughters and five beautiful grandchildren.
“Eva Benedict
truly represents the best of our community and is an outstanding role model for
women of all ages. She exemplifies the spirit of service at the heart of the
‘Woman of Distinction’ award and is worthy of our respect, admiration and
thanks,” said Senator Borrello.