Longtime Board of Trustees Chair honored after 15 years of service to the hospital
In recognition of 15 years of service to Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) and its community, RUMC and its Board of Trustees announced the entire hospital campus has been renamed to honor, longtime former Chair Kathryn K. Rooney, Esq. Rooney retired from the board earlier this year and served as its chair since 2007.
“It’s been my privilege to lead this incredible RUMC team for 15 years,” Rooney said. “With hustle, professionalism, and sheer determination, we kept the hospital open, stabilized its finances, opened new programs, recruited first-rate doctors, and now are finishing a major modernization of our facilities. What we’ve done together is really remarkable and I couldn’t be prouder of this team. Having the new campus named for me is a huge honor.”
Born and raised on Staten Island, Rooney served as Special Counsel to late New York State Senator John Marchi for over 30 years. In that capacity, she worked closely with city, state and federal officials as well as scores of Staten Island non-profits. She has served on the Board of The Staten Island Foundation since June 2007 and is currently Chair of the Board. She is also on the Boards of ArchCare and Carmel Richmond Nursing Home. Rooney has also previously served as chairperson of Pax Christ Hospice and the Staten Island CYO. She was also a board member of Sisters of Charity Housing, St. Joseph Hill Academy, and the SI Zoological Society.
“Under Kate’s leadership RUMC, the successor to St. Vincent’s Hospital-Staten Island, has thrived going from almost closing its doors to undergoing a complete transformation that has seen the hospital grow its service lines and expand its outpatient services,” RUMC President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “Kate was also instrumental in securing financial support and backing for the $250 million in capital improvements and upgrades currently underway at our hospital.”
The “crown jewel” of these projects, a new state of the art, 35,000 sq. ft. emergency department was unveiled to the public on October 25 and will soon begin receiving patients. RUMC is an American College of Surgeons (ACS) and New York State Department of Health designated Level I Adult Trauma and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. This designation means RUMC has trained medical staff, nurses, equipment, and protocols in place to treat all adult and pediatric patients in need of emergency care.
“Like the ground beneath our feet that supports our journey, Kate Rooney supported RUMC with an unwavering commitment to bring improved healthcare to her community,” Ronald A. Purpora, the current chair of RUMC’s board, said. “That’s why it’s so appropriate to name our grounds in her honor.”
Surrounded by family, friends, trustees and staff from RUMC, the first sign bearing Rooney’s name was unveiled at the intersection of Castleton Avenue and Kissel Avenue in late October, just feet from the entrance to the hospital’s new emergency department, named in honor of her fellow trustee, former Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro. Additional signage will soon be completed around the campus with her name and the hospital is also dedicating its largest boardroom in Rooney’s honor. Although she officially retired from RUMC’s board in June of this year, the Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Rooney as Chair Emeritus, the first in the hospital’s nearly 120 years of existence.
Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
