This story was published by Stan Hudy of the Daily Gazette. 

Jillian DeGiulio, a Greater Amsterdam School District graduate and current Broadalbin resident, is interested in helping other people.

A role in human resources, she says, found her. In early December, she was appointed as director of benefits and employee relations at St. Mary’s Healthcare, right in her hometown.

The Daily Gazette sat down with DeGiulio, 36, recently to discuss her journey to this point and get to know a little more about her.

Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and space.

Question: How did you find yourself in a role in human resources?

Answer: In college, I had no idea what I wanted to do, but I loved psychology, sociology and statistics. After getting my bachelor’s degree, I was a recruiter for a small staffing agency. Working very closely with ownership, I learned the ins and outs of running a business, human resources fundamentals and the big impact a bad hire can have on an organization. From there, I decided to pursue a certificate in Human Resources Management to determine if that was the path for me. I quickly discovered how imperative HR is to an organization and how impactful people operations are to the bottom line. I was sold.

As I gained more experience in different areas of HR, I moved into a management role in 2016. I learned how to develop and implement programs, processes, and procedures and how to resolve conflict. I love it because you never stop learning in this field and are always presented with anew situation, problem or opportunity.

Q: Did you think you would have a career in human resources?
A: In college, I didn’t know what career I would have; I had no idea. I liked psychology, I like people, I like statistics and random things. I said, ‘I will study these subjects and see where they take me.’ It did prepare me for my career.

Q: What path did you take to start your new career with St. Mary’s Healthcare?
A: I grew up in Amsterdam, and my sister has worked here at St. Mary’s for many years. I worked for Hill & Markes for over eight years and loved my work there. In 2022, we were acquired, and things were becoming more like a large corporation. I liked working for a family-owned, community-based organization.
I loved everything that I did during my time there. Still, when an opportunity at St. Mary’s became available, I was interested because it’s part of this community where I grew up, where my children and my family live.

Q: You were in a key human resources position during the COVID-19 pandemic. How challenging was that for you?
A: The entire pandemic changed our jobs, a lot of stuff got thrown on HR — tracking [and]reporting — something we never had to deal with before. After that, we saw cultures completely change, including the desire to work from home. People want to be at home more, which is great, and they want to spend more time with their families.
I think there were more employee relations issues and more accommodation requests — all that had to be managed.

Q: Of all the policies within a corporation, the pandemic wasn’t one of the tabs in your HR manual. How did you manage that?
A: Everything had to be created. The Department of Health and CDC all tried. They did great with getting sample policies out there and that sort of thing. But they don’t work in organizations like we do. We had to create our own policies.

Q: In your bio, you mentioned being a cheerleader in college. Does that surprise people?
A: That’s kind of a mix. People that I meet that don’t know me, they’re shocked. They say, ‘You were a cheerleader?’
At my previous employer, we hosted a lot of events, went to many events where my personal side of me came out, and then they were like, ‘Oh, yeah, I can see it.’

Q: You have two young boys, ages 4 and 1. What is it like to be a ‘Boy Mom?’
A: I love being a ‘boy mom.’ I always thought that I wanted to be a ‘girl mom.’ My husband and I struggled to get pregnant, so by Year 3, it wasn’t ‘I want a girl,’ it was ‘I just want a baby.’ They’re wild, just so wild. They keep me on my toes.

Q: You mentioned that you like hiking and being outdoors. Was that always the case?
A: I did not enjoy the outdoors until I met my husband, James. I went to SUNY Albany, spent sometime in Long Island, and liked the busy city life.
Now that I have grown up and have a family, I’m starting to enjoy those things because that’s what’s important to me now. I’ve changed a lot, I guess you could say, since becoming a mom and becoming more of a career and family-oriented person.

I know I’ll be here forever, and I want to be here forever. You have to take advantage of what we have in the area, which is the stuff that I took for granted as a young adult. Now I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, the Adirondacks are so beautiful.’ As a younger person, there are so many great things to doin this area. I was like, ‘Oh, I want to get out of here.’ But now I’m like, ‘I love it here. Why would I ever want to leave?’

Q: To close out our conversation, how about some fun, rapid-fi re questions? To start, what are you streaming and binge-watching right now?
A: My husband and I haven’t gotten into a series or anything since my maternity leave. Since I’ve been back to work, it’s Pete the Cat [Amazon] and Lucas the Spider [YouTube].

Q: What was the first concert you went to? And the latest?
A: Kansas, I was in fifth grade in the 90s. My most recent was Hanson, I saw them in Albany.

Q: What is your favorite wintertime beverage?
A: I don’t drink coffee, I don’t drink tea, so it’s hot chocolate.

Q: What is your favorite to-go or take-out food or cuisine?
A: Pizza with pepperoni. I love Pizza Supreme in Broadalbin. That is my spot — so good.

Q: Name a person, living or dead, you want to have dinner with.
A: Taylor Swift. First of all, she’s so intelligent. She’s a billionaire now, but seems just down to Earth and fun. I think we’d have a good time and I could learn a lot from her.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 22, 2024—Jason Lambert has been named director of rehabilitation services at St. Mary’s Healthcare. He oversees the hospital’s comprehensive rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as cardiac rehabilitation.

Lambert has more than two decades of experience as a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation programs. He comes to St. Mary’s from Saratoga Hospital, where he was a clinical rehabilitation specialist and clinic manager. Previously Lambert served as director of rehabilitation at Country Hills Healthcare Center in El Cajon, California, and at Golden Hill Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in San Diego.

“Like communities nationwide, our region is seeing increased demand for rehabilitation services,” St. Mary’s President and CEO Jeff Methven said. “Jason has the interpersonal skills and the clinical and administrative expertise to help St. Mary’s continue to grow our rehabilitation program to improve local access to this essential care.”

Lambert has doctoral and master’s degrees in physical therapy, both from Stony Brook University, the State University of New York.

St. Mary’s offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Acute inpatient rehabilitation is provided at the Memorial Health Center, and cardiac rehabilitation is available on the hospital’s Guy Park Avenue campus. Physical, occupational and speech therapy, along with other outpatient rehabilitation services, are offered at Mohawk Valley Medical Arts. For an appointment, call (518) 841-3406.

Dr. Hannah Yoon, radiation oncologist, has joined the cancer care team at St. Mary’s Healthcare. She brings more than a decade of experience at cancer programs throughout the Northeast, most recently at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Williamsport in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Yoon also has a prior connection to St. Mary’s. For a brief period in 2022, she filled in as a radiation oncologist in the hospital’s Tesiero Cancer Center and realized “I am a community physician at heart. I chose to join St. Mary’s for the friendly community atmosphere and the dedication and excellence of the staff and providers,” she said.

“Like so many of our patients and providers, once Dr. Yoon experienced our culture and commitment, she decided to come home to St. Mary’s—and we are thrilled,” said Jeff Methven, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “With her combination of training, exceptional clinical skills and personalized approach to patient care, Dr. Yoon is a wonderful addition to our team.”

A graduate of Yale University, Dr. Yoon earned her medical degree from Cornell University and a Certificate of Professional Achievement in narrative medicine from Columbia University. She went on to complete a transitional internship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and a residency in radiation oncology at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago.

Dr. Yoon is board certified in radiation oncology and a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Korean.

She sees patients in the Tesiero Cancer Center at St. Mary’s Rao Outpatient Pavilion. For an appointment, call 518-770-7557.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

What a difference a year can make!

Last year at this time, I’d just been named president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. It was a dream come true—an opportunity to lead an independent, locally based hospital whose overriding commitment is to provide high-quality personalized care close to home. I learned a great deal my first year, including that I am surrounded by talented people who are devoted to St. Mary’s Healthcare and invested in our success.

In 2023, St. Mary’s saw:

• More people expressing appreciation for the care they receive.
• More applicants wanting to join the St. Mary’s team.
• More patients coming to the hospital, indicating that those who’d been leaving the region for medical care are starting to return home to St. Mary’s.

These early results confirm my belief that when people work together, it’s amazing what we can accomplish.

I am aware that we still have much work to do. Like hospitals all over the country, St. Mary’s faces significant financial challenges. Furthermore, as a community hospital, we bear an additional
responsibility. We must strengthen St. Mary’s financial position now to ensure that our community continues to have a local hospital for years to come.

Given our exceptional St. Mary’s team and the outpouring of support from our community, I am optimistic about the year ahead. I’m confident more people will turn to St. Mary’s and, because
of their care experience, will make us their hospital of choice—especially since we’ll be expanding and enhancing services.

We have exciting plans for orthopedics, cancer care, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and advanced medical imaging. Although finances are tight, these plans will help us grow our way out of some
of the tight spots. We’ll also be smarter and more strategic in other areas, and we’ll continue to collaborate with organizations that share our values and commitment to excellent healthcare.

We hear a lot about today’s challenging healthcare environment—and with good reason. Even so, healthcare remains one of the only fields where we get to make a difference every day in the lives
of others. It’s a privilege to do the work we do, and we do not take that for granted.

Thank you for trusting St. Mary’s to take care of you and your loved ones. It’s a trust we will continue to work hard to earn and to keep.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Methven, President and CEO

A year ago, St. Mary’s Healthcare announced the appointment of President and CEO Jeff Methven and our determination to build on St. Mary’s strengths, improve our financial position and, most of all, ensure that our region continues to have access to quality healthcare from a local, independent community hospital.

Thanks to strong leadership by Jeff and our Board of Trustees—and the talented, dedicated St. Mary’s team—in 2023 we made great strides toward achieving these goals. Equally important, many in our community recognized these strides and came home to St. Mary’s instead of leaving the region for medical care.

Following are some of our accomplishments this past year:

Brought more of the care our community needs, closer to home

• Added more than a dozen providers in specialties including general surgery, primary care, outpatient behavioral health, inpatient mental health, and medical and radiation oncology.
• Welcomed Amsterdam Family Practice to St. Mary’s Healthcare and our medical group.
• Re-established inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services as a St. Mary’s service line.
• Reintroduced CT scanning at the Rao Pavilion.
• Re-opened beds to expand access to inpatient mental health care.

Strengthened our commitment to excellence

•  Earned National Committee for Quality Assurance status for 5 primary care centers.
• Received Blue Distinction Center recognition for expertise in maternity care.
• Achieved Joint Commission re-accreditation for an additional three years.
• Recognized for 100 years of membership with American Hospital Association.

Made investments for future strength and growth

• Purchased equipment to enhance imaging services, maternity and infant care, medication management, patient monitoring, ambulance communication, patient transport, and more.
• Completed exterior upgrades, including to the helipad and Guy Park Avenue campus.
• Enjoyed unprecedented recruiting success thanks, in part, to expanded outreach:
  • Filled key positions with outstanding professionals, including 85 former employees who chose to “come home” to St. Mary’s.
  • Welcomed 18 graduate nurses from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, 7 agency nurses who chose to join us as permanent team members, and 5 laboratory scientists who will be arriving from the Philippines soon.
  • Helped prepare future healthcare providers through our internship partnership with Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES.
  • Participated in 60+ career fairs. Hosted multiple Walk-In Wednesday and Nurses Night Out recruitment events.
• Enhanced associate advancement opportunities through Work/Earn/Learn, clinical ladder achievements, and other programs.
• Celebrated associate accomplishments and contributions
• Increased employee engagement through appreciation events and enhanced communications.

Re-energized essential community partnerships

• Benefited enormously from the generosity of our amazing Auxiliary. One of our staunchest supporters, the Auxiliary made a gift of $50,000 and held its 17th annual Christmas in November fundraiser for St. Mary’s.
• Brought our annual Foundation Gala home to Amsterdam’s Sanford Stud Farm and held our Memorial Golf Classic at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.
• Awarded Carondelet Community Fund Grants to local programs and agencies.
• Joined community service efforts: Earth Day clean-up, Project Bundle Up, Amsterdam Baby Shower, Montgomery County Office for Aging Senior Picnic, and many more.
• Expanded our affiliate agreements with educational institutions, including WSWHE (Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex) BOCES, Siena College, Hartwick College, and Utica University.
• Increased our involvement with a wide range of organizations, from Fulton-Montgomery Community College and Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES to Amsterdam Rotary Club, Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Montgomery County Office for Aging, to the Amsterdam Mohawks.

2023 was just the beginning. With the continued support of our community, St. Mary’s looks forward to even more success in 2024 and beyond.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2024—St. Mary’s Healthcare has once again been named a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

The Distinction Center designation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate their commitment to best practices and rigorous national standards for high-quality, effective maternity care.

 

“Our Blue Distinction recognition gives families yet another reason to choose St. Mary’s to deliver their baby,” said Julia Shafer, director of women and family services. “This official, objective mark of quality confirms what so many in our community have learned firsthand—that St. Mary’s provides exceptional, patient-centered maternity care.

“For first-time parents or those who are new to St. Mary’s,” she added, “Blue Distinction also offers an additional level of assurance that mom and baby will be in great hands.”

In fact, the latest data shows that Blue Distinction maternity facilities perform better than non-Blue Distinction Centers on key measures of quality. On average, Blue Distinction Centers report 26% fewer episiotomies, 60% fewer elective deliveries and 17% fewer cesarean births—all of which point to healthier outcomes for patients.

“Congratulations to the team at St. Mary’s Healthcare on achieving this important quality recognition,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. “The Blue Distinction designation is one more tool to help members make informed decisions about their healthcare.”

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2023—Jillian DeGiulio of Broadalbin has joined St. Mary’s Healthcare as director of benefits and employee relations.

DeGiulio has more than a decade of human resources experience. Most recently, she served as human resources manager at Hill & Markes in Amsterdam, where her responsibilities included developing and administering benefits programs and promoting an uplifting work environment.

A lifelong area resident, DeGiulio also has strong ties to the Fulton-Montgomery region.

“Along with her HR experience, Jillian brings a commitment to creating and sustaining a supportive work culture—one that values employees and, as a result, better serves our community,” said Lisa Mazzoccone, executive director of human resources and chief people officer at St. Mary’s Healthcare. “Our HR team plays a key role in supporting St. Mary’s continued growth, and Jillian is a welcome addition.”

DeGiulio earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany, State University of New York, and an advanced certificate in human resource management from Empire State University in Saratoga Springs. She also has an associate degree from Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

***

About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare system offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

 

Contact:

Kristin Mosher

Director, Marketing and Communications

St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam

(518) 770-7505

kristin.mosher@nysmha.org

Oct. 11, 2023—St. Mary’s Healthcare recently was recognized for its century of participation in the American Hospital Association and 120 years of service to the people and communities of the Fulton-Montgomery region.

American Hospital Association Regional Executive Michael Draine presented an award Oct. 4 to St. Mary’s President and CEO Jeff Methven. Draine cited the hospital’s longstanding membership and leadership in the association, as well as St. Mary’s commitment to “providing a full range of medical care that is tailored to each patient’s needs.”

Methven accepted the award on behalf of “the exceptional and dedicated associates of St. Mary’s.” He also acknowledged the American Hospital Association’s vital role in advocating for healthcare providers, working to protect access to care, and serving as a trusted source of education and information.

“AHA is an invaluable partner to St. Mary’s and thousands of other providers,” Methven said. “We appreciation the association’s support as we continue to seek new ways to improve the long-term health of our communities in an ever-changing healthcare environment.”

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Oct. 5, 2023— Dr. Choudhry Mumtaz has joined the primary care team at St. Mary’s Healthcare. He sees patients of all ages at the hospital’s Amsterdam Family Health Center in the Rao Outpatient Pavilion.

Dr. Mumtaz comes to St. Mary’s from St. Peter’s Health Partners, a member of Trinity Health. Previously, he was a family medicine physician and medical director at Crossroads Family Medicine of Mt. Vernon in Illinois. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

“Dr. Mumtaz is an excellent fit for St. Mary’s,” said Jeff Methven, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “He shares our mission and values, our dedication to caring for those who are underserved, and our commitment to meeting our community’s healthcare needs right here, close to home.”

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Mumtaz earned a medical degree from Universidad Tecnolόgica de Santiago in the Dominican Republic. He completed a residency in family medicine at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Mumtaz is accepting new patients. For an appointment, call 518-841-3770.