- By Betsye Caughey
- Business & Technology
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Ending a two-month search for leadership in its next phase of development, the Ithaca Health Alliance has selected Bethany Schroeder as the first Executive Director in the organization's history. Schroeder, who has served for the last four years as President of the IHA Board of Directors, is expected to oversee the coming expansion of the IHA's Ithaca Free Clinic into larger quarters and to address the increasingly complex administrative and funding needs of the Alliance."Of all the candidates for the position, Bethany is clearly the best qualified to lead the IHA through its next phase," said Deirdre Silverman, Vice-president of the IHA Board and a member of the search committee charged with filling the half-time position. "Her extensive health management background and deep familiarity with the workings of the Free Clinic made her the obvious choice."
Schroeder, a Public Health Nurse, holds a Master of Science in Community Nursing from San Jose State University and a Master of Fine Arts in English from Cornell. She has worked in various clinical, teaching, and administrative positions and is the author of a number of articles and books related to nursing, home care, and hospice. Prior to returning to Ithaca in 2005, she worked as Clinical Manager and Director of Patient Care Services for Sutter VNA Hospice, the largest and oldest hospice in San Francisco. Schroeder is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and a recipient of the Information Technology Award from Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society. A former Cornell Sage Fellow, she has been recognized for her volunteer work at the IHA with a Cornell Civic Leaders Fellowship (2009-2010), the Tompkins Charitable Trust Award for Excellence in Volunteer Efforts (2009), and the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services Lucy J. Brown Award (2010).
"I view this position as a great privilege and look forward to working with the staff and the Board of Directors in extending the reach of the Alliance and its several charitable projects," said Schroeder.
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