The New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH) is pleased to announce that Mary Zelazny, CEO of Finger Lakes Community Health, has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Senator Patricia McGee Award. Ms. Zelazny has focused her career on improving access to healthcare for people who live in rural communities, especially migrant workers and families with limited resources. She was a pioneer in telehealth and teledentistry well before the pandemic and has continued to innovate creative remote access opportunities for patients with limited transportation. She is committed to an evolving understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in healthcare.
Ms. Zelazny is a strong advocate for Rural Communities on both the State and National levels.
“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled to accept the Senator Patricia McGee Rural Health Award from the NYS Association for Rural Health. I accept this award on behalf of so many healthcare workers, community-based organizations, and others, who work daily to bridge the gap in rural healthcare. It is their passion, resilience, and perseverance that truly deserve recognition. We still have a lot of work ahead of us. We must continue to advocate for policies that prioritize healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and innovative solutions that address the unique needs of rural communities. Together we can create a healthcare system where no one is left behind,” said Mary Zelazny, CEO of Finger Lakes Community Health.
Ms. Zelazny is a past board member of NYSARH and a current board member of the National Association of Community Health Centers and the Community Health Care Association of NY. She also works with many other organizations advocating for rural health. She was nominated by Michael Pease, CEO of The Chautauqua Center.
The virtual Rural Health Awards celebration was on Thursday, November 16th at 10 AM.
