Three New Trustees Join St. Mary’s Healthcare Board
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2024—St. Mary’s Healthcare has named three new members—Nancy Baghaei-Rad, Ph.D., Joel Bien-Aime and Richard Vertucci—to the hospital’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Baghaei-Rad, of Amsterdam, has been an educator for nearly 40 years, including 16 in teaching, administrative and leadership roles in the Greater Amsterdam School District. Currently, she is principal of William Barkley Elementary School. Dr. Baghaei-Rad earned a doctoral degree in education from Northcentral University in Arizona (now National University) and master’s degrees from the College of St. Rose in Albany and Lesley College in Massachusetts. She is president of the Mental Health Association in Fulton and Montgomery Counties and a member of professional organizations including Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society for Education; the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children. Honors include the Mental Health Association Ruth S. Voorhees Appreciation Award, Zonta Yellow Rose Award, and the Friend of Education Award from the School Administrators Association of New York State.
Bien-Aime, of Johnstown, heads New Process Cleaners, which his family has owned since 1996. Previously, he worked in human services at the ARC Lexington, Saratoga ARC (now Saratoga Bridges) and the state Office of Children and Family Services. Bien-Aime earned an associate degree in business administration from Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC), where he was instrumental in founding the club now known as the Black and Latino Student Association. In 2022, in recognition of his accomplishments within and beyond FMCC, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus. Bien-Aime is a member of several dry-cleaning organizations, the Amsterdam Rotary Club and the Johnstown Lions Club.
Vertucci, of Amsterdam, is a lifelong resident of the city, owns two local businesses—Rick’s Robo Car Wash and Gabriel Sealcoating—and has a record of community service. He recently received the 2024 Fr. Joseph F. Girzone Crystal Pillar of the Community Award from the Montgomery County Office for Aging for his commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the county’s older citizens. Vertucci is a longtime member of the Amsterdam Rotary Club and a recipient of its Citizen of the Year Award. A past vice president of the Foundation of St. Mary’s Healthcare, he volunteers with Leatherstocking Honor Flight and is founder and president of the Mohawk Valley Sharp Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Vertucci also holds annual fundraisers to benefit many area nonprofits and community organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, with majors in magazine journalism, political science and American history.
“Nancy, Joel and Rick bring invaluable skills, experiences, and perspectives to the board,” St. Mary’s President and CEO Jeff Methven said. “Equally important, they share our belief in the vital role of independent community hospitals and our commitment to continue to grow St. Mary’s and secure its position as the first choice for healthcare in our region.”
The new members join board Chairperson Michael Pepe, Montgomery County legislator and retired bank executive; Vice Chairperson Benjamin Ziskin, retired NBT Bank executive; Treasurer Thomas Cichy, retired CPA and partner, Lutz, Selig & Zeronda; Secretary Mohammad R. Ghazi, MD, St. Mary’s urologist; Rev. O. Robert DeMartina, Albany Catholic Diocese; Emily Etzkorn, MD, private internal medicine and pediatrics practice; Andrew Heck, president, Alpin Haus; Mary Anne Heenan, CSJ, province director, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet; Ronald Marsh, MD, St. Mary’s Healthcare, general surgeon; Methven; Jason Packer, former CEO, Hill and Markes; David Santos, vice president, D.A. Collins Construction; and emeritus member Susan L. Davis, Ed.D, RN, FACHE.
***
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