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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
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Ms. Mary-Ellen Piché
Medical Center Director
(518) 626-6731
Ms. Piché started her VA career at the Albany VA Medical Center as a Radiologic Technologist in August 1975. She went on to serve as the Quality Manager from 1986 until 1995, when she entered the Associate Director Training Program. Her next assignment was at the Lyons Campus of VA New Jersey Healthcare System as Associate Director. She returned to VISN 2 in August 2000 as Chief Operating Officer for the Medical VA Care Line and then became Network Chief Operating Officer in March 2001. In 2002 she was appointed Director of the Albany "Samuel S. Stratton" VA Medical Center.
Ms. Piché is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey and is a board certified Healthcare Quality Professional (CPHQ), as well as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).
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Douglas C. Erickson
Associate Director
(518) 626-6731
Douglas C. Erickson was appointed Associate Director of the Albany VA Medical Center in July 2004. He has been with VA Medical Center since September 1990.
After completing a Union College Health Care Administration internship at the Albany VA in September 1990, Mr. Erickson started working for VA Medical Center as a Program Analyst for the Community Mental Health Initiatives and served in progressively responsible roles including Chief of Ambulatory Care and Processing Section, Associate Chief for the General Internal Medicine/Primary Care Section, and as Risk Manager/Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Consultant for the Albany VA Medical Center. He also served as a Health Systems Specialist and the Chief Operating Officer for the Behavioral Health Division of VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York for five years prior to returning to Albany VA Medical Center.
Mr. Erickson is a graduate of Union College/Graduate Management Institute with a Masters in Business Administration in Health Systems Administration, a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the Regent's Advisory Council for the Upper Hudson/Northern New York Region.
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Lourdes Irizarry, M.D.
Chief of Staff
(518) 626-6732
Dr. Irizarry, was appointed Chief of Staff of the Albany VA Medical Center June 2005. Dr. Irizarry is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. She spent 18 years in academic medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has served in several roles including Professor of Medicine and most recently, Interim Chief of Medicine at the NMVAHCS.
As an administrator, Dr. Irizarry initiated and implemented programs that contributed to the improvement of patient safety, access and delivery of care to veterans and to the enhancement of medical education. As an academician, Dr. Irizarry has served as a role model and mentor of multiple medical students, house officers and faculty members. In addition to her life long career interest in bacterial resistance to antimicrobial therapy and antibiotic development, Dr. Irizarry also has a great interest in medical ethics and professionalism.
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Deborah Spath
Associate Director for Patient/Nursing Services
(518) 626-6736
Deborah Spath, MSN, RN, was appointed Associate Director for Patient/Nursing Services at the Albany VA Medical Center in Albany, New York in April, 2003.
A native of Albany, Ms. Spath is a graduate of Albany’s Russell Sage College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She continued her education, attaining her Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration.
Beginning her career as a Staff Nurse at the Albany VA Medical Center, Ms. Spath has continued her professional tenure through her dedication to service, the Albany VA Medical Center and Veterans. She rose through VA ranks, serving as a Nurse Manager, and eventually, a Performance Manager. Furthering her service to veterans, Ms. Spath accepted a position as the Associate Director for Performance Management for VA Healthcare Network, Upstate New York. Ms. Spath returned to the Albany VA Medical Center, where she now serves as the Associate Director for Patient/Nursing Services.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: February 28, 2007 |
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