Hospital CEO announces upcoming change in leadership

Press release:

Mark C. Schoell, CEO of United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, today announced that he plans to step down from his role as the organization’s highest administrator on Dec. 31. This is the expected completion date for the affiliation process between United Memorial and Rochester Regional Health System (RRHS). He has been with United Memorial for 10 years; serving as the president and CEO for the majority of his tenure.

Betty Lapp, chair of the United Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors said “Mark’s expertise in finance and extensive knowledge of the healthcare environment has led United Memorial to a position of strength.

“His strategic vision has allowed us to continue to provide quality, locally delivered healthcare for the residents of Genesee County. On behalf of the Board, I can say that we deeply appreciate and respect all that he has accomplished.”

Last December, Daniel P. Ireland assumed the role of president of United Memorial as part of a long-term succession planning initiative. He will continue as president and become the highest ranking administrator at United Memorial. The responsibilities of the CEO will be maintained by the Rochester Regional Health System following the merger with RRHS. Beginning in January, Schoell will continue to contribute to the long-term viability of United Memorial by assisting with system integration and strategic planning at the discretion of the Hospital president.

“Mark Schoell is a transformative leader and as a result of his vision and guidance, United Memorial will join the Rochester Regional Healthcare System from a position of strength, becoming what we see as the Western hub of our system.” said Mark Clement, CEO of RRHS. “I look forward to collaborating with him on system integration. And knowing the strong and capable team Mark has built, I am confident that the transition will be smooth and effective as we work together to expand access and build a continuum of the highest quality care throughout this entire region.”

Schoell is a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA) and a graduate of Canisius College (Buffalo) with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting and earned his master of science degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University (Olean). He has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare administration and finance. He has been the chair of the Western New York Healthcare Association and Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and served on the board of directors for Lake Plains Community Care Network, Healthcare Professionals Insurance Company, and Mercy Flight of Western New York. He is a member of Batavia Rotary and resides with his wife, Peg, in Orchard Park.

United Memorial’s accomplishments under Schoell’s leadership are innumerable. They began with the creation of a stable financial position where revenues have grown by more than 70 percent -- from $46 million in 2004 to approximately $80 million in 2013; and funds available for reinvestment into the organization after expenses have remained positive, allowing the investment of more than $75 million into local capital improvements.

Developing a master facilities plan in 2005, United Memorial made many advances in improving the physical plant. At the hospital, patient rooms were updated, both wings of the fourth floor Maternity Unit and the Pharmacy Department were completely renovated. Heating, electrical and air-handling systems were upgraded and to improve patient access; employee parking was moved off campus. From 2007-2009, the underutilized former St. Jerome Hospital campus was transformed into a vibrant outpatient healthcare center that includes affordable senior housing, occupational medicine, and urgent care services. One of the largest and most impactful projects included the 44,000-square-foot, $20 million surgical expansion project completed at the hospital in 2010. Unusual for a small community hospital, United Memorial has some of the most modern and up-to-date surgical suites in Western New York.

United Memorial’s strategic planning process guided the creation of several new services and recruitment of primary care providers and physician specialists to our region. New services include the Hospitalist program, Urgent Care, Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, The Sleep and Wellness Center, Pain Management, Joint Replacement Center of Excellence, Community Pharmacy, Stroke Center and the Cancer and Infusion Center.  Women’s Care was extended into Orleans County and many new physician specialists have joined the Medical Staff; which has nearly doubled in the past ten years. In 2013, United Memorial became a teaching facility offering a Residency Program in Family Medicine and serves as a rural clinical rotation site for students completing their medical degrees.

As he was building, renovating and recruiting, Schoell kept a strong focus on improving quality of care through diligent quality measurement and patient outcomes by implementing best practices. United Memorial has been recognized for surgical care improvement measures, laboratory testing, communication with primary care physicians, our work with the Safe Haven program, and infant immunization, testing and breastfeeding. To maintain this momentum of quality improvement, Schoell fostered collaborative initiatives in stroke care, pathology, cardiology, urology, and oncology with larger recognized institutions. And, as national healthcare reform became a reality, he and the Board of Directors had the vision to investigate partnership opportunities with healthcare systems in order to protect local services.

United Memorial Medical Center has experienced a metamorphosis under the leadership of Mark Schoell, and “Quality care right at home,” has become our organization’s promise to the community.