After 25 years with Thompson Health and 20 as the health system’s President/CEO, Linda M. Farchione announced last week that she will retire in May 2012.
“My career with Thompson has been challenging, exciting and incredibly rewarding as I have enjoyed the privilege of working with countless individuals of the highest caliber,” Farchione said. “Together, we have accomplished many wonderful things and have laid the foundation for many more in the future. That is why I know that a year from now, the timing will be right for me, and for Thompson.”
A Canandaigua native and registered nurse, Farchione first joined Thompson in 1986 as VP of Nursing at F.F. Thompson Hospital. She became President/CEO of the entire organization in 1991. In this role, Farchione has overseen F.F. Thompson Health System, F.F. Thompson Hospital, the 188-bed M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, the FFT Senior Communities comprised of 84 independent apartments at Ferris Hills and 48 enriched living apartments at Clark Meadows, the Thompson Foundation, FFT Properties, Inc., the Finger Lakes Community Care Network, and Ontario County Advanced Life Support.
Through all of the above-mentioned corporations and a myriad of services, Thompson Health serves an estimated 165,000 residents of the Greater Finger Lakes region. With revenues in excess of $105 million, the organization has grown to employ more than 1,300 dedicated individuals from the Canandaigua and surrounding communities. In addition, it has over 400 community volunteers and a respected medical staff of nearly 350 physicians and mid-level providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
William R. Kenyon, Chairman of the Board, noted that during Farchione’s time at the helm, Thompson Health has achieved many things, including receiving the Governor’s Award for Excellence and Magnet designation – in recognition of nursing excellence – from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
“In my mind, however, Linda’s greatest achievement is the creation and nurturing of a culture that now is Thompson Health,” Kenyon said. “Her greatest achievements are neither bricks nor mortar nor plaques on the wall. It is the people of Thompson Health and the culture of caring that will be her lasting legacy.”
As the Board of Directors begins its search for a successor, Kenyon said it will first take the pulse of the community – service groups, school officials, local government officials and more – to determine the community’s expectations of Thompson Health in the future. Thompson Health’s medical staff and Associates will also be heavily involved in the search process. The Board will engage the services of a search firm specializing in healthcare executives to aid in the search process.
“This process is going to be very inclusive, because Thompson is a cornerstone of this community,” Kenyon said.
In the meantime, Farchione said she has a busy year ahead of her as she continues working with her executive team and Associates throughout the health system on a number of current initiatives, including Project Excel – the $43 million hospital expansion/renovation slated for completion in 2012 – and the systemwide transition to electronic medical records.
“There is much to accomplish in the year ahead,” she said, “and I look forward to working with Thompson’s next President/CEO in ensuring that this health system continues to thrive for this community, well into the future.”