New Executive Director of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation Melissa Stagnaro

NORWICH – Melissa Stagnaro has been named Executive Director of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation. She succeeds Deb Cassavaugh, who retired from her role at the Norwich hospital this summer.

According to Drake Lamen, MD, President and CEO of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, Cassavaugh was a key part of the CMH Foundation since its founding in 1995. She served as Foundation Assistant before being named the non-profit organization’s first Executive Director in 2001.

“Over the last two and a half decades, Deb’s work with the Foundation has enabled our hospital to offer new programs, purchase state-of-the-art equipment and complete much-needed renovations,” Lamen said. “Her efforts have had a direct impact on improving patient care, increasing access to needed services and supporting the important work our caregivers do each and every day.”

Lamen said he has confidence in Stagnaro’s ability to lead the Foundation into its next chapter.

“Melissa is an important member of our senior staff at UHS Chenango Memorial. She believes passionately in the mission of our hospital, and is very committed to this community. Following her success with the capital campaign, this felt a natural progression for her within our organization,” he said.

Stagnaro joined the UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital team in December of 2017 as Director of Fundraising & Business Development. In that capacity, she lead the Chenango Medical Neighborhood Capital Campaign, which to date has raised in excess of $6 million – more than double the campaign’s initial goal.

In addition to Cassavaugh’s role with the Foundation, she also served as the hospital’s Director of Special Projects, where she guided many of the healthcare facility’s capital improvements and community service initiatives. In recognition of her unique contributions, a conference room in the new UHS Cardiology Norwich space was dedicated in her honor upon her retirement.

“We felt this was a fitting tribute for the legacy Deb leaves behind,” said Chris Kisacky, Vice President of Service Coordination and Development. “This gives us an opportunity to celebrate both of these strong women leaders as they start exciting new chapters - Deb for the extraordinary impact she’s made, and Melissa for the important work we know she will do in her expanded role.”

The Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation was established in 1995 and charged with facilitating charitable giving that supports the hospital’s mission of service to the greater Chenango community.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Melissa Stagnaro at (607) 337-4510 or via email at melissa.stagnaro@nyuhs.org.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is a member of United Health Services, a locally owned not-for-profit 916-bed hospital and health care system serving the Greater Binghamton region from more than 40 locations around New York’s Southern Tier.

- From UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital