UTICA, N.Y. — Dr. William LeCates, who has been serving as COO of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) for the past 14 months, will become the system’s top executive on Oct. 20. The MVHS board of directors on Sept. 18 announced the appointment of LeCates, who will succeed Darlene Stromstad, who is retiring after […]
UTICA, N.Y. — Dr. William LeCates, who has been serving as COO of the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) for the past 14 months, will become the system’s top executive on Oct. 20.
The MVHS board of directors on Sept. 18 announced the appointment of LeCates, who will succeed Darlene Stromstad, who is retiring after nearly seven years in her role leading MVHS.
Following Stromstad’s announced retirement, MVHS says its board of directors conducted a national search for a president and CEO and, after extensive interviews with other highly qualified candidates, selected LeCates as Stromstad’s successor.
As COO, LeCates has been responsible for clinical-support services, operational-support services, supervising MVHS product lines, and working with quality and medical education.
Dr. LeCates has also maintained a limited clinical practice in internal medicine and nephrology, MVHS noted.
“Dr. LeCates is a proven leader with a deep understanding of healthcare systems and an unwavering commitment to patient care,” Richard Zweifel, chair of the MVHS board of directors, said in the MVHS announcement. “His clinical expertise, operational experience and knowledge of the region make him uniquely suited to lead MVHS into its next chapter.”
Stromstad will continue to act as an advisor to MVHS through the end of this year.
“We are grateful to Darlene Stromstad for the key role she played in bringing the Wynn Hospital to fruition,” said Zweifel. “Her leadership and guidance helped to steer the organization both during the transition to a new facility as well as during a worldwide pandemic.”
LeCates background
LeCates began his career in health care more than 25 years ago. Prior to joining MVHS, LeCates served as an executive director for JPMorgan Chase where he provided clinical oversight of the health-care operations of 22 U.S. health centers serving more than 150,000 employees.
As a physician and health-care leader, the majority of LeCates’ career has been spent in various roles with Cooperstown–based Bassett Healthcare Network and its affiliates, including serving as president and COO of Bassett Medical Center.
“I’m honored that the Board of Directors has the confidence in me to lead MVHS into its next chapter,” LeCates said. “Working alongside the extraordinary caregivers at MVHS over the past year has been a tremendous privilege. Together, we have before us a wonderful opportunity to grow and evolve in bringing the very best quality healthcare to all the communities we serve. I am truly grateful to lead MVHS at this critically important time.”
LeCates earned his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MVHS said. He completed his internal-medicine residency and nephrology-fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. LeCates is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology.
LeCates also brings many years of military-leadership experience to the CEO role. He currently serves as a colonel in the New York Army National Guard, with previous overseas tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Liberia. LeCates is a graduate of the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
