Hochul signs bills allowing cash payments at state parks, extending exemption for boating-safety certificate

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ALBANY, N.Y. — People can continue to use cash to be admitted into sites operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. A new state law prohibits the mandated use of credit cards as a means of payment for use of parks’ facilities. It was one of two bills that […]

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Herkimer College to keep a lid on tuition, other costs for a fourth year

Mohawk Valley, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer County Community College announced that the tuition, housing, and fees it charges students will again remain unchanged this next academic year. This is the fourth straight year the college has kept full-time tuition at $2,558 per semester and part-time tuition at $189 per credit hour, the college said in a news

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MVHS announces 11 residency-program graduates

Mohawk Valley, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) celebrated the graduation of 11 doctors from its Family Medicine Residency Program on June 28, bringing the total number of family physicians completing the three-year, postdoctoral training program to 338. The physicians were trained and provided care at Wynn Hospital, Sister Rose Vincent Family Medical Center, Women’s

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Naturally Lewis accepting applications for $100K Building Business Fund grant program

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Insurance & Financial Services, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Nonprofits, North Country, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

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Inficon, CenterState CEO, Onondaga County leaders react to the $40 million tech-hub award

New York News, Featured, Manufacturing & Engineering, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only, Technology

DeWITT, N.Y. — Hannah Henley, president of Inficon Inc. in DeWitt, says she came to Central New York from out of state about 18 years ago for a “really great engineering education” and never thought she would stay in the region. She landed a job working at Inficon and has been in the area ever

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She landed a job working at Inficon and has been in the area ever since.

Henley was among the speakers as Inficon hosted Tuesday’s announcement about the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse tech hub — the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub — winning a federal award of $40 million to help spur chip manufacturing activity through workforce development, supply chain companies, and commercialization.

Henley told those gathered that she spent the first 10 years of her career supporting the semiconductor market in Asia.

“And we are so energized … [to] do the same thing now in our back yard [in the Upstate region],” she added.

She believes that those involved in tech hub have learned that to solve the really tough challenges in semiconductor manufacturing, it takes partnerships.

“It takes things like innovative device manufacturers. It takes things like wafer-fab equipment companies and also smart manufacturing and sensor companies like Inficon to tackle the really, really difficult job of manufacturing the most advanced chips,” Henley said. “These are the chips that are going to make the difference in the future of health care, agriculture, mobility, as well as computing. There’s no better thing to work on.”

The NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub spans across the Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse regions and has engaged more than 100 institutions, including commitments from industry, academia, labor, nonprofit, government, and other private-sector members.

The event speakers also included Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon who told the gathering that the $40 million award is “going to make us more competitive.”

“It’s going to make our workforce stronger and more inclusive. It’s going to create opportunities for a startup ecosystem but also for companies that are here, and then that makes us more competitive as we’re courting companies across the world,” McMahon said.

In his remarks, Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, praised the work of Schumer for his legislative efforts, including the legislation that became the CHIPS & Science Act that includes the tech-hub program.

“Senator Schumer is responsible for helping to deliver this tech hub to the entire upstate New York corridor,” Simpson said in his remarks.

He also went on to say, “When we work together, we win,” whether it’s in Central New York or all across upstate New York. He acknowledged the efforts of Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Joseph Stefko, president of ROC2025 and NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub regional innovation officer, and Ben Sio, senior vice president for strategy, policy, and planning at CenterState CEO.

“It is these kinds of collaborations that allow us to be better than what we have been in the past; to transcend that historical perspective of upstate New York; and to craft this region with a new vision as … New York’s semiconductor superhighway,” Simpson said.

Tompkins County transportation provider arrested for Medicaid fraud

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A Tompkins County transportation operator was arrested and charged with stealing more than $1 million from Medicaid through fictitious billing, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced. David Moore, owner of ASAP 2, was arrested on June 21 and charged with first-degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree health-care fraud, and three counts of medical

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A Tompkins County transportation operator was arrested and charged with stealing more than $1 million from Medicaid through fictitious billing, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced.

David Moore, owner of ASAP 2, was arrested on June 21 and charged with first-degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree health-care fraud, and three counts of medical assistance provider prohibited practices.

“Patients across the state depend on medical transportation providers to access the care they need,” James said in a statement. “David Moore exploited his role to steal from New York’s Medicaid program, putting vulnerable New Yorkers at risk and undermining honest businesses that provide essential transportation services.”

According to James, Moore allegedly engaged in fictitious billing along with a kickback scheme to overcharge for transportation services, paying Medicaid recipients to use his company for rides for which he overcharged Medicaid.

Medicaid recipients who lack access to transportation can use approved transportation providers to travel to and from covered medical services. The providers receive reimbursements from Medicaid.

From January 2019 to August 2023, Moore allegedly paid Medicaid recipients to use his service, submitted claims for fictitious trips, and significantly inflated the mileage of trips that did happen. According to the attorney general’s office, Moore would submit claims for fictitious trips by billing trips with multiple passengers as if each passenger was transported in a separate vehicle. The result was more than $1 million in overcharges to Medicaid.

James also alleges that Moore paid kickbacks to Medicaid patients to use his services, recruiting customers in order to fraudulently bill Medicaid for more rides. He allegedly made off-the-books payments to Medicaid recipients using Cash App and Venmo to incentivize them to take rides with his service. His alleged practices undermined the businesses of other transportation providers in the Southern Tier, according to James.

The attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Rochester regional staff investigated the matter, with Regional Director William Gargan handling the criminal case.

Oneida Indian Nation opens new community center

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

ONEIDA, N.Y. — The Oneida Indian Nation recently formally opened its new 90,000-square-foot Mary C. Winder Community Center and Box Lacrosse Arena, providing a first look to its members. Located within the Oneida Neighborhoods project, the center offers resources to support cultural engagement and community building for the Oneida Indian Nation and represents a historic

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ONEIDA, N.Y. — The Oneida Indian Nation recently formally opened its new 90,000-square-foot Mary C. Winder Community Center and Box Lacrosse Arena, providing a first look to its members.

Located within the Oneida Neighborhoods project, the center offers resources to support cultural engagement and community building for the Oneida Indian Nation and represents a historic investment in strengthening the community.

“The Mary C. Winder Community Center is a profound statement to all who see it on the vibrancy of our community and proof that by restoring our homelands, we have brought to life the dreams of our ancestors,” Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter said in a press release announcing the grand opening. “It represents our incredible history in this region spanning from time immemorial until today and shows that we will always be here until the end of time. The Oneida people can take great pride in this incredible symbol of our resiliency and legacy today and for generations to come.”

The grand-opening ceremony on June 28 included raising the Oneida Indian Nation flag outside the community center along with a community breakfast in the center’s multipurpose room and a Haudenosaunee social dance exhibition in the new field house. The field house includes a box-lacrosse field that honors the role of the game in the Oneida and Haudenosaunee culture.

Halbritter and the center’s general manager, Nichola Diaz, shared remarks with those in attendance. Members were also able to tour the facility and sign up to access its amenities.

Those amenities include areas for Oneida language education and cultural programming, community gathering spaces, a library, an Oneida historical exhibit, an accessible swimming pool, a gymnasium with fitness center and running track, and a children’s play area.

Ahead of the grand opening, Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter welcomed U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to visit the center as part of her listening tour with several tribal nations in New York state.

The Oneida Indian Nation has about 1,000 enrolled members. The nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 5,000 people, including Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, The Cove at Sylvan Beach, Maple Leaf Markets, SavOn Convenience stores, Verona Collective, an RV park, and marinas.

Proceeds from those enterprises help provide essential services to members including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs.

Wynn Hospital recertified as comprehensive stroke center

Health Care, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Mohawk Valley, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System’s (MVHS) Wynn Hospital was recently recertified as a comprehensive stroke center by the New York State Department of Health and Det Norsek Veritas (DNV) Healthcare. The designation was originally awarded to MVHS’s St. Luke’s campus in July 2021 and was reaffirmed five days after the move to the

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The designation was originally awarded to MVHS’s St. Luke’s campus in July 2021 and was reaffirmed five days after the move to the Wynn Hospital last October.

Surveyors from DNV Healthcare visited MVHS for its annual certification during a two-day stop, where surveyors reviewed records and protocols, talked with patients and staff, and toured the Wynn Hospital, according to an MVHS news release.

The certificate is based on standards set for by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association and affirms that the hospital addresses the full spectrum of stroke care including diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and education and also establishes clear metrics to evaluate outcomes.

“With stroke care, you must have the best clinicians and resources, but also the ability to act organizationally with extreme efficiency because of the time-critical nature of these events,” MVHS Stroke and Neuroendovascular Surgery Director Varun V. Reddy said in the release. “This certification from DNV Healthcare and NYS DOH validates all the effort we have put into this program to ensure the health and safety of our patients.”

Comprehensive stroke centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a given geographical area that can treat any kind of stroke or complication.

“We are so proud of our entire stroke team for again achieving this significant designation,” MVHS President/CEO Darlene Stromstad said. “Being a comprehensive stroke center means that the Wynn Hospital provides the same level of advanced stroke care that can be found in many larger cities and health systems across the country. And we are doing this right here in our community.”

The stroke team, working with its emergency medical services and hospital partners, uses standardized and timely protocols along with RapidAI advanced imaging to ensure stroke patients are diagnosed quickly and are treated within 60 minutes of arrival in the emergency department. Therapies include clot busting TNK and catheter-based interventional stroke-rescue technology.

DNV Healthcare is a global independent certification assurance and risk-management provider that operates in more than 100 countries to advance safety and sustainable performance and set industry benchmarks.

MVHS is the seventh comprehensive stroke center in upstate New York and the only one located between Syracuse and Albany. As of 2022, there are only 297 comprehensive stroke centers in the U.S. Of those, only 12 including the Wynn Hospital, are thrombectomy-capable — meaning they are able to surgically remove a blood clot in an artery.

Vitagliano named Utica market president at Excellus

Health Care, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Insurance & Financial Services, Mohawk Valley, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Antonio Vitagliano is the new regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica market, the nonprofit health insurer recently announced. With the promotion, Vitagliano is expanding his current role as senior VP of provider network engagement. “Over his 30-plus-year career at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Tony has built strong relationships with providers, members, employers,

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UTICA, N.Y. — Antonio Vitagliano is the new regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Utica market, the nonprofit health insurer recently announced.

With the promotion, Vitagliano is expanding his current role as senior VP of provider network engagement.

“Over his 30-plus-year career at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Tony has built strong relationships with providers, members, employers, brokers, and leaders in the Utica area,” Excellus President/CEO Jim Reed said in a news release. “As a lifelong resident of the Mohawk Valley, Tony brings with him the knowledge and appreciation of the local community he will serve.”

In his expanded role as regional president, Vitagliano combines his leadership of provider networks with the additional responsibility of supporting and maintaining business, quality health, and sales in the Mohawk Valley and North Country. Excellus employs about 500 people in the Utica area.

Vitagliano succeeds Eve Van de Wal, who retired from the role at the end of April.

During his time at Excellus, Vitagliano has held positions in finance and marketing before becoming regional VP of network management in the Utica and Central New York regions and vice president of network management and operations.

He serves the community in a variety of ways including as a board member of the CNY Vision Alliance. He previously served on several local boards and associations including the former Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of the Mohawk Valley, New Hartford Youth Hockey Association; the Children’s Museum, and the Central New York Regional Health Information Organization. Vitagliano is a recipient of the Mohawk Valley 40 Under 40 award and a fellow of the Academy of Healthcare Management.

He is a current member of the Princeton University Alumni Schools Committee and contributed to the New York State North Country Health System Redesign Committee, Reimagine NY Commission, Medicaid redesign.

Vitagliano holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Princeton University and MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and has 1.5 million upstate New York members.

Area organizations serving refugees receive federal funding

Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

The Refugee Support Services Program, funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, has awarded $20 million in funding to 17 community-based organizations that help refugees, including several across Central New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The American Civic Association, Inc. in Binghamton received $148,742, The Center in Utica received $1.56 million, and Catholic Charities

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