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JetBlue to relaunch direct flights from Syracuse to Fort Lauderdale
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — JetBlue will restart year-round, nonstop air service, five times per week, from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton appoints COO
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) says it has appointed Kipp Jones as its new COO to oversee daily operations of primary and specialty practices. He begins his duties on Dec. 8, CMH tells CNYBJ in an email. In this new role at the hospital, Jones will play a key role in advancing CMH’s
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HAMILTON, N.Y. — Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) says it has appointed Kipp Jones as its new COO to oversee daily operations of primary and specialty practices.
He begins his duties on Dec. 8, CMH tells CNYBJ in an email.
In this new role at the hospital, Jones will play a key role in advancing CMH’s strategic initiatives, “ensuring continued excellence in patient care, quality, and performance,” per the CMH announcement. He brings experience in health-care leadership and a proven ability to strengthen operational systems that support both providers and patients, the hospital said.
“Kipp brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of how to strengthen operations while keeping patients at the center of every decision,” Jeff Coakley, president and CEO of Community Memorial Hospital, said in the announcement. “We are confident he will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team and help us continue to advance our mission of providing exceptional care close to home.”
Most recently, Jones served in leadership roles with HCA Healthcare in New Hampshire, and a private practice, where he made contributions to rural health care in New England. His accomplishments include leading the recruitment and contracting of providers to strengthen access to care and expand provider capacity. Jones also led the implementation of electronic medical record (EMR) systems in newly acquired practices.
His skill and experience in these areas will “prove to be uniquely beneficial” as CMH continues to advance and grow during an upcoming upgrade to the organization’s EMR, the hospital contended.
“I am eager to partner with our team members, medical staff, board, and the broader community to build on the outstanding work already being done,” Jones said. “Together, we will continue to strengthen CMH’s role in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that’s close to home — just as we have done since 1952.”
Jones earned his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree from Cornell University.
Community Memorial Hospital offers primary and specialty care in locations that include Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, Sherrill, and Waterville.

SU’s Hendricks Chapel dean to become next president of Valparaiso University in Indiana
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Rev. Brian Konkol, who has been serving as VP and dean of Syracuse University’s (SU) Hendricks Chapel, will become the 20th president

Design phase set to start for $450M annex at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The design phase is set to begin for the $450 million hospital annex at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. The design will

MMRI accepting applications for 2026 summer fellowship program
UTICA, N.Y. — College students interested in a summer fellowship at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) in Utica can now apply for consideration. The program is open to both local and national undergraduate and graduate students. The MMRI Summer Fellowship is a 10-week, hands-on training program designed to get undergraduate and graduate students involved
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UTICA, N.Y. — College students interested in a summer fellowship at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) in Utica can now apply for consideration.
The program is open to both local and national undergraduate and graduate students.
The MMRI Summer Fellowship is a 10-week, hands-on training program designed to get undergraduate and graduate students involved in scientific research.
The upcoming fellowship will run from May 11, 2026, through July 17, 2026 at MMRI, which is located at 2150 Bleecker St. in Utica.
Fellows will gain hands-on laboratory experience, mentorship from some of the nation’s leading scientists and “valuable insight into the process of scientific discovery,” MMRI said. The program also offers opportunities to network with peers and experts, attend educational workshops, and receive guidance on medical and graduate school applications.
“The summer fellowship helped me to decide on my future career path that I wasn’t necessarily sure of prior to the program,” Gianna Frank, a 2024 summer fellow and pre-medical student at Syracuse University, said in the MMRI announcement. “Participating in this fellowship not only taught me skills necessary for hands-on benchwork, but it also showed me the ‘behind the scenes’ of the entire research process.”
Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing science-related programs, including biology, chemistry, genetics, molecular biology, nanomedicine, physiology, drug delivery and other life sciences, are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. To learn more about MMRI’s summer fellowship program, visit mmri.edu/summerfellow.

Syracuse football fires four assistant coaches following disappointing season
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After posting a 3-9 record in the 2025 season, Syracuse University football head coach Fran Brown has parted ways with four assistant

Griffiss Institute produced $15.4 million economic impact on Mohawk Valley in FY24
ROME, N.Y. — The Griffiss Institute (GI) in Rome generated a $15.4 million impact on the Mohawk Valley economy during fiscal year 2024 (FY24). That

SUNY Oswego president named to board of national association for state schools
OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu is now serving on the board of directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Nwosu was one of five educational leaders elected to the AASCU board on Nov. 17 during the organization’s annual conference for presidents and chancellors in Nashville, Tennessee. AASCU is
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OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu is now serving on the board of directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).
Nwosu was one of five educational leaders elected to the AASCU board on Nov. 17 during the organization’s annual conference for presidents and chancellors in Nashville, Tennessee.
AASCU is a Washington, D.C.–based higher-education association representing more than 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems.
Nwosu’s appointment to the AASCU board “places him among a select group of national leaders who guide the association’s strategic direction and advance its mission,” SUNY Oswego said in its announcement.
The board provides oversight to ensure AASCU continues to promote access, student success, and inclusive excellence across regional public institutions. In this role, Nwosu will help develop policies and initiatives that strengthen the impact of state colleges and universities nationwide.
Besides serving on the board of directors, Nwosu also is chair of AASCU’s committee on student success, a position he has held since December 2024.
“I am deeply honored to serve on the AASCU Board of Directors and to help advance our shared commitment to expanding access and elevating student success,” Nwosu said in the school’s announcement. “This opportunity highlights SUNY Oswego’s role in shaping the future of public higher education and strengthens our efforts to ensure that every student — from their first days on campus to graduation and beyond — has the support and pathways necessary to thrive.”

Lewis County businesses recognized during Naturally Lewis awards event
LOWVILLE, N.Y. — Red Barn Meats, Inc. of Croghan is this year’s Naturally Lewis Outstanding Business Award recipient. The meat processor, located northeast of Lowville

Understanding How Premium Dollars Are Used
Health care costs continue to rise, impacting premium rates and putting pressure on small businesses. With the complexity of the health care system, it can
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.