Capital Region entrepreneur Daniel T. Pickett, III, has been elected as the new chairman of the Albany Med Health System board of directors. He will begin his two-year term on July 1, succeeding Robert T. Cushing after more than a decade of leadership.
Pickett is currently the CEO of AptiHealth, a behavioral healthcare company he founded to connect high-need patients with comprehensive care efficiently. He also serves as CEO of Hudson River Capital Holdings, a private investment firm. Previously, he was president of Zones and CEO of nfrastructure, both global technology companies. Pickett joined the Albany Medical Center board in 2012.
“A strong health care network allows communities to thrive, and none shows the same level of commitment as the Albany Med Health System,” said Pickett. “Because our 16,000 colleagues all live and work in the region we serve, we respond best to the needs of our neighbors.”
Pickett aims to focus on workforce development and expanding access to specialized services within the Albany Med Health System. The system is noted for being the largest private employer in its region and provides over 60 medical and surgical specialty services across 125 locations.
Dennis P. McKenna, MD, president and CEO of Albany Med Health System remarked that “Dan is a visionary leader who knows the Capital Region and the indispensable role the Albany Med Health System holds in its identity.”
Pickett takes over from Robert T. Cushing who served as chairman since 2013 during which time significant growth was achieved at Albany Medical Center. Notable projects under Cushing’s leadership included opening a $360-million Patient Pavilion and a $110-million Park South redevelopment project.
Cushing’s impact extended beyond Albany campus with strategic affiliation agreements forming northeastern New York’s largest locally governed health system including Columbia Memorial Health, Saratoga Hospital, Glens Falls Hospital among others.
Dr. McKenna praised Cushing stating that “Bob has shown himself to be an exceptional leader at a particularly extraordinary time in the health care field.”
Cushing retired from his finance career as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Trustco Bank in 2015 but will continue serving on the board after stepping down as chairman.
