LEADERS IN HEALTHCARE

Greater Rochester

Jane Ahrens

Owner, Ahrens Benefits Company.

With the organization since: 2008.

In current position since: 2008.

Education: MS degree in health education.

Career Highlights: Twenty-five-year teaching experience in the Rochester City School District as a health education teacher.

Current Affiliations: NAHU, Greece, Gates-Chili and Spencerport chambers of commerce.

How do you describe your managerial philosophy or approach? “The most important thing to me is that every agent on my team succeeds. We have a family atmosphere at work.”

Skills that make you an effective leader: “I’m highly organized and make sure that the whole team is meeting their deadlines.”

How can the healthcare industry in the region be improved? “Health insurance premiums need to be affordable for everyone.”

What do you do for fun? “Travel — we like to cruise. Go to the theater to see Broadway musicals.”

Michael Apostolakos

Chief medical officer, Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital.

With the organization since: July 1987.

In current position since: 2017.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, University at Buffalo, 1983; medical degree, University at Buffalo, SUNY School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Medicine 1987.

Career Highlights: Among several awards and accolades are: 2019: Named the Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Professor in Quality and Safety; 2020: Received Distinguished Service Award in the category of Health

Care Team, Rochester Academy of Medicine Annual Awards; 2020 and 2021: Named to Power 30, Healthcare, Rochester Business Journal; 2018: Greater Rochester Quality Council Performance Excellence Award, Wash-Glove-Wash Hand Hygiene Improvement Project; 2015: University of Rochester Medical Center Board Service Excellence Team Award, Adult Rapid Response Team; 2012: selected a top “I CARE” provider, University of Rochester Medical Center; 2017 – 2018: selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America;” 2011 – 2012: Arthur W. Bauman Teaching Award, department of medicine, University of Rochester; 2010: selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in America; 2010: Rochester Business Journal Health Care Achievement Award for Innovation; 2009 – 2010: selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America;” 2009: Selected for inclusion in: Who’s Who in America; 2009: Team Excellence Award, University of Rochester Medical Center board; 2008: selected as one of “America’s Top Physicians;” 2007 – 2008: selected for special commendation for third year Medical School Teaching during the academic year, University of Rochester Medical Center.

Current affiliations: Professor of medicine and Public Health Sciences at University of Rochester Medical Center; chief medical officer at University of Rochester Medical Center; American Board of Internal Medicine certified in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine; member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine; course director for the Fundamentals of Critical Care Support Course; member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

How do you describe your managerial philosophy or approach? “I would describe my leadership style as servant leadership. I attempt to share power and strive to help others develop and perform as highly as possible.”

Skills that make you an effective leader: “I am trustworthy and a good communicator and motivator.”

How can the healthcare industry in the region be improved? “A continued focus on value-based care for our patients.”

What do you do for fun? “I enjoy spending time with my family, watching sports and exercising.”

David E. Baum

Chief medical officer, senior VP of medical services, medical director of urgent care, F.F. Thompson Hospital.

With organization since: 1987.

In the current position since: July 2014.

Education: Albany Medical College, medical degree; University of Rochester Medical Center, internship and residency; Cornell Law School, law degree.

Career Highlights: “Becoming involved in the medical staff executive leadership at Thompson and working with the former and current administrators to engage medical staff in a meaningful quality improvement process.”

Current Affiliations: Attending emergency department physician, FF Thompson Hospital.

How do you describe your managerial philosophy or approach? “I try to identify a few issues at a time where change might have a meaningful impact. Reach out to all the people who have an interest in seeing positive change occur. Try to keep the number of people involved to a minimum so the process of change can happen efficiently. Make sure to reach a consensus from all stakeholders who have been part of the process before any change is implemented. All disagreements are resolved through communication and compromise before moving forward. Once agreed upon, execution of the change is considered vital and processes for the implementation are put in place with audits to make sure the change is occurring in a smooth manner.”

Skills that make you an effective leader? “I am inclusive and believe in being open to other viewpoints. Recognize that a proposal that I may put forth is the starting point of a discussion, not the final product. Being an effective listener is probably the most important attribute of an effective leader. Being proactive and reaching out to others helps one to understand the day-to-day concerns of the organization.”

How can the healthcare industry in the region be improved? “Healthcare will improve over time as a result of affiliations that are occurring