IMOVERS & SHAKERS

Will serve patients on Syracuse’s west side

St. Joseph’s Health welcomes Rebekah Kaufman, MD, a board-certified physician specializing in family medicine, to St. Joseph’s Physicians. In her role as primary care physician, Dr. Kaufman joins a team of diverse and experienced health care professionals who provide high quality care to the underserved community on Syracuse’s westside. In addition to family medicine, Dr. Kaufman provides obstetrical and gynecological care to patients.

“I enjoy seeing a variety of patients – from newborn to end of life care— and practice a holistic approach to addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual concerns of my patients,” said Kaufman. “I hope to work as a partner to my patients, to give them an opportunity to heal, grow, and gain confidence managing chronic conditions.”

Kaufman earned her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University and her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo. In 2021, Dr. Kaufman completed her family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Health. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Kaufman is seeing patients at St. Joseph’s Health Primary Care Center – West at 321 Gifford St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13204. To schedule an appointment, please call (315) 703 2600.

Boys & Girls Clubs adds four women to its executive team including first female executive director

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse has made big organizational changes. They’ve added four women to its executive team. At the helm, Jenni Gratien was named its new executive director. Gratien’s appointment makes her the first woman to have this position at the organization. She brings with her a wealth of experience and excitement. She joins BGCS from Chadwick Residence where she worked for almost 12 years and served as the executive director for the last six. Her passion and commitment to improve the lives of individuals who belong to underserved communities is captured in her favorite quote by Ghandi “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Gratien has hit the ground running and has already begun to make an impact in her new role. Her focus is to always keep the organization’s mission at the forefront of everything BGCS does.

“I am delighted to lead the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse as the first ever woman Executive Director in the club’s history,” says Gratien. “I am honored and excited to work for an inclusive organization that makes our community’s children a priority. As a leader, it is important that our team feels valued; as such, I will prioritize personal development, authenticity, and our collective strive for unity to ensure that Great Futures Start Here.”

Adrienne Kelley is BGCS’ new director of fund development. She brings with her over 11 years of experience from her previous role as assistant director of development at Francis House. Kelley has over 20 years of fund development experience in the nonprofit world. She has come on board with the goal of extending BGCS’s reach, building on established relationships and forging new partnerships that will help to support and exceed the needs of the young people BGCS serves. "I feel honored to be a part of an organization that provides a safe environment for our youth,” says Kelley “It’s a place where they learn life and leadership skills-a place where they can build relationships that will help to shape successful futures."

Stacey Nichols has joined the executive team as the director of marketing. She has over 15 years of Marketing experience that forges across industries. Locally she has worked with the Rescue Mission and WCNY among other organizations. She is ready to hit the ground running, making both the needs and the news of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse more visible. Her goal is to highlight the story of the youth and, to invite the community at large in for an up-close view of how the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse has and will continue to shape the futures of its youth.

“I am from a community much like those of the youth we serve,” she says. “When I look at them, I know that if given the right support and tools, we are looking at future artists, doctors, entrepreneurs, lawyers, politicians and teachers. We are looking at kids who can be whoever and whatever they aspire to be. I am honored to play my role to support BGCS’s mission to get them there.”

Kenyata Calloway has also been added to the executive team after being promoted from unit director of the Fayette Street club to programming director, overseeing all three clubs. Calloway returned to Boys and Girls Clubs of Syracuse in November 2021 after nine years. Before leaving the organization, she worked at BGCS for eight years in several different positions.

As Women’s History Month ends, Calloway sums up the enthusiasm of her new role and the additions to the executive team perfectly. “Behind every strong woman is a tribe of other strong women who have her back.”

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse has been a leader in youth development in our community for over 125 years. The Boys & Girls Clubs provide a fun, safe and positive environment fostering academic success, good character and citizenship that directly impacts our local community. Learn more at BGCSyracuse.org. Connect with us at Facebook.com/BGCSyracuse & @bgc_syracuse on Instagram.

Local accountant named chair of PRC

Linda Gabor, CPA, CFE has been appointed as the chair of the Peer Review Committee (PRC) of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). PRC oversees the administration of the AICPA and PICPA Peer Review programs in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The PRC is responsible for ensuring that peer reviews are performed and accepted in accordance with the AICPA peer review standards. Gabor is the partner-in-charge of the audit services group at Grossman St. Amour CPAs PLLC and has over 28 years of experience in public accounting. She also leads the firm’s Employee Benefit Plan Audit Practice. Linda’s areas of expertise include audit and attest engagements, financial statement reparation, internal control review, and fraud examination and deterrence. Her audit industry areas include affordable housing, employee benefit plans, manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, not-for-profit, public school districts, and retail distribution organizations. She is a member of the Employee Benefit Plan and Government Audit Quality Centers of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and also sits on the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Peer Review Committee. She is an advisory board member of Maureen’s Hope Foundation. She lives in Clay with her husband and two children.