Kay Boland honored as Rural Health Network co-founder

Kay Boland, RN, was honored Oct. 16 at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Rural Health Network of South-Central New York.

Kay, who serves as UHS’ senior vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer, was a founding member of the network’s board of directors 25 years ago.

Called “Mash It Up On a Monday,” the anniversary celebration was an in-person fundraiser, the first-ever held by the group, at the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown Binghamton.

Proceeds benefit the organization’s work across the region.

The event featured musical entertainment, a theme-basket auction, remarks by a keynote speaker and, true to its name, a mashed potato bar.

“During the evening, we recognized the group of founding board members,” said Cindy Martin, director of Resource Development at the network.  “Seven of the original 11 members still live in the area.  They were honored for their vision in creating the network.”

Kay graduated from the School of Nursing at Binghamton General Hospital in 1972 and soon joined the hospital as a pediatrics nurse. She went on to receive bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

She has served in a number of key management roles at our hospitals, both before and after the formation of UHS in 1981.  For 20 years she was vice president for Patient Care Services at UHS, becoming senior vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer in 2018.

Over the years the Rural Health Network has worked steadfastly to improve rural life in our region.

In 1996, New York State announced a grant opportunity to create rural health networks across the state.  UHS and Lourdes Hospital took the lead in pulling together a planning team to submit an application in 1997 to serve Broome, Delaware and Tioga counties.

Expanding beyond that area since then, the organization works to improve access to such resources as nutrition, education and healthcare services.

The initial team included representatives from healthcare, human services, county social services, health departments and mental health departments.

Interim Executive Director Jack Salo said that over the last 25 years, the network hasn’t wavered from its original goal.

“The work we have done, beginning in 1998, has been consistently and effectively collaborative, working closely with our healthcare partners, local government, schools, businesses and sister nonprofit agencies to develop innovative and effective rural health services and programs,” Mr. Salo said.