On March 9, Cayuga Medical Center announced that its CEO and president, Dr. Rob Mackenzie, will retire at the end of 2012. CMC’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to replace Mackenzie with John Rudd, CMC’s current senior vice president and chief financial officer.Mackenzie — who came to Ithaca in 1984 to accept a job as a general and vascular surgeon at Surgical Associates of Ithaca — was hired as CMC’s medical director in 1994. In 2003, he was promoted to CEO and president.Mackenzie said that during his tenure he focused on “improving clinical quality, improving our customer service, expanding the services provided and building a stronger partnership with our medical staff.”He said he is pleased with how the hospital has progressed during his tenure and that he “thought it was time to turn the reins over to Mr. John Rudd.”Rudd, who will assume the position on Jan. 1, 2013, said that he will continue to focus on improving the patient experience at CMC, as well as strengthening relationships between physicians and medical administrators.Mackenzie said that Rudd has been his “right hand person” since he came to CMC from Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y.“Rudd has overseen and supervised virtually every part of our hospital over the last 10 years,” he said.Since he has worked with Mackenzie in the past, Rudd said he expects a smooth transition into the position.“The vision of the medical center has really been a shared vision between the two of us,” Rudd said. “It has been an honor to work for [Mackenzie] over the years … so it’s a real honor to be able to step into the CEO role.”
Original Author: Rebecca Friedman