As we move further into 2026, Iroquois Healthcare Alliance continues to advance its mission at a critical moment for Upstate and rural healthcare. This year has already brought significant advocacy activity as we work to protect essential funding, preserve access to care, and elevate the voices of our member hospitals amid mounting federal and state fiscal pressures. At the same time, our workforce initiatives—including the Caring Gene® Program and the Healthcare Educational Consortium—are building meaningful pathways for students and professionals while strengthening long‑term workforce sustainability across New York.
From safety and emergency preparedness efforts to continued innovation through United Iroquois Shared Services and our Premier partnership, this issue highlights the momentum, collaboration, and dedication driving our work forward. I am grateful for the continued engagement of our members, partners, and staff as we navigate challenges and create opportunities together.
It is also with deep sadness that I share the passing of Gary J. Fitzgerald, former President and CEO of the Iroquois Healthcare Association. Gary was a respected leader whose vision, integrity, and longstanding commitment to improving healthcare across Upstate New York helped shape the organization IHA is today. We honor his legacy and extend our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, and the many individuals and communities impacted by his leadership.
In Memoriam:
Gary J. Fitzgerald
Gary J. Fitzgerald, former President and CEO of the Iroquois Healthcare Association, passed February 20, 2026 at home surrounded by his family.
Gary led IHA from its earliest days—beginning in 1990 as CEO of the Northeastern NY Hospital Council—through its growth into a premier healthcare advocacy organization representing more than 50 hospitals across Upstate New York. Over more than three decades, he was a tireless advocate for member hospitals and a pioneer in healthcare data, workforce development, advocacy, and association‑shared services, including the creation of UISS. Gary retired at the end of 2024, leaving a lasting legacy that will be felt for generations.
IHA’s newsletter features highlights and updates on our advocacy efforts, programs & initiatives, United Iroquois Shared Services (UISS) group purchasing updates, upcoming events, and what’s happening inside IHA. We hope you enjoy this edition!
Advocacy Update
Kevin M. Kerwin, Esq.
President & CEO
Lauren Ford, LMSW
Vice President, Government Relations and Strategy
Grace Rust, MPA
Associate Director, Government Relations and Member Engagement
The 2026 legislative session has been busy and has already brought some important progress on long-standing priorities, alongside significant threats that we are continuing to monitor, particularly on the federal side. Our advocacy team has been active on multiple fronts, from co-hosting a Capitol press conference and Advocacy Day meetings in January and February, to submitting budget testimony and joining a joint 340B Advocacy Day with HANYS and CHCANYS. Media coverage across outlets ranging from the Buffalo News to CBS 6 Albany has helped bring attention to the needs of Upstate and rural hospitals as budget conference negotiations get underway. We are thankful to the Senate for including 340B protections in their one-house proposal, and we will continue to push to ensure those protections make it into the final enacted budget.
Caring Gene® Program Momentum — And How You Can Help
More than 2,400 people across 30 counties have enrolled in the Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program since January 2025 — and over the next year, these trained professionals will be ready to fill high-needs roles in healthcare, behavioral health, and social care. Employers interested in tapping this pipeline of motivated candidates must complete a state attestation process to access job posting opportunities exclusively for Caring Gene® students. If your organization hasn't yet attested, reach out to provider partnership specialist Alyse Buccina soon. Together, we're building the workforce our Upstate New York communities depend on.
IHA's Healthcare Educational Consortium (HEC) initiative is gaining significant momentum, with expanding partnerships, newly launched clinical experiences, and growing regional and national visibility. Renewed funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation — covered by POLITICO Pro — is supporting the development of sustainable healthcare workforce pipelines across New York State. From a collaborative stakeholder meeting in the North Country to the launch of the first student clinical rotation cohort at Cayuga Medical Center in Tompkins County, the initiative is creating tangible pathways for students to explore healthcare careers.
With a third pilot site in the works, the program continues to grow its reach and deepen community partnerships aimed at addressing the state's healthcare workforce needs.
This newsletter update highlights two key initiatives advancing healthcare safety and emergency preparedness across New York State. IHA recently convened its first Workplace Violence Prevention Forum of 2026, where healthcare leaders exchanged best practices, legislative updates, and data-driven strategies for addressing workplace violence — with contributions from both state and regional associations.
Looking ahead, the CNY Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition is set to host an Integrated Health Emergency Management Summit on June 23, offering healthcare, public health, and emergency management professionals a collaborative forum focused on coordination, innovation, and technology-supported preparedness.
The winter months brought significant developments across the healthcare supply chain landscape, and UISS has been active on multiple fronts on behalf of our members. This issue covers the continued rollout of the AI-powered Supply Disruption Manager — which is already delivering measurable results for member hospitals — along with the latest on tariff and trade policy, Premier's landmark multi-year technology investment program, the return of the Supply Chain Scholarship Program, and a look ahead at rural health transformation opportunities. We also share a recap of UISS executives' participation in Premier's Executive Forum in Phoenix — a gathering that reinforced the strength of our partnership and the direction the industry is heading in 2026.
We are proud to recognize the growth and talent within our organizations as we celebrate several well‑earned staff promotions and welcome new team members. These milestones reflect the dedication, expertise, and commitment that continue to strengthen our work and advance our mission!
2026 Upcoming Events
Stay connected with IHA & UISS! Save the dates for the following upcoming in-person meetings and events that are designed to support collaboration, preparedness, and healthcare leadership across our membership:
IHA Business Associate Membership gives your company access to rural and Upstate NY healthcare leaders and can help you foster positive relationships with new and current customers, anticipate trends and changes in the healthcare environment, and identify new opportunities for reaching the Upstate NY healthcare sector.
We'd like to welcome our newest Business Associate Members:
