FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - HEADSHOTS INCLUDED
UTICA – Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has made the following staff announcements.
 Sharon Palmer, MSBA |
Sharon Palmer, MSBA – Assistant Vice President, Facilities Services (MVHS)
Sharon Palmer, MSBA has been named assistant vice president, Facilities Services for MVHS. In this role, she is responsible for Safety, Security, Clinical Engineering, St. Luke’s Home Plant Operations, Facilities Management, SEMC Environmental Services and Linen, Construction Management and Property Management.
Prior to this position, she was director of Facilities Planning and Support Services and director of Project Management and Support Services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH). Palmer received a Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Services Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management from State University of New York, Institute of Technology in Utica. She earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science in Computer Science from Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC).
Palmer’s office is located at the St. Luke’s Campus in the Professional Office Building and she can be reached at (315) 624-6298 or spalmer@mvnhealth.com.
 David Chickering, CHFM |
David Chickering, CHFM – Director of Facilities Management (SEMC)
David Chickering, CHFM has been named director of Facilities Management for St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC). His responsibilities include overall operation of the Facilities Management Department. He earned his Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) designation from the American Hospital Association.
Chickering has been employed at SEMC for more than 21 years and served as director of Facilities Management since 2010, as well as holding other positions within the Facilities Management Department. Chickering received his associate’s degree in Building Construction from Alfred State College and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Empire State College with a concentration in business, management and economics.
Chickering is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus and he can be reached at (315) 798-8194 or dchickering@stemc.org.
 Anthony Forlenza |
Anthony Forlenza – Director of Clinical Engineering (MVHS)
Anthony Forlenza has been named director of Clinical Engineering for MVHS. He has been employed by SEMC for more than 33 years with 30 years in Clinical Engineering. Forlenza previously worked in SEMC’s Environmental Services, Transport and Central Service Departments. He previously served in Clinical Engineering as a biomedical tech, senior biomedical tech and manager of Clinical Engineering.
Forlenza received his associate’s degree in Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Mohawk Valley Community College and has earned certifications from more than 50 manufacturers’ service schools. These include certifications for Philips monitoring systems, Covidien ventilators, Carefusion infusion pumps and Gambro dialysis equipment.
Forlenza’s office is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus in the Facilities Building, top floor. He can be reached at (315) 734-3050 or (315) 798-8239 or aforlenz@stemc.org or aforlenz@mvnhealth.com.
 John Gaetano, CHFM |
John Gaetano, CHFM – Director of Facilities Management (FSLH)
John Gaetano, CHFM has been named director of Facilities Management for FSLH. Employed at FSLH in this position since 2000, his responsibilities include overall operation of the Facilities Management Department. His CHFM designation is from the American Society of Healthcare Engineering and he is a DNV ISO 14001 Environmental Systems Certified Auditor.
Gaetano received his associate’s degree in Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology from MVCC and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering. He won the American Society of Healthcare Emerging Regional Leader Award in 2013.
Gaetano’s office is located the St. Luke's Campus in the Engineering Department corridor on the ground floor. Gaetano can be reached by phone at (315) 624-6209 or by e-mail at jgaetan1@mvnhealth.com. Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) as the director of Pharmacy.
 James Getter |
James Getter – Director of Hospital Services (SEMC)
James Getter has been named director of Hospital Services for SEMC. His responsibilities include Environmental and Linen Services. Getter has been employed by SEMC for more than 40 years, the past 25 years in his current position. He previously served in the Security Department and as an employee in the Housekeeping Department.
Getter is a graduate of MVCC and is past treasurer and past president of the local chapter of the International Executive Housekeepers Association.
Getter’s office is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus in the basement. He can be reached at (315) 798-8249 or jgetter@stemc.org.
 Christopher Kilmartin |
Christopher Kilmartin – Security Manager (MVHS)
Christopher Kilmartin has been named Security Department manager for MVHS. He is responsible for leading the Securitas security officers for the system. In addition, the team provides support and technical expertise to all MVHS outlying locations.
Kilmartin has worked with Securitas at FSLH for more than 10 years, starting as a security officer before promotion to sergeant and lieutenant. A certified Securitas security supervisor, he holds certificates in Civil Treatment for Managers, Management of Aggressive Behavior, Practical and Tactical Handcuffing, FEMA Incident Command System and several U.S. Department of Homeland Security ISP.
Kilmartin’s office is on the ground floor of the St. Luke’s Campus and he can be reached at (315) 624-6146 or at ckilmart@mvnhealth.com.
 Gregg Sponburgh, MPH |
Gregg Sponburgh, MPH – Director of Safety/Emergency Preparedness (SEMC)
Gregg Sponburgh, MPH has been named director of Safety/Emergency Preparedness at SEMC. He has been employed by SEMC for two years, first as Environmental Health and Safety officer. In addition, for the past four years he has served as grounds supervisor for TEMCO Inc. at Utica College.
Prior to his positions at SEMC, he was director of Environmental Health and Safety at Utica College, Environmental Health technician at Syracuse University and served in the United States Army as Captain, Environmental Science officer and in the United States Army Reserves, Lieutenant Colonel. His combat service includes Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sponburgh received a Master of Public Health from Tulane University, New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering from Norwich University Military Academy, Northfield, Vermont. He is a member of the Mohawk Valley Safety Professional’s Consortium and SUNY Environmental Health and Safety Association.
Sponburgh’s office is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus and he can be reached at (315) 734-3488 or gsponburgh@stemc.org.
 Karon Weiler |
Karon Weiler – Director of Plant Operations, Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services (CRCCS)
Karon Weiler has been named director of Plant Operations at CRCCS. She has been employed by St. Luke's Home for more than 18 years and prior to that was employed by St. Luke's Memorial Hospital Center for 9 years. In this role, she is responsible for Plant Operations at CRCCS, including Environmental Services, Maintenance, Laundry, Reception and Mohawk Valley Transportation Services.
Prior to this position, she was lead technician for Environmental Services at St. Luke's Memorial Hospital Center, assistant director of Environmental Services at Mohawk Valley Division and director of Plant Operations at St. Luke's Home. Weiler received certification as a Universal Refrigeration Technician from MVCC.
Weiler’s office is located at CRCCS and she can be reached at (315) 624-8670 or kweiler@mvnhealth.com.
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Sandra Fentiman
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
(315) 798-8195
sfentiman@stemc.org