Physician talks about his transition from chief medical officer to interim president and CEO at Syracuse Community Health Center, says one of his goals is close the health care disparities and accomplish better outcomes for the center’s patients
By Mary Beth Roach
Physician Ofrona A. Reid transitioned on Jan. 1, from the chief medical officer at the Syracuse Community Health Center to the interim president and CEO of that organization. It is anticipated that he will assume the role on a permanent basis.
Q: How has that transition been for you?
A: I’m an internal medicine doctor and former CMO [chief medical officer]. There’s no training to be an interim CEO. So, transitioning into spaces, such as business development, public policy and advocacy has been an adjustment. You’re going out, meeting people; you’re talking to elected officials.
Q: What prompted you to take on this new position?
A: I think I didn’t realize the skill set that I had to be CEO until I was given different responsibilities from our former CEO, in which I successfully completed. I was put into positions or situations where I had to make decisions for the organization that was beyond my chief medical officer responsibilities. I think that’s when I realized that I do have the skill set to be CEO.
Q: Can you give an overview of your new responsibilities?
A: Community engagement in the business development space with CEOs from community- based organizations and health systems in Syracuse, in which we discuss partnering to deliver quality care to our mutual patient populations. I have spent a great deal of time outside the four walls of SCH [Syracuse Community Health]. I have attended advocacy day in Washington, DC as well as the capital in Albany, advocating for the SCH.
Q: What do you see as the primary mission of the center?
A: To deliver equitable and affordable quality care to the disadvantaged, underserved, underprivileged and underinsured patient population. To provide optimal care to patients despite their ability to pay.
Q: What are your plans for the center moving forward?
A: My plan right now is really focused on integrated primary care, inclusive of behavioral health and dental. I think that model is appropriate for the complex patients that we see day to day. I also hope to create a one-stop shop in which patients can receive multiple clinical services on the same day.
Q: You’re in a new facility. How do you see that helping in providing the services that you do?
A: People are happy to be walking into a new facility, bright natural lighting and beautiful colors. Everything is new. The operation throughout for the patients is much easier to navigate. The clinical pods are designed for the clinical care team to work together rather than in private offices.
Q: What do you see as some of the biggest challenges that you and your staff at the center face, and overall, the medical care that’s provided in this community?
A: Zip code 13202 is the poorest zip code in New York state. You witness many patients with food insecurities and transportation barriers. When you’re trying to address someone’s blood pressure or diabetes, and they don’t have access to healthy options to food or transportation, it’s a challenge. Our goal now has been really focused on addressing food insecurity and transportation barriers so we can close the health care disparities and accomplish better outcomes for our patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes.
Q: There appears to be a shortage of primary care physicians in this area. Do you see the center as being able to help fill that gap, and if so, how?
A: Yes, I do. The Syracuse Community Health Center got approval for an ambulatory family medicine residency program. The residency program will allow us to hire four residents per year over the next three years for a total of 12 residents. Not only will our residency program decrease the primary care shortage for Syracuse Community Health, but it also has the potential to decrease shortages in Central New York. Some of those residents who train with us may consider practicing primary care at nearby institutions such as St. Joseph’s, Upstate Medical University, Crouse Health as well as far out to Oneida Health or Rome Health. I have high hopes a traditional ambulatory family medicine residency program will fill the gap in Central New York.