February 2026 Common Ground Newsletter

February 11, 2026

The boards of both organizations selected Carol Tegas, the current CEO of FLPPS, to lead the new entity after the retirement of Marlene Bessette, current CEO of Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO. Bessette will assist with the transition prior to her March 31st retirement. The finalization of the combination and Tegas’s appointment is planned for early April.

The newly combined organization will build on the strengths and experience of each entity. These include FLPPS’ skills improving healthcare delivery and health outcomes through collaborative partnerships, Rochester RHIO’s expertise providing a secure, quality-ensured health and social determinant information exchange, and Common Ground’s data analysis, convening and community-engagement experience. Rochester RHIO and Common Ground combined in 2024.

Melissa Gardner, Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO board chair and president and COO of the Rochester Regional Health Clinically Integrated Network, said, “This is an exciting time in healthcare in our region, as FLPPS and Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO come together to improve our health delivery system. Our two boards of directors could not have made a better choice to lead this organization into the future than Carol Tegas.”

Kathy Parrinello, FLPPS board co-chair and Strong Memorial Hospital/Highland Hospital president and CEO, said, “FLPPS is a valuable partner to clinicians and communities, working collaboratively to enhance healthcare delivery in our region. By joining forces with Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO, these nonprofit entities will be stronger together. They will be better aligned and well-positioned to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the partners and communities we serve.”

An accomplished and visionary healthcare executive, Tegas has more than 35 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit strategic planning and governance. 

“I am honored and humbled that the boards of directors have chosen me to lead this combined organization,” Tegas said. “Each of these organizations is integral to improving healthcare across the Finger Lakes region. Together, we will be in an even stronger position to further transform health delivery. I look forward to building on the tremendous work that Common Ground-Rochester RHIO leaders—including Marlene Bessette and former co-CEO Wade Norwood—have done before me.” 

We value the trust and partnership you place in our organizations and are committed to keeping you informed as this process moves forward. We believe this planned combination gives us an opportunity to make an even greater impact on the health of the communities we collectively serve. 

Thank you for your partnership,
Your friends at Common Ground Health-Rochester RHIO and FLPPS