Melissa Wendland brings three decades of healthcare experience and institutional knowledge to her work as director of strategic initiatives. In this role, she has led numerous communitywide leadership tables with a particular focus on healthcare issues affecting older adults, workforce and rural communities.
In 2012, Wendland helped coordinate the successful submission of a $26.6 million clinical innovation grant for the Finger Lakes region. Funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the grant helped to reduce hospital admissions and ED visits by improving primary care and integrating community services. In 2011, she led a team of hospitals and home care agencies on behalf of the community to receive a $3.2 million award from CMS that worked to improve care transitions for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries.
Wendland spearheaded this work by informing content and driving the process to leverage and mobilize resources for projects. She is adept at building and maintaining trusting and collaborative relationships among a variety of community partners.
An accomplished facilitator, she has participated in improvisational facilitation techniques through the Northeast Chapter of the Applied Improvisation Network. Affiliated with the worldwide Applied Improvisation Network, this regional group includes members from across New York, New England, New Jersey and Eastern Canada.
Wendland serves on the boards of the New York State Association for Rural Health, Episcopal Senior Life and Huther Doyle, and she is a County Legislature-appointed advisor to Monroe Community Hospital.
Outside of her work, she plans to complete the 46 Adirondack High Peaks and to hike the Appalachian Trail, and she is ordained as a wedding officiant.
