Community leader and New York State Regent Wade Norwood will succeed Trilby de Jung as CEO of Common Ground Health, the region’s health planning organization.
Currently chief strategy officer for Common Ground Health, Norwood brings to the position more than three decades of service in public office, education and regional health improvement. His appointment, effective July 13, was unanimously approved by the Common Ground Health Board of Directors in January, following the resignation of de Jung, who will rejoin her family in Portland, Oregon, after her youngest son graduates from high school.
“We will be saddened to say goodbye to Trilby; she has been an absolutely wonderful CEO,” said Marilyn Dollinger, board chair of Common Ground Health. “She is an incredibly articulate communicator and gifted leader, skilled at bringing together diverse partners and helping them find common ground. Never one to seek the spotlight, Trilby always gives credit where credit is due, letting our collaborators know how deeply their community efforts are appreciated.”
“We are also exceedingly fortunate to have among the ranks such a trusted and inspirational leader as Wade Norwood,” said Dollinger. “He’s a community organizing expert. As we seek to more effectively address the social determinants of health, such as poverty, poor housing and lack of education, we need a person with exactly Wade’s strengths—someone who can mobilize the community and bring us together to solve important health challenges.”
In management at Common Ground Health since 2006, Norwood has been central to the strategic direction of the nonprofit and a consistent advocate for those most at risk. He is well respected regionally and statewide, noted Dollinger. He co-chairs the state’s workgroup on the health care workforce, serves on the Board of Regents and has deep and positive relationships with key offices in Albany, thanks to his two decades in state politics before joining Common Ground Health.
Closer to home, Wade plays a leadership role on Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle’s cross-sector effort to integrate services and data for families impacted by poverty. He has a seat at the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Commission and is a decision maker for All Kids Thrive, a cross-sector initiative developing innovative early childhood interventions through Medicaid and education funding.
CEO of Common Ground Health since 2014, Trilby de Jung has led an organization with an annual budget of more than $6.5 million and a team of 40 data analysts, clinicians, researchers, community engagement specialists and other staff. Prior to joining the nonprofit, de Jung directed health advocacy work at the Empire Justice Center, served on the faculty at New York University School of Law, and was deputy director of policy at the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health.
Over her four year tenure at Common Ground Health, the organization has made important strides. Under her leadership:
- Common Ground Health leveraged more than $33 million in federal and state funding for clinical innovation, training over 1,200 physicians, nurses, care managers and other clinical staff in quality improvement.
- Partnering with organizations in the Finger Lakes, Common Ground Health launched the Southern Tier Alliance and other high level planning initiatives on health care workforce, food and health, and regional leadership.
- Through its Healthi Kids initiative, Common Ground Health has supported healthy eating and active living in schools and helped push through policies to ensure that Rochester street design encourages bicycling, walking and transit use.
- Partnering with the business community, Common Ground Health managed interventions in primary care practices, workplaces, churches, barbershops and salons that have contributed to steady improvement in blood pressure control across the community.
- The nonprofit earned national certification as a Great Place to Work and changed its name from Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency to Common Ground Health to reflect its collaborative approach to improving health.
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