Nuvance names new president at Sharon Hospital

Christina McCulloch was appointed new president at Sharon Hospital.
Photo by Marina Ballantine
SHARON — Nuvance Health appointed Christina McCulloch as the new president of Sharon Hospital, replacing Dr. Mark Hirko, who has held the post since December of 2019.
McCulloch, a long-time Litchfield County resident, has worked with the hospital for more than eight years, most recently serving as its chief nursing officer.
In making the announcement on Wednesday, June 8, Sharon Hospital’s parent company, which owns a network of hospitals in Western Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, said McCulloch will begin her new role in the coming weeks. President Hirko will remain part of the Sharon Hospital leadership team in an advisory role as he transitions to serve as the full-time president of Putnam Hospital in Carmel, New York.
“We are re-affirming our commitment to the communities we serve by appointing a unique leadership team at each of our hospitals,” said Dr. John Murphy, president and CEO of Nuvance Health. “We know Christina is the right candidate to lead the hospital at this pivotal moment in healthcare.
“Christina’s extensive educational background, deep experience as a clinician and time as a trusted leader rising through the ranks at Sharon Hospital have proven her unyielding commitment to high-quality, compassionate patient care.”
A tumultuous time in the hospital’s history
The transition in leadership at Sharon Hospital comes at a time of transformation and controversy for the 78-bed community hospital. In September 2021, Nuvance Health and Sharon Hospital announced plans to shutter its Labor and Delivery Unit and pare down the facility’s intensive care unit to a progressive care unit.
That decision resulted in a swift and fierce outcry from the community, an investigation by the state and a grassroots effort to force the hospital, which also serves Dutchess and Columbia Counties in New York, to maintain its full-service status.
McCulloch said she is confident that the planned transformation will strengthen services identified as the community’s greatest areas of need, while connecting patients with advance care and services offered within the Nuvance Health System.
McCulloch, who has played a central role in the transformation plan from its earliest planning stages, said she will continue partnering with Hirko to ensure that the hospital remains sustainable and vibrant within the community for future generations.
“Our end goal is positive,” noted McCulloch.
More than 180 rural and community hospitals have closed in the United States since 2005, and The Center for Health Care Quality and Payment Reform had identified Sharon Hospital at a “high risk for closing.”
McCulloch, who has three daughters – a set of twins, age 12, and a 13-year-old – said she understands that the hospital’s decision to cut services, particularly labor and delivery, is a controversial one. “Sometimes the decisions that have to be made are very hard and definitely we all understand how important these services have been to the community.”
The hospital’s new leader added that, while not everyone may agree with the plan, she is determined to foster trust and enhance communication by “continuing to be transparent and connected, and to listen to the perspectives of others.”
Career began at the bedside
McCulloch has been a clinician for nearly two decades and has worked at Sharon Hospital since 2014, serving as director of nursing, director of quality and performance improvement, and chief quality officer.
She previously worked at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury and Griffin Hospital in Derby, where she began her career at the bedside as a staff nurse. McCulloch has a Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Western Connecticut State University, and an Associate Degree in Nursing From St. Vincent’s College.
“My career as both a registered nurse and as a clinical leader at Sharon Hospital has shown me how truly special our community is,” said McCulloch. The new hospital president said the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic further heightened her respect and admiration for her colleagues.
“The thing I am most proud of is the staff at Sharon Hospital, the way they came together and cared for the community…it was humbling to see. But I certainly hope it is something we don’t have to ever experience again.”
Hirko thanked Sharon Hospital’s patients and staff for trusting his leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as a steward of “this invaluable community resource.”
He said he has no doubt that McCulloch “is the best person to continue this commitment to our community. I have witnessed first-hand her dedication to our staff and patients, as well as her skill as a capable leader with a rare talent for remaining calm and forward-looking, even in times of crisis.”
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.