HFM BOCES recognized a pair of healthcare agencies for their exceptional business partnership at the organization’s Annual Meeting held on April 10 at the HFM BOCES Career & Technical Education Center.
More than 70 component school board members, district leaders, and the BOCES administrative team were in attendance as HFM honored Nathan Littauer Hospital and St. Mary’s Healthcare for their commitment to helping advance the futures of students enrolled in CTE. Principal Michael DiMezza presented representatives of each organization with plaques to mark the occasion.
“When we have an outstanding business partner with CTE, it is important to recognize that they are also an outstanding business partner to our entire region. St. Mary’s Healthcare and Nathan Littauer Hospital are pillars to the success of our healthcare programs and are pivotal in the wellness of our entire community,” stated DiMezza.
According to HFM BOCES Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Jay DeTraglia, both organizations have provided students of the HFM region with experiences including internships, work studies, clinical rotations, and ultimately employment. He also highlighted their participation on program advisory committees along with program reviews to ensure HFM BOCES is fully preparing students for healthcare careers.
“Our long-standing partnerships with Nathan Littauer Hospital and St. Mary’s Healthcare have provided our students with invaluable experiences in the high demand healthcare field, and we truly value and appreciate our collaboration with both,” said DeTraglia.
The partnership doesn’t end with HFM CTE, though. Each organization also works closely with HFM PTECH students to provide guidance for professional skills development and workplace tours.
During the meeting HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. David Ziskin also delivered his state of the BOCES address and gave an overview of next year’s proposed administrative HFM BOCES budget.
Three candidates were also nominated to serve on the HFM BOCES Board of Education and were given the opportunity to address the component board members in attendance. The candidates include current members Matthew Sullivan and Rebecca Cozzocrea, and newcomer Vanessa DiNitto.
DiNitto, who was nominated by the Mayfield Central School District, has served on the Mayfield board for nearly six years and is the current vice president. Upon election, all candidates will serve three year terms beginning July 1, 2024.
Component school district board members will have the opportunity to elect the candidates later this month. Earlier this year it was announced that board member Carmen Caraco will not seek re-election. Caraco has served as a member of the HFM board for seven years.
Guests at the annual meeting were treated to dinner, dessert and mocktails, which were prepared by CTE students enrolled in the Culinary Arts and Foundations of Food Services programs.
