LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Jerry Cayer spent nine years leading Lewis County Health System through a pandemic, a rebrand, and the largest modernization in the organization\u2019s 90-year history. <\/p>\n
He retired last Tuesday and is looking back on what changed \u2014 and what it took to get there.<\/p>\n
From general hospital to health system<\/p>\n
When Cayer took over as CEO in 2017, the organization was known as Lewis County General Hospital. The board\u2019s primary goals at the time were to revitalize the medical-surgical unit and expand access to primary care. It didn\u2019t take long for Cayer to see a bigger picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that time it was Lewis County General Hospital. It became very clear to me, we are so much more than a general hospital, and it was this rebranding or doing business as Lewis County Health System, because there are several pieces,\u201d Cayer said.<\/p>\n
Pandemic, maternity ward and growth<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic hit during Cayer\u2019s tenure, leading to a two-year pause of the hospital\u2019s maternity ward. The ward reopened in 2023, and the numbers have grown steadily since.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat first year, if I remember correctly, we might have had about 65 deliveries. But this year, as of last week, we were over 160 deliveries, with quite a line-up for the next several months,\u201d Cayer said.<\/p>\n
$32 million modernization<\/p>\n
Cayer also oversaw the revitalization of the hospital\u2019s medical-surgical and critical care units and the construction of a new surgical pavilion \u2014 a $32 million investment and the largest modernization in the health system\u2019s 90-year history.<\/p>\n
Looking back, Cayer said the accomplishments belong to more than just his leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard a lot of \u2018thank yous\u2019 and \u2018atta boys,\u2019 but at the end of the day, you\u2019re only as good as your board, and I think our health system has been blessed with an incredibly engaged board,\u201d Cayer said.<\/p>\n
New CEO named<\/p>\n
Jeffery Hellinger has been named the health system\u2019s new CEO. Hellinger previously served as the organization\u2019s chief financial officer.<\/p>\n
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