Board of Directors
Garnet Health Board of Directors
Meet the members of our Garnet Health Board of Directors:
Virginia Rizzo - Chair
Virginia “Ginny” Rizzo is the retired owner and president of Eclat, a management and human resources consulting firm. She is also Vice President of Rizzo, Inc., a commercial moving company and also serves as a Director for Orange Bank and Trust Company. Having provided her experience and expertise as a Director of OB and TC for 18 years, Mrs. Rizzo has also worked on a volunteer basis with various Orange County non-profits, including Leadership Orange, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Women of Achievement as well as supporting the Girl Scouts of America and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).
She previously served as Chairwoman of the Board for Garnet Health Medical Center and Garnet Health from 2008-2010 and was Chairwoman when Garnet Health Medical Center, formerly known as Orange Regional Medical Center, broke ground for the new hospital.
Mrs. Rizzo spent 24 years with International Paper’s Corporate Research Center in Tuxedo, NY, a Fortune 50 corporation and the world’s largest paper company. During those years, she advanced from a research and development scientist to a number of managerial positions in training, development and human resources and retired as Laboratory Director, overseeing the research center.
Bonnie J. Orr, CPA – Vice Chair and Treasurer
Bonnie J. Orr has over 40 years of experience in tax and accounting and is a Partner with PKF O’Connor Davies LLP and PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC. Prior, she was a shareholder of JGS, CPA, P.C.
In addition to providing tax and accounting advice to a wide range of closely held businesses, Ms. Orr specializes in the area of estates and trusts. She works closely with clients and their attorneys, providing estate and personal tax planning strategies to help maximize the transfer of wealth to future generations, and provide for a long and comfortable retirement without losing sight of a client’s current financial needs.
Ms. Orr has worked extensively in the complex areas of the generation skipping tax, living trusts, life insurance trusts, personal residence trusts, charitable remainder trusts, special needs trusts and family limited partnerships.
Currently serving as an officer and board member of several local charities, Ms. Orr is also a past president of the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council.
Ms. Orr has a Bachelor of Science degree from LeMoyne College and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Sassi DNP, RN - Secretary
Elizabeth (Lisa) Sassi DNP, RN is the district nursing coordinator for the Monroe -Woodbury Central School District. She also serves as the Monroe-Woodbury medical coordinator districtwide for the Emergency Response Team and Healthy Schools Committee and is a former K- 6 health education department chairperson as well as being on their Institutional Review Board.
Dr. Sassi is a member of the Orange County Crisis Team for Critical Incident and Stress Management and a former member of the Orange County Medical Reserve Corps. She has been a registered nurse since 1983, and has worked as a clinical instructor and as a member of the adjunct faculty at Orange County Community College School of Nursing. Dr. Sassi is a former ICU and recovery room nurse who worked in Orange and Rockland counties and on Staten Island as well as having worked as a nurse practitioner in occupational medicine practices.
She is a New York State school nurse teacher and an adult and pediatric nurse practitioner.
Dr. Sassi earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Robert Morris University, her MSN from Western Connecticut, and her BSN from Pace University.
Jonathan Schiller - Ex Officio
Jonathan Schiller is President and CEO of Garnet Health, a three-hospital healthcare delivery system including primary, urgent and multispecialty physician practices with multiple locations throughout New York’s mid-Hudson Valley. He previously served as President and CEO of Oneida Health. Prior to joining Oneida Health, Jonathan served as CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills from 2017-2022, providing executive leadership for our Harris and Callicoon hospital campuses, as well as health system-wide executive support for the Hospitalist, Intensivist, Psychiatry and Emergency Management services.
He originally joined Garnet Health in 2004 as Administrator of Revenue Cycle Management and was later promoted to Vice President and Site Administrator of the Arden Hill Hospital Campus. In 2009, he was promoted to Vice President of Hospital Operations in which he oversaw operations on the Arden Hill Hospital and Horton Medical Center Campuses in addition to providing organizational leadership to multiple ancillary departments. After overseeing the relocation of those two hospital campuses into one new hospital building in 2011, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in which he oversaw daily operation of Garnet Health Medical Center.
Prior to joining Garnet Health, Mr. Schiller was the Director of Patient Accounting at New York University Medical Center, and a member of Cap Gemini, Ernst and Young's national healthcare consulting practice, with specific areas of focus in hospital revenue cycle management and financial turn-around projects. He volunteers his time as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, Sullivan 180, and Christ Health Care Ministry. Mr. Schiller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Services from LeMoyne College and has Master of Health Systems Administration degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
Dory H. Alport
Dory H. Alport is the President of A. Alport & Son, Inc in Fallsburg, NY. There she leads daily operations including business development, sales, marketing, inventory management, delivery schedules, and customer service, as well as managing her staff of 20 employees.
She received her Masters of Business Administration at the University of New Hampshire, and holds organizational affiliations as Secretary and Board of Director, Member of Executive Committee, Chair of the Trade Show Committee at the Builders Association of the Hudson Valley.
Jay Anthony
Jay Anthony, owner of Anthony Property Group, LLC, is an experienced business and technology executive, as well as a dedicated community leader with extensive board governance experience. As part-owner and former Vice President & CIO of QLT Consumer Lease Services, Mr. Anthony was responsible for overseeing the company’s entire IT infrastructure and applications, supporting a $30 million residential telephone leasing business. He previously held various roles with AT&T/Lucent Technologies, where he excelled in positions such as Business Planning Director, Budget Director, and District Manager for IT, overseeing global projects including the Y2K transition and technology initiatives across AT&T's retail operations.
With his strategic expertise, Mr. Anthony has served in various roles where he has been instrumental in shaping community and philanthropic organizations. Notably, he recently served as Board Chair for the Garnet Health Foundation, contributing to healthcare advancements through fundraising and advocacy. Mr. Anthony is also a board member for the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, where he supports impactful local charitable initiatives, and he serves on the Independent Support Services board, assisting individuals with developmental disabilities through self-directed, individualized support services.
Mr. Anthony's commitment to community service is reflected in his work with various other boards, including the SUNY Orange Bridges Program Advisory Board, where he supported education and independence for students with developmental disabilities, and the Pine Bush Central School District, where he served as Board President, overseeing a $100 million budget and policy development.
Recognized for his leadership, Mr. Anthony has received numerous awards, including Garnet Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Leadership Award in 2024; AT&T's prestigious Summit Award; the Orange County Soccer Officials Chris G. Cheches Award; the Mental Health Association of Orange County's Silver Bell Award, and many more.
His time and talent include not only his business accomplishments but also his deep commitment to enhancing his community and supporting people with unique needs.
Heidi Hahn-Schroeder
Heidi Hahn-Schroeder DNP, RN is Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing. In addition to serving as Assistant Dean, Dr. Hahn-Schroeder is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of the Masters Direct Entry and Advanced Clinical Management and Leadership programs.
Dr. Hahn-Schroeder has been a registered nurse since 1992, working at a major academic institution in New York City, as well as community hospitals and home care. Dr. Hahn-Schroeder is the first nurse serving as a board member for Garnet Health Medical Center. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Sacred Heart University. She holds an AS-Nursing from Rockland Community College, earned her BSN from SUNY Delhi, and her MSN Ed. Norwich University.
Russ Heyman
Russ Heyman is an independent insurance broker and the founder of Misner Benefits, LLC, a firm specializing in health and welfare benefit programs for companies throughout the Hudson Valley. He is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida. In his role with Misner Benefits, Mr. Heyman has presented innovative solutions for cost-effective programs for his clients, including designing self-funded health plans. Mr. Heyman received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Albany.
Mr. Hayman currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Federal Credit Union. He previously served on the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees in many roles, including a two-year term as Chairman, and was a member of the Board of Directors for New Hope Community, a not-for-profit agency serving the needs of individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.
Ronald Israelski, MD
Ronald Israelski, MD is a board-certified orthopedic/hand microvascular surgeon. He is a graduate of New York Medical College in New York City, where he also completed his orthopedic surgical residency. Dr. Israelski completed a hand microvascular fellowship at the Hospital for Joint Disease/NYU where he served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU, and is currently Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at TouroCOM.
After his fellowship, Dr. Israelski partnered with Orange Regional Medical Center (now Garnet Health) to build the first Bone and Joint Center between New York City and Albany and served as its first Medical Director. In addition, he was Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics for over a decade and helped to set the standard for orthopedics of specialty care in the Hudson Valley.
Passionate about teaching, Dr. Israelski was the driving-force to bring the Touro medical school to the Hudson Valley. He was also the key player in developing Garnet Health’s Graduate Medical Education program, which has grown to seven residency programs including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, neurology and a transitional rotating internship. He also initiated an education foundation which raised $750,000 to support residents and attendings, and was the chairman of the medical staff capital campaign to build a new medical center.
Dr. Israelski founded the 501c3 not for profit ‘Orthopaedic Relief Services International’(ORSI) with a goal to provide clinical, educational, and infrastructural support to the Haitian state hospital system. He is currently the President and Surgical Team Leader of ORSI. His current focus is disaster responsiveness in the Ukraine war where he recently travelled to start a program manufacturing 14,000 tourniquets to be sent to the front lines.
A recipient of numerous local and national academic, clinical, community and humanitarian awards, much of Dr. Israelski’s expertise, knowledge, skill and talent is devoted to medical education, humanitarian work and clinical practice which she still maintains in Goshen, New York.
He is married to his wife Mary and has three adult children.
Phillip L. Massengill, MD, FACS
Phillip Massengill, MD joined the Medical Staff at Garnet Health Medical Center's Horton Campus in 2006. He is a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP in Middletown, New York. Dr. Massengill attended Medical School at Boston University School of Medicine, performed his Surgical Internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC and completed his Residency in a combined training program with Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington and the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also served as Chief Resident at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. After completing his residency, Dr. Massengill was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and subsequently deployed as the Battalion Surgeon for the 3/504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Massengill is Board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He is a Board member of the New York State Society of Otolaryngologists and is a member of the Medical Society of Orange County, New York. Dr. Massengill has several published works, honors and military awards. He has served in several medical staff leadership positions which include Chair, EENT Department and Vice-President and President of the Medical Staff at Garnet Health Medical Center. He was the recipient of the 2016 Physician Recognition Leadership Award.
Timothy McCausland
Timothy McCausland is a private practicing attorney and retired Team Leader - Managing Director with Webster Bank in Middletown. Prior to joining Webster Bank, Mr. McCausland was at Sterling National Bank and spent over a decade in various senior roles at Orange Bank & Trust Company, ending his tenure there as Managing Director of Private Banking. Prior to his time at Orange Bank & Trust, he was President & CEO of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development in Monticello, New York.
Mr. McCausland obtained his Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations. Additionally, Mr. McCausland is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School.
Susan Murray-Tetz
Susan Murray-Tetz worked as the Orange-Ulster BOCES Activation Coordinator for the Orange-Ulster BOCES Countywide Mental Health Crisis Team. Previously, she was the Coordinator of Mental Health for Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen, New York, overseeing the departments of: Speech, Physical Therapy, Counseling and Occupational Therapy for students in Special Education and the delivery of related services. Prior to her career, Ms. Murray-Tetz earned a Master’s degree in Social Work at Fordham University. She also holds a Certificate in Advanced Study in Educational Administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Ms. Murray-Tetz currently holds professional affiliations as a Member of the Orange County Youth Board, as Chair of Allocations Committee since 1977, and as Chair of Luncheon/Dinner Awards Committee since 1982. In 2000, Ms. Murray-Tetz received NYS Office of Children and Families’ Outstanding Community-Based Board Member recognition, as well as the New York State Senate: Woman of Distinction Award in 2004, among many other awards and recognitions throughout her career.
Stephen Scott
Stephen Scott is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Walden Savings Bank and has nearly 20 years’ experience in the banking industry. Prior to joining Walden Savings Bank, Mr. Scott served as Chief Operating Officer of Salisbury Bank & Trust, based in Lakeville, CT.
Throughout his career, his responsibilities have included business planning and implementation, coordinating and directing daily activities of multiple banking departments such as loan administration and servicing, deposit operations, information technology, customer support, retail operations and more. Mr. Scott has experience managing 14 full-service retail bank branch locations across Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
Mr. Scott attended the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Western Connecticut State University’s Ancell School. His education also includes programs through the Connecticut Bankers Association on advanced financial services, commercial lending and consumer lending and has served on several executive leadership committees.
Bhargav A. Vyas, Ed.D.
Bhargav A. Vyas is an Assistant Superintendent for Compliance and Information Systems at Monroe-Woodbury Central School District. Mr. Vyas provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust, and secure information technology environment throughout the school district. He has been a pioneer educational technology leader for over 20 years. His expertise in the field of network infrastructure, cyber security, district leadership and supporting students and staff has showcased through his progressive career.
Prior to joining Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, Mr. Vyas was a director of technology for Orange-Ulster BOCES supporting network infrastructure for 25 school districts. He recently completed his doctorate in educational leadership at Fordham University. He holds a Master of Science degrees in Educational Leadership and Administration, Education, Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.