Profiles in Success

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Nancy Rongo, RN, MS

Cortland, NY
BS/MS Degree, Class of 1991

Inspired by Personal Tragedy, Rongo Commits to Nursing

Nancy Rongo resolved to become a nurse after her husband Mark died of lung cancer shortly after their second anniversary. "The care he received from nurses during his illness impressed and intrigued me. It was during this experience that I made the decision to return to school and pursue a nursing career."

Raising a young daughter at the time, Rongo found the inner strength to return to college and commit herself to an advanced degree. After completing her associate's in nursing, she was drawn to the CNS role and to SUNY Upstate.

Graduating in 1991 with her BS and MS degrees from Upstate, Rongo began work at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY in clinical and management roles, including oncology, surgery and inpatient hospice.  She became Director of Case Management, and later was named Director of Medical Management of its Managed Care Organization. In 2000, Rongo began work for United Health Services Hospitals, first as director of Care Management and Medical Social Work, and then as Vice President of Quality and Patient Safety since 2007. She provides strategic direction for improving clinical effectiveness and patient safety for all services at UHSH. Rongo is nursing board certified, and holds certification in advanced nursing administration and healthcare quality management.

In her advanced nursing administrative role, Rongo observes: "The health care delivery system has many complex processes. Nurses working in leadership roles today are faced with incredible challenges but also with tremendous opportunities. I enjoy working with interdisciplinary teams to improve processes that impact patient outcomes."

Rongo is president of the Family Health Network, and is current treasurer/trustee for the Cortland Regional Medical Center. She serves as secretary of the Twin Tier Heathcare Executive Association.

Remarried to Joe, with two daughters, Rongo enjoys golfing, gardening and traveling.