Michele Foster, Executive Director
Michele is the Executive Director for the S2AY Rural Health Network. She oversees and reports on the organization’s results for board of directors. She is responsible for planning, organization, and direction of the organization’s operations and programs. She connects with funders and other partners to ensure the Network is meeting the needs of the region.
Michele has her Master of Public Administration (MPA) and brings a wealth of experience to S2AY with working in nonprofit and public health; with the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health; and global pharmaceutical companies.
FUN FACT: Michele has no cavities and worked at The National Zoo!
Kimberly Arnold, Quality Improvement Coordinator
Kim is the Quality Improvement Coordinator for the S2AY Network. Kim focuses on the use and integration of performance management and quality improvement processes to improve and better the work of the S2AY Network health departments as well as S2AY regional workgroups. When opportunities for improvement are identified, Kim facilitates regional quality improvement projects. Kim also wears a cultural competence/health literacy hat and works to infuse the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) into the work of the S2AY Network region. Kim is currently completing a Results-Based Accountability Professional Certification to strengthen her ability to help health departments and S2AY increase internal capacity, improve performance, and create measurable results to improve health outcomes for our rural communities.
Kim, a graduate of Binghamton University, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She has spent most of her 27 years as a nurse in public health, working for local health departments as a communicable disease nurse, public health educator and a supervising public health nurse. She has worked with S2AY in a capacity to support local health departments for the last 12 years.
FUN FACT: Kim has eaten a whole food plant-based diet since January 2019!
Jennifer Hatch, Program Manager
Jennifer is our Program Manager. Jennifer's role at S2AY is to implement and supervise active grant work plans including coordinating activities and campaigns, arranging and facilitating meetings, and bringing together community partners to accomplish joint objectives.
Jennifer has over 9 years of experience with public health programs and clinical research, with a focus on community health and prevention. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Massachusetts.
FUN FACT: As a kid, she was taught by her grandma how to make gnocchi and now makes different varieties of her own homemade pasta.
Theresa Lahr, Project Coordinator
Theresa is the Project Coordinator for Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions (STEPS), an asset-based Neighborhood Health Status Improvement Initiative sponsored by the network and funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. STEPS’ project goal is to improve health outcomes of residents in the four most southern towns of Seneca County.
Theresa provides leadership in planning and implementation of the grassroots, resident-driven STEPS project and assists in evaluating community-based strategies that support healthy behaviors and improved outcomes associated with the Social Determinants of Health. She collaborates with community partners to support residents in carrying out their self-identified health promotion strategies and activities.
Prior to joining the network in 2008, Theresa served as a state-wide Agri-Business Child Development Health Specialist advancing equity and addressing health disparities for migrants and families experiencing low socio-economic status. Other health and human services roles include leadership and direct care with disenfranchised groups such as those experiencing mental health and substance abuse disorders and homelessness. A position held as an educator for the NYS Department of Health Cancer Services Program led to keen awareness of the racial differences and disparities in cancer care and outcomes, as well as a passion for addressing health disparities.
For 13 years Theresa worked as nurse in an Internal Medicine practice, witnessing first-hand how the context in which services were provided directly impacted the patient’s health outcomes. In addition to formal health and human services education, she holds a Family Development Credential from Cornell and is a Wellness Program Coordinator certified with the National Wellness Institute and WebMD. She is passionate about advancing equity and proud to work with the community and its residents as they continue to build upon the successful work launched in 2013.
FUN FACT: Redheads make up just 1-2 % of the population. And no, Theresa does not dye her hair!
Kim Pollack, Community Engagement Specialist
Kristin Parry, STEPS Media and Community Outreach Specialist
Kristin is the Media and Outreach Specialist for STEPS who spends her time helping STEPS achieve its’ project objectives in the areas of promotion, communications, and community outreach with resident engagement. Kristin organizes and coordinates fluidity across social media platforms keeping the residents in the STEPS neighborhood engaged in healthy activities.
FUN FACT: Kristin's spirit animal is Stitch.
Michele is the Executive Director for the S2AY Rural Health Network. She oversees and reports on the organization’s results for board of directors. She is responsible for planning, organization, and direction of the organization’s operations and programs. She connects with funders and other partners to ensure the Network is meeting the needs of the region.
Michele has her Master of Public Administration (MPA) and brings a wealth of experience to S2AY with working in nonprofit and public health; with the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health; and global pharmaceutical companies.
FUN FACT: Michele has no cavities and worked at The National Zoo!
Kimberly Arnold, Quality Improvement Coordinator
Kim is the Quality Improvement Coordinator for the S2AY Network. Kim focuses on the use and integration of performance management and quality improvement processes to improve and better the work of the S2AY Network health departments as well as S2AY regional workgroups. When opportunities for improvement are identified, Kim facilitates regional quality improvement projects. Kim also wears a cultural competence/health literacy hat and works to infuse the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) into the work of the S2AY Network region. Kim is currently completing a Results-Based Accountability Professional Certification to strengthen her ability to help health departments and S2AY increase internal capacity, improve performance, and create measurable results to improve health outcomes for our rural communities.
Kim, a graduate of Binghamton University, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She has spent most of her 27 years as a nurse in public health, working for local health departments as a communicable disease nurse, public health educator and a supervising public health nurse. She has worked with S2AY in a capacity to support local health departments for the last 12 years.
FUN FACT: Kim has eaten a whole food plant-based diet since January 2019!
Jennifer Hatch, Program Manager
Jennifer is our Program Manager. Jennifer's role at S2AY is to implement and supervise active grant work plans including coordinating activities and campaigns, arranging and facilitating meetings, and bringing together community partners to accomplish joint objectives.
Jennifer has over 9 years of experience with public health programs and clinical research, with a focus on community health and prevention. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Massachusetts.
FUN FACT: As a kid, she was taught by her grandma how to make gnocchi and now makes different varieties of her own homemade pasta.
Theresa Lahr, Project Coordinator
Theresa is the Project Coordinator for Seneca Towns Engaging People for Solutions (STEPS), an asset-based Neighborhood Health Status Improvement Initiative sponsored by the network and funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. STEPS’ project goal is to improve health outcomes of residents in the four most southern towns of Seneca County.
Theresa provides leadership in planning and implementation of the grassroots, resident-driven STEPS project and assists in evaluating community-based strategies that support healthy behaviors and improved outcomes associated with the Social Determinants of Health. She collaborates with community partners to support residents in carrying out their self-identified health promotion strategies and activities.
Prior to joining the network in 2008, Theresa served as a state-wide Agri-Business Child Development Health Specialist advancing equity and addressing health disparities for migrants and families experiencing low socio-economic status. Other health and human services roles include leadership and direct care with disenfranchised groups such as those experiencing mental health and substance abuse disorders and homelessness. A position held as an educator for the NYS Department of Health Cancer Services Program led to keen awareness of the racial differences and disparities in cancer care and outcomes, as well as a passion for addressing health disparities.
For 13 years Theresa worked as nurse in an Internal Medicine practice, witnessing first-hand how the context in which services were provided directly impacted the patient’s health outcomes. In addition to formal health and human services education, she holds a Family Development Credential from Cornell and is a Wellness Program Coordinator certified with the National Wellness Institute and WebMD. She is passionate about advancing equity and proud to work with the community and its residents as they continue to build upon the successful work launched in 2013.
FUN FACT: Redheads make up just 1-2 % of the population. And no, Theresa does not dye her hair!
Kim Pollack, Community Engagement Specialist
Kristin Parry, STEPS Media and Community Outreach Specialist
Kristin is the Media and Outreach Specialist for STEPS who spends her time helping STEPS achieve its’ project objectives in the areas of promotion, communications, and community outreach with resident engagement. Kristin organizes and coordinates fluidity across social media platforms keeping the residents in the STEPS neighborhood engaged in healthy activities.
FUN FACT: Kristin's spirit animal is Stitch.
