The Mount recently appointed lifelong Newburgh resident Genesis Ramos as executive director of the Desmond Center for Community Engagement and Wellness.
"It's an amazing opportunity that the college is embarking on and it's truly an honor to be at the helm of it," said Ramos. "There is a critical need for this in our community."
The Desmond Center will be located on the college's campus in what is currently Guzman Hall and will provide medical and educational services for low income individuals and families, including the uninsured. The center will offer educational workshops, family counseling services, fitness checks, immunizations, professional development events, and more for local residents. It will also house the college's Desmond programing for adult enrichment.
As the executive director of the Desmond Center, Ramos will oversee the staffing, program development, and community outreach, among other responsibilities. The position is a perfect fit for her, she notes, because of her background in healthcare administration and her desire to serve the city she loves.
"Newburgh is home and near and dear to my heart," said Ramos, who recently became the first woman of color elected to the Orange County Legislature. "A lot of this is about the invaluable experience I've been able to gain over the past decade and really wanting to bring it back home. I want to elevate our community and the healthcare outcomes in our community."
Community has always been important to Ramos. In addition to being elected to the Orange County State Legislature, she currently serves as chair of the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission; co-chair of the Economic Development Committee in Newburgh; and as a member of both the Safe Harbors of the Hudson Board of Directors and the Newburgh Ministry's Board of Directors.
George Abaunza, vice president for Academic Affairs at the Mount, headed the search committee for the Desmond Center position. Ramos's knowledge of, and commitment to, the Newburgh community made her an excellent fit for the role, Abaunza noted.
"Ms. Ramos has the skills necessary to help make this new venture successful for both the college and the local community," he said.
Ramos comes to the Mount from Sun River Healthcare, formerly known as Hudson River Healthcare. She holds a Master of Public Administration with a Public Management Concentration from Marist College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Human Services Concentration from SUNY New Paltz; and an Associate of Science in Human Services from SUNY Orange.