UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health has announced the appointment of Lara Chatel Turbide, MS, as Chief Operating Officer, for the health system effective July 8. Turbide will succeed Frank Korich, MBA, RRT, FACHE, who will be retiring in July from UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health after more than 31 years of service in various leadership roles. He has served as Chief Operating Officer for the last five years.
Korich led numerous construction, renovation, and modernization projects throughout the health system including the $56 million Geneva General Hospital Modernization and Expansion Project in 2013. He provided oversight of the energy initiatives and has also been instrumental in the upgrades of key imaging technology. In addition, Korich has been actively involved with group purchasing organizational changes and provided administrative oversight of the 340B program roll-out and expansion.
Jose Acevedo, MD, MBA, President & CEO, UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health comments “We are extremely grateful for Frank’s commitment and contributions over his 31 years of service. We wish him the very best on his well-deserved retirement.”
In her new role, Turbide will be responsible for the operations of Surgical Services, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Diagnostic Imaging, Facilities Management, Materials Management, 16 Primary Care and Specialty Physician Practices, and two Urgent Care locations.
Acevedo states “An important aspect of high-performing organizations such as UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health involves succession planning and recognizing the contributions of our valued leaders. Lara has demonstrated her commitment and dedication to the organization for over 27 years, during which time she has played an integral role in our success and growth. Her strategic thinking, understanding of the healthcare industry, and leadership skills position her well to oversee and implement the daily operations of UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health.”
Turbide joined Finger Lakes Health in 1997, was promoted to Vice President, Community Services in 2002, and named Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Health Foundation in 2012.
Turbide led the successful capital campaign for the $56 million Geneva General Hospital Modernization and Expansion Project in 2013 for our new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, operating rooms, and all private patient rooms. Turbide directed the planning and marketing strategies for the health system and supported the launch and growth of services including the Finger Lakes Surgery Center and many outpatient physician practices. She launched the inaugural Finger Lakes Health website and oversaw health system communications and media relations.
Since 2004, Turbide has served on the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Community Health Improvement Task Force. She led Finger Lakes Health’s Community Health
Improvement Plans collaborating with Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties Public Health Departments.
Turbide has served on the Downtown Revitalization Committee for Geneva; the City of Geneva Comprehensive Plan Committee; Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union Board; and the Geneva
City School District Strategic Planning Committee. Her past community leadership positions included Chair of the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Geneva; Treasurer of Success for Geneva’s Children; Chair of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce Geneva Athena Award, Leadership Geneva; and Chair of the March of Dimes Finger Lakes Walk for Babies and Mother of the Year Award.
She was recognized in 2008 with the Athena International Leadership Award by the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce.
Turbide received her Master of Science in Education degree from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, and her Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors of Government and Sociology from St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY. In 2024, she earned a Certificate in Project Management from Cornell University College of Engineering, Ithaca, NY.
Kimberly Kelsey Ilacqua, MS, has been named Vice President, Community Services and Executive Director, Finger Lakes Health Foundation effective July 8, 2024, succeeding Lara Chatel Turbide.
In her new role, she will oversee marketing and communication strategies for the health system, media relations, and assume leadership of the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, including annual and capital campaigns, planned giving, and grant development.
In addition, she will be a member of local public health department committees in Ontario, Seneca, and Yates counties and serve on the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Community Health Improvement Task Force.
“Kim has excellent organizational and analytical skills. She has led our digital marketing strategy, website redesign, and effective promotion of health system services for 15 years.
As a testament to her contribution’s, she was recognized in 2018 with the James J. Dooley Leadership Excellence award that recognizes outstanding performance by a leader” remarks Acevedo.
Ilacqua has been with Finger Lakes Health since 2009 when she started as Manager, Marketing & Planning. In 2018, she was promoted to Director, Marketing & Digital Strategy.
Ilacqua received her Master of Science degree in Hospitality Tourism Management and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, both from Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
