Deborah Allen, left, and Stephanie Brown
Monticello, NY – Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek is pleased to announce that current Public Health Services employee Stephanie Brown will become the Office for the Aging’s new director this Monday, July 2. She replaces Deborah Allen, who is retiring today after nearly 40 years of service with the County.
“Stephanie brings tremendous skills and experience to this leadership role, and I am confident she will carry on Debi’s accomplished legacy,” Potosek noted. “It is always gratifying to nurture talent by promoting from within.”
“The Office for the Aging is a critical component of the public outreach the Division of Health & Family Services offers,” explained Joe Todora, commissioner of the Division. “Having Stephanie – already a member of our team – serve as the Office’s leader is appropriate and beneficial to those we serve. She will be fantastic in this position.”
“I am so encouraged to know that the vacuum created by Debi’s retirement will be instantly filled by Stephanie, one of our most capable and dedicated employees,” said District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Legislature’s Health & Family Services Committee. “She is approachable, wise, experienced and enthusiastic, and I very much urge citizens to meet her in the weeks and months ahead!”
A Youngsville resident, Brown is a registered nurse certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. She possesses a master of science in nursing and a master of business administration in health care management.
Brown currently serves the County as the Quality Improvement Coordinator for Public Health Services in Liberty, where she ensures quality of service through the drafting and reviewing of policies and procedures, developing strategic plans, and assisting in compliance issues. She is also the office’s HIPAA Compliance Officer and Accreditation Coordinator.
As a Public Health Nurse involved in emergency preparedness and health education & outreach, Brown is a monthly voice on Thunder 102 and participant in various events, dispensing health-related facts and advice to the general public. She is well-educated in chronic disease prevention, especially in the aged.
Prior to her service with the County, Brown was a Senior Nurse Supervisor at the Center for Discovery, supervising staff nurses and providing direct care to vulnerable residents of all ages, particularly the older, medically frail population.
In addition to her nursing work at Ellenville Regional Hospital’s emergency room, Brown was an RN in the emergency room, operating room, mental health, critical care and ob/gyn departments of Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She learned the fundamentals of nursing care in the medical/surgical and cardiac units of that hospital.
“I am humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Office for the Aging,” Brown said. “I thank the County Manager for having this faith in my abilities, and I look forward to working with the incredible staff and volunteers of the Office to build upon the strong foundation Debi Allen spent so many years creating. It is a true honor to serve the people of Sullivan County in this role, and I aim to do so with a deep sense of responsibility, compassion and collaboration.”
