Hughes to Depart Kaleida Health at End of Year

Released: Friday, September 20, 2024 1:00 PM

Hughes to Depart Kaleida Health at End of Year

Michael P. Hughes will step down as Kaleida Health's senior vice president and chief administrative officer (CAO) at the end of year following a 20-year tenure with the organization. He has agreed to stay on in a part-time capacity after January to assist with public and government affairs.

Recruited to Kaleida Health in 2004 as the director of public relations, he has elevated through the organization and is responsible for the health system's external affairs. Serving as the spokesperson for Kaleida Health, Hughes oversees marketing, communications, government affairs, regulatory issues/planning, foundations, real estate and construction. He also serves as policy and strategy advisor to the CEO and executive management team as well as counselor to the Kaleida Health Board of Directors for issues such as community outreach, media relations, crisis communications and government relations.

Prior roles Hughes has had with Kaleida Health include senior vice president and chief of staff; senior vice president of marketing, public affairs and business development; and vice president and chief marketing officer.

"Mike has dutifully served Kaleida Health, always with our workforce, patients and community in mind," added Don Boyd, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. "He is someone that I have worked closely with throughout his entire time here. Mike has always been a key leader, advancing Kaleida Health's mission through things like our award-winning internal and external COVID-19 communications efforts, dozens of marketing and branding campaigns, and successfully securing numerous Federal and State grants over the years."

Those grants include $191M to build the Gates Vascular Institute, $35M to build John R. Oishei Children's Hospital and $71M to build the new Brooks Memorial Hospital. He also led the successful lobbying effort to change State law and create "Safety Net" status for Oishei Children's Hospital.

Hughes completed Harvard Business School's executive program in Cambridge, Massachusetts concentrating on healthcare management. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Medaille University as well as bachelor's degree in communication from Canisius University.