announced today that Nora OBrien-Suric, Ph.D., president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, is the distinguished speaker for Trocaire’s 73^rd commencement ceremony to be held on May 13 at 7 p.m. in University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts.

“In inviting Dr. OBrien-Suric to speak at graduation, we are recognizing her achievements and are excited to hear her perspective on the challenges and rewards in serving as a healthcare advocate,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “Since most of our students will soon be starting careers in healthcare, we look forward to her insights into the field. We know she will inspire our graduates to find their voice as they seek to live out their dreams.”

With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, Dr. OBrien-Suric was named the second president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York in 2017, a private foundation serving 16 counties in New York State. Guided by the principles of trust-based philanthropy, the Health Foundation builds strong community partnerships and engages in advocacy to advance health equity, with a focus on older adults, young children, and community capacity-building. Before joining the Health Foundation, Dr. OBrien-Suric had more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy with The John A. Hartford Foundation and The Brookdale Foundation.

Earlier in her career, Dr. OBrien-Suric collaborated with community-based organizations focused on providing services to older adults, including the New York City Department for the Aging and the Institute on Law and Rights for Older Adults. She established the position of Director of National and Internal Partnerships at the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance; and served as the vice chair of the United Nations NGO Committee on Ageing, which provided consultation to the development of the United Nations International Plan on Action on Aging in 2002. In 2021, Dr. OBrien-Suric launched a statewide campaign to advocate for a Master Plan for Aging in New York State. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul initiated the plan and named Dr. OBrien-Suric to the state’s Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Committee.

Dr. OBrien-Suric holds a doctoral degree in social welfare from Hunter College School of Social Work, a master’s degree in gerontology from the California State University at Dominguez Hills, and a certificate in geriatric mental health counseling from the University of Southern California Davis School.

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announced today that Joyce Markiewicz, president and CEO of Catholic Health, will be the distinguished speaker for Trocaire’s 72nd commencement on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts.
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A registered nurse and veteran healthcare executive with more than 30 years of clinical and administrative experience, Markiewicz’s career spans from caring for patients at the bedside to leading a $1.5 billion health system.
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“Trocaire is honored to have Joyce Markiewicz address our graduates this December. As the president and CEO of Catholic Health she runs one of the largest employers in Western New York, which provides our graduates opportunities in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings available at hospitals, home care agencies, outpatient centers and medical offices across the health system,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “Joyce has demonstrated leadership, service, and commitment to making a lasting impact. We look forward to hearing her insights and celebrating the fall class of 2024.”
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Markiewicz began her career as a registered nurse working in hospitals in both Buffalo and Rochester before shifting her focus to home healthcare. She joined Catholic Health in 2005 as vice president of operations for home care and was soon named president and CEO of home care. After taking on other leadership roles, Markiewicz was appointed the first female president and CEO of Catholic Health in September 2023.
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A resident of Orchard Park, Markiewicz’s commitment to Western New York extends from delivering meals to the homebound to lending her time to mentoring the next generation of female leaders. She serves on the boards of Hospice Buffalo and Catholic Medical Partners.

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announced today that Stuart Angert will be the distinguished speaker for the spring commencement ceremony. Trocaire’s 71^st graduation takes place on May 14 at 7 p.m. at University at Buffalo Center for the Arts.

Angert was a founder and CEO of Remarketing Services of America, a national provider of lease portfolio services for the automotive finance industry, launched in 1991, and subsequently purchased by Daimler-Benz.

Stuart serves and has served on the boards of director and trustee for several not-for-profit organizations with a focus on academia and healthcare, both in Western New York and the Adirondacks. He is currently the chairman of the Independent Health Foundation, a Commissioner for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and acts in the capacity of judge for the finals of the New York Business Plan Competition held in Albany.

Angert is a life-long resident of Amherst.

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Dr. Johnson joined the faculty of Roswell Park in 2002 and prior to her appointment as president & CEO in 2015, she was deputy director of the Center and also chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for more than a decade. She also served as deputy director of basic research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and profession of pharmacology and medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Johnson earned her doctoral degree in immunology from Ohio State University, Columbus and she completed research and postdoctoral fellowships in immunology/cell biology at the Michigan Cancer Foundation.

Last year, Trocaire and Roswell Park partnered to launch the Roswell Scholars program to improve career pathways for students in the health sciences. Over the past year, 10 Trocaire students have participated in the program, working onsite at the Buffalo-based cancer center with Roswell Park staff to learn about potential career paths with the goal of being hired upon completion of their degree.

Trocaire will host its 69^th Commencement on May 16 at 7 p.m.

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Mr. Beauford is a business executive with over 20 years of strategic leadership experience in private industry and community board service.  In August 2020, he was appointed as President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League, to lead the historical civil rights, social justice, and community empowerment organization.

Thomas most recently served as vice president at M&T Bank in the Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs division.  Prior to this, Thomas joined HSBC Bank USA, N.A. in 2000, as part of its acquisition of Republic National Bank of New York, managing their Eastern Region Operations Center in New York City.  In 2001, he was selected for HSBC’s International Secondee Programme, headquartered in London, UK.  During his international assignment, he helped lead explosive growth serving as the Deputy Centre Manager of HSBC’s Global Service Centre, in Bengaluru, India.   As a result of his business development success, Thomas was chosen to lead a turn-around of the Bank’s U.S., Australia, and New Zealand Operations from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thomas also completed research in Moscow and Astrakhan, Russia when selected as an Earthwatch© Institute Environmental Fellow.

In 2006, Thomas relocated to Buffalo, NY with HSBC as Director of Strategic Planning, overseeing Project Management and Business Banking Contact Center, then later, operations centers locally and in Guangzhou, China.  While at HSBC, he was a member of the CEO’s Diversity Council and a founding member and chair of the African Heritage Diversity Committee.  Thomas completed HSBC’s Six Sigma Black Belt training in Vancouver, BC.  He is also a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and is trained in Commercial Lending and Regulatory Compliance. In 2013, he joined Citi in their Treasury and Trade Solutions Division, as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Billing and Receivables directing the consolidation of global billing platforms for the Corporate Cash Management and Institutional Client Group portfolio.

Currently, Thomas is a board member of the Univera Regional Advisory Board, Visit Buffalo Niagara, Northland Workforce Training Center, Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, Kaleida Health.  Thomas’ past community and board service include Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation; International Institute of Buffalo; Community Health Center of Buffalo, Minority Bar Foundation of WNY, and the National Black MBA Association of WNY— where he is the immediate Past President and Urban Bankers Coalition-New York City.

Thomas is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, holding an Executive M.B.A., and an M.S. in Operations and Supply Chain Management.  He received a B.S. in Business Management from Saint Peter’s University and an A.A.S. in Accounting from Kingsborough Community College. Thomas was also awarded a scholarship to study at Harvard Business School’s Executive Education–Governing for Nonprofit Excellence program.

 An avid jazz enthusiast, he was born in Harlem, N.Y. and raised in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Thomas currently resides in the Buffalo, NY area with wife Stacy and is the proud father of two sons, Thomas III, Vaughn, and a daughter, Jewel.  The family are members of Friendship Baptist Church in Buffalo.

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is pleased to announce that the distinguished speaker for its May 2022 commencement will be Natalie Barnhard, PTA, LMT ’04.

Having suffered a devasting spinal cord injury in 2004 where Barnhard had to leave Western New York to receive the specialized care she needed, propelled her to start Motion Project Foundation Inc. in 2008. Today, Barnhard serves as founder and president of Motion Project Foundation, which has funded more than $300,000 in quality-of-life grants for others living with spinal cord injuries.

In 2021, Barnhard opened The Natalie Barnhard Center for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery in Cheektowaga. This neurological recovery center provides the necessary rehabilitation with specialized adaptative equipment and services for people with spinal cord injuries.

She also started the WNY Chapter of United Spinal Association to bring much needed programs and resources to the community.  Barnhard was the recipient of the Finn Bullers Advocate of the Year Award in 2021 from the United Spinal Association.

Barnhard earned her Associates in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Trocaire’s massage therapy program in 2004 and was the recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015. She also received her AAS degree in the physical therapy assistant program from Villa Maria College in 2002.

Trocaire will host its 67^th Commencement on May 17, 2022 at 7 p.m.

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Slichta previously served as vice president at the Health Foundation for Western & Central New York, where she developed and implemented several major initiatives to improve the lives of children in poverty and vulnerable older adults. She also facilitated many key partnerships and other projects that furthered the Foundation’s mission.

Prior to joining the Health Foundation, Slichta was the executive director of HealthforAll of WNY, Inc. where she led an effort to provide insurance subsidies for the working uninsured and their employers. She also served as project manager for the State University of New York at Buffalo’s Department of Family Medicine and as communications manager and organ services coordinator at Upstate New York Transplant Services, Inc. 

As a registered nurse, Slichta has also held positions in critical care and medical surgical nursing. She received an associate degree in applied science/nursing from Ģ����ý, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius College and a master’s degree in health services administration from D’Youville College.

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