Leadership Message
A Message from Dr. Kimberly Townsend on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Loretto
Loretto has provided a century of caring for Central New York through some of the most challenging moments in our nation’s history—the Great Depression, World Wars, the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, and most recently, a global pandemic. Through it all, Loretto has remained a constant source of stability, compassion, and hope for families who needed us.
And this didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of the caring people and leaders who are the heart of Loretto, and who deeply believe in our vision to uphold the dignity of every person we serve. They are the reason Loretto has endured for 100 years.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead with clear eyes. The needs of our community are changing rapidly. New York’s aging population is growing. More families are navigating dementia, chronic illness, and caregiving challenges. And more than ever, people are relying on organizations like Loretto to be there when a crisis hits.
At the same time, the senior care landscape around us is becoming more fragile. Fifteen facilities in our region have closed in recent years. More than 75% of the people we serve rely on Medicaid, which covers only a portion of the true cost of care. And yet, when families have nowhere else to turn—when private facilities say no, when savings run out, when someone needs memory care or support to stay safely at home—Loretto is the place that says yes.
That commitment is our legacy. And it is also our future.
Our mission has always been clear: to be a family of exceptional people, caring for and about each other. That mission is not static. It evolves as the needs of our community evolve. And that’s what Mission in Motion is all about—continuing to innovate, continuing to respond, continuing to lead.
Innovation is in Loretto’s DNA. It’s what created PACE CNY. It’s what expanded our continuum of care. It’s what allows us to keep people out of hospitals, support caregivers, and meet people wherever they are in life’s journey. And it’s what will carry us into the next century.
The next 100 years will look different from the last 100. Expectations for long‑term care are changing. Families want more options, more support, more dignity, and more independence. And we intend to meet those expectations—not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because this community deserves nothing less.