ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING STREGHTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH PROMOTIONS AND NEW ADDITIONS

December 20, 2016

For Immediate Release   

ACCESS: SUPPORTS FOR LIVING STREGHTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH PROMOTIONS AND NEW ADDITIONS

HUDSON VALLEY REGION, NY: Access: Supports for Living is excited to announce the addition of two valuable members from our community to our leadership team, as well as the promotion of three of our dedicated leaders.

Olanrewaju Somorin M.D., an expert in the field of psychiatric medicine and behavioral health, has joined Access as Medical Director for Adults.  Recently voted by his peers as one of the Hudson Valley Top Doctors, Dr. Somorin is certified with the American Board of Addiction Medicine, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and is a Certified Medical Review Officer.  Additionally he is certified in Addiction Psychiatry and is certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Somorin most recently held the position of President and CEO at Exodus Health in Monroe, New York and also served as Medical Director of the Substance Abuse Outpatient Program for Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, NY where he held progressive positions during his career.

Since 2008, Dr. Somorin has worked as a Staff Psychiatrist at Keller Army Community Hospital in West Point.  Dr. Somorin has studied in the United States as well as Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Access is thrilled to welcome Dr. Somorin to our team.  

John Bennett, MSW, LCSW-R has joined the Access leadership team as Director of Behavior Health.  For the past 6 years, John has held Director roles with Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York City as well as the Institute for Family Health in New Paltz, New York where he oversaw delivery services in Ulster and Dutchess Counties. He has depth of experience in overseeing multiple clinics in both Article 28 and 31 settings with focus on integrated care. His clinical experience includes work with families, homeless and at risk adolescents, LGBT and HIV positive adults.

John obtained his Masters in Social Work from NYU in 2007.  John’s   strong history of leadership, budgetary responsibilities and implementation of new programs along with a familiarity of our community make him an important new addition to our Senior Leadership team.  We look forward to John’s work with us.

Access is pleased to announce the promotion of William Brown to Director of Facilities and Manufacturing. Bill joined Occupations, now Access, in 1993 as a Plant Manager. Through his 23 years with Access, Bill has been an integral resource Access has depended on in the many initiatives he has led. In his new role, Bill is responsible for the maintenance of our internal multi-use facilities and residential homes, government products, contract packaging, and all of the grounds maintenance lines of businesses with the agency. Additionally, Bill is also responsible for our contractual Total Facilities Management line of business which includes the United States Military Preparatory School as well as leading our Transportation Department. He received a BA in Political Science from SUNY Oneonta.

Access is excited to announce the promotion of Antoinette Elizondo, Director of Finance to Vice President of Industrial Operations Services and will begin the transition to her new role over the next several weeks.  She will have oversight of Access’ New York State and Federal Custodial and Food Service contracts. Antoinette joined Access in 2012 and provided leadership in multiple areas of finance as well as being an integral partner to the Industrial Operations team as well as all areas of the agency.  Antoinette holds a Masters of Business Administration from Georgetown University.  We are excited to support her in this important role.

Additionally, Access is excited to announce the promotion of Yvette Figueroa to Vice President, IDD Residential Supports where she will oversee a substantial part of the agency’s direct care workforce and continue to lead innovative supports and services.  Yvette began her professional career with Occupations, now Access in 1982. During her 34 years with Access she has held numerous positions throughout the many programs and services Access provide.  For the past 20 years she has served in a leadership capacity with progressive oversight responsibility for programs certified by OMH and OPWDD and has led multiple initiatives which have contributed to the growth of the organization. Yvette has a BS Degree from Mount Saint Mary College in Business Management and Administration.

Access: Supports for Living is an agency with a simple goal – to support the families and communities of the Hudson Valley by helping people live the happiest, healthiest and fullest lives possible. We are committed to the future as we innovate today to support the people of the Hudson Valley in the coming years.  As the role of not for profits changes and communities are asked to strengthen supports for people with vulnerabilities, we are the resource the entire Hudson Valley can rely on.  Visit www.accesssupports.org, to learn more about the ways in which Access continues to be a solution for the Hudson Valley.  For services and information on ACCESS programs call 1-888-750-2266, seven-days-a-week, 24 hours a day.