POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (September 1, 2021) – Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of The Center for Discovery® (TCFD) to its Board of Directors, represented by Patrick H. Dollard, CEO of The Center for Discovery®.
The Center for Discovery® is a world renowned provider of research and programs for children and adults with complex conditions, like autism. As one of the field’s most innovative and disruptive visionaries, Mr. Dollard is an internationally recognized thought leader in the development of new models of care. He regularly presents at national and international conferences including The Kresge Foundation, Health Care Without Harm, United Cerebral Palsy and the Autism Roundtable, among others. His compassion and vision are uniting the fields of mental health, aging and veteran affairs. He is a frequent contributor to the veteran and first responder mental health and wellness roundtables held by the organization, America Salutes You.
“It is a perfect time for The Center to join the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (HVEDC) Board,” Mr. Dollard said. “I have always believed in the depth of talent in our region. Now together, we can help assist the individuals and businesses in the area develop their talents and further enrich the Hudson Valley.”
"We are thrilled to have Patrick and his team at The Center for Discovery® join the board of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. The services and care they provide are tremendous assets to underserved individuals with complex conditions and I applaud Patrick and his team at The Center for Discovery® for all of the groundbreaking work they do. We look forward to working with them to further economic development and growth in the region," said Mike Oates, President and CEO of HVEDC.
Under Mr. Dollard’s leadership, The Center for Discovery® has grown from a facility with 30 employees to one with more than 1,700 full-time staff providing a range of educational, residential, medical, clinical and recreational programs. Additionally, he has been instrumental in bringing together researchers from several prominent universities to develop a nationally recognized research program at The Center that has led to cutting-edge breakthroughs in care for those with complex conditions.
Mr. Dollard pioneered the development of environmentally advanced healthcare and educational facilities that utilize energy efficient technologies and sustainable construction materials. The Discovery Health Center was the first healthcare facility in the country to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), receiving its prestigious LEED certification. The Center’s Ridge Campus was New York State’s first specially designed campus for adolescents with autism, and the Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center for Environmental Health and Education, home to the Lab School research program, is a Platinum LEED facility. Mr. Dollard also created The Center’s Thanksgiving Farm®, an organic and bio-dynamically certified farm that provides vocational training for residents of The Center, as well as produce for The Center and for community members from the broader Sullivan County region. He is the co-author of the award-winning book, Feeding the Heart, with Chef Cesare Casella.
A 2020 Economic Impact Study conducted by TEConomy Partners revealed that The Center for Discovery was responsible for more than $1.77 billion in economic impact for New York State between 2011 and 2019. In 2018, Mr. Dollard expanded that impact by purchasing the former Frontier Insurance Headquarters, located in Rock Hill, NY, which will be home to a first-of-its-kind Children’s Specialty Hospital and Research Institute for Bio-Behavioral and Environmental Health. The hospital will serve as a national model by providing an urgently needed short-term, clinical assessment program for children with complex conditions, while the Research Institute will advance breakthroughs and raise the standard of complex care in the state. These new projects are expected to create over 400 new healthcare jobs, and 150 construction jobs.
“The time is right for incredible growth in our region, like the development of our Children’s Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill which will transform health for those with complex conditions,” said Dollard. “Silver lining - I also look forward to learning from my colleagues. The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation brings together the top thinkers from a vast array of businesses, educational institutions, and medical groups in the region.”
Citing his distinguished accomplishments in the field, and his international reputation, the SUNY system awarded Mr. Dollard an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May 2013. The following year, he was honored with the Open Space Institute (OSI) Land Conservation Award at OSI’s Annual Awards Luncheon. This award recognized the unique partnership between The Center and OSI and highlighted The Center’s role in creating sustainable farms, organic and bio-dynamically grown foods, and healthy environments for the individuals it serves, as well as for its staff.
About The Center for Discovery®:
The Center for Discovery® (TCFD) is a leading provider of healthcare and education services for more than 1,200 children and adults with complex conditions, medical frailties and Autism Spectrum Disorders, located 90 miles northwest of New York City. Named a Center of Excellence in 2016, TCFD has long been a leader in developing new models of care for individuals with complex conditions. Located on 1,500 acres of land in Sullivan County, TCFD houses school campuses, residences, medical and research facilities, organic and biodynamic farmland, and leased private businesses offering meaningful employment opportunities. Deeply focused on an individual’s personal potential and possibilities, rather than a disability, TCFD strives to create better care and unique and challenging opportunities for the most vulnerable populations. For more information about TCFD, please visit www.tcfd.org
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):
HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site-selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC helped start the organizational, branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley, Hudson Valley 3D Printing and the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. To learn more, call (845) 220-2244 or visit HVEDC.com.
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