Office for the Aging Announces New Director

(Kingston) - Registered nurse Anne L. Cardinale of Kingston has been appointed as Ulster County’s Office for the Aging Director, it was announced recently by Ulster County Legislature Chairman David B. Donaldson.

Cardinale will replace outgoing Office for the Aging Director Kathryn M. Puglisi on January 8, 2007.
Cardinale, 59, has been a Senior Care Specialist for Benedictine Hospital since July, 2001. In that position, she was responsible for the coordination of senior care services, inclusive of acute care, long-term care and community outreach programs. She founded the popular BeneCare Program while at Benedictine, which provides wellness courses for seniors throughout Ulster County.

Chairman David B. Donaldson said, “Anne Cardinale was chosen among many applicants and is very well known among the senior population. Her enthusiasm and drive along with her diverse background working with seniors was a perfect match. Chairman Donaldson further pointed out, “We are fortunate to get someone of Anne’s caliber to fill the shoes of retiring Director Kathryn M. Puglisi. Kathy did a wonderful job. She brought the Office for the Aging to the forefront in Ulster County and her dedication to seniors was second to none.”
Susan Zimet, Chairman of the Arts, Education, Tourism and Community Relations Committee, is delighted with the appointment of Anne Cardinale. “Her background and enthusiasm will serve the seniors of Ulster County well. Anne will have big shoes to fill when she takes over for Kathryn Puglisi, who was beloved among the senior population.”

Cardinale said she was “thrilled” with her new position and was anxious to get started. “I am so delighted and honored with the opportunity to work for all the residents of Ulster County,” said Cardinale, who has been a member of Ulster County's Office for the Aging Advisory Board since 2002. “I have a passion for working with seniors, since I have been doing it most of my professional career. I have been doing it on a smaller level at Benedictine Hospital and now I am looking forward to working with seniors Countywide.”
Cardinale is particularly proud of her work with the BeneCare Program, which started out with two or three seniors walking at the Hudson Valley Mall to a current turnout of 75 or more. She said, “It’s important to keep senior citizens active with educational programs. Seniors love to learn and they are very astute. It’s good to keep them informed so they can remain healthy in their homes.”
Cardinale’s other positions at Benedictine Hospital were as the Care Coordinator for the Care Coordination Department and a staff nurse for the Emergency Department. She began at Benedictine in February, 1996.

Cardinale worked as a nurse manager from 1986-1996 at the Ulster County Residential Health Care Facility, a 40-bed skilled nursing unit in Kingston. She was responsible for the supervision of a professional and auxiliary staff of 30 registered nurses, LPNs and nurses aides.
Cardinale is currently president of the New York State Nurses Association - District 11. She is also active in United Way, is a member of the Ulster County Program Advisory Council - Alzheimer’s Association and is a member of the Ulster County Memory Walk planning committee for Alzheimer’s.

Cardinale’s annual salary is $64,228. She resides in Kingston with her husband Frank, who is well known in the community as the longtime manager for the Kingston Legion baseball team.