Oswego Health Announces Leadership Promotions to Enhance Mental Health Services

(Oswego, NY – November 4, 2024) Oswego Health is proud to announce the promotion of Elizabeth Rice, MSN, RN, to Director of Inpatient Services at the Lobdell Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Lakeview and the hiring of Heather Cosgrove, Ph.D., as Director of Outpatient Mental Health Services. These strategic appointments underscore Oswego Health's commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care to Central New York.

Elizabeth Rice: Promoting Patient-Centered Care

Rice’s extensive background in mental health nursing will greatly enhance our commitment to patient-centered care. With over a decade of experience, Rice brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position.

After earning her Master of Science in Nursing from SUNY Polytechnic in 2022, Rice served as the Assistant Director of Inpatient Mental Health & Wellness at Oswego Health. In this role, she was instrumental in planning and coordinating activities for the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, demonstrating her ability to lead and innovate in a complex healthcare environment.

Rice’s clinical journey has been diverse and impactful. Prior to her leadership role at Oswego Health, she worked as the Health Occupation Coordinator at Oswego CiTi BOCES, where she oversaw practical nursing and other health programs. Her responsibilities included developing curriculum, maintaining clinical opportunities for students, and supervising both faculty and student performance. She actively contributed to numerous committees, such as the Council of Occupational Education Accreditation Committee and the Oswego County PN & RN Advisory Board, where her leadership skills shone.

Additionally, Rice has significant experience in emergency care. As a Senior RN in the Emergency Department at Oswego Health, she managed emergent treatment across all age groups, providing rapid and competent responses to critical situations. Her commitment to education is also evident through her roles as a Basic Life Support Instructor and a staff preceptor, emphasizing the importance of training and mentorship in nursing.

Her dedication to high-quality patient care, innovative approach to mental health services, and collaborative spirit position her as a leader in our field. Oswego Health is confident that Rice will continue to make significant contributions to the community we serve.

Heather Cosgrove: Elevating Outpatient Services

Heather Cosgrove joins Oswego Health as Director of Outpatient Mental Health Services, bringing a wealth of experience in counseling psychology. She earned her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo, where she honed her expertise in mental health services and counseling. Her career includes significant leadership roles, most recently as the Training Director at the Barnes Center at The Arch Counseling in Syracuse, NY. In this capacity, she developed and oversaw a comprehensive training program for graduate-level interns, ensuring the highest clinical practice and professional development standards. Heather's hands-on approach involved providing weekly supervision to staff therapists and interns, maintaining a small individual caseload, and co-facilitating group therapy sessions.

Before her role at the Barnes Center, Cosgrove served as the Assistant Director and Staff Psychologist at the Hamilton College Counseling Center. Here, she managed specialty interests among staff and spearheaded innovative programs such as the successful Peer Counseling initiative, which provided vital support to students. Her ability to engage with the campus community, secure funding, and oversee critical operations demonstrates her leadership and commitment to advancing mental health services.

Cosgrove's formal training includes diverse experiences in various settings, from her doctoral internship at Illinois State University, where she provided individual counseling and facilitated therapy groups, to specialized work with eating disorders at the Buffalo Centre for Eating Disorders. She has been deeply involved in outreach programming, addressing topics such as stress management, bullying, and body image concerns, further highlighting her dedication to community mental health.

Her impressive credentials include Doctoral-level supervision of interns and postdoctoral fellows, the development of unique therapeutic programs, including a Women’s Empowerment Retreat, and expertise in a range of therapeutic modalities, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Cosgrove’s passion for mental health and innovative approach will be instrumental in enhancing the quality of outpatient services for adolescents and adults at Oswego Health. We are confident that her leadership will contribute significantly to our mission of providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

A Leader in Mental Health for Central New York

Oswego Health is committed to establishing itself as a leader in mental health services throughout Central New York. With a focus on creating a healing environment at the Lobdell Center, the organization offers comprehensive services for both adolescents and adults, addressing the diverse needs of our community. The center is designed to provide compassionate, patient-centered care in a supportive and nurturing setting.

Commitment to Community Well-Being

"We are excited to welcome Elizabeth and Heather into their new roles as we continue to expand and enhance our mental health services," said Executive Director Clark Sargeant of Oswego Health. "Their leadership will be crucial as we strive to meet the mental health needs of our community and provide the highest level of care to our patients."

Oswego Health is now accepting adolescents and adults for outpatient services. For more information about its mental health services, please visit oswegohealth.org or contact 315-326-4100.

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About Oswego Health:

The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to be Oswego County’s largest private employer. More than 1,300 employees spread throughout its 18 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community.  The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County, as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, the healthcare system includes Oswego Health Medical Practice, a multi-specialty medical group offering the community accessible, high-quality healthcare. 100+ physicians and advanced practice providers offer an extensive array of services across CNY, including primary care and specialty care in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, general surgery, urology, and bariatrics; for more information about Oswego Health, visit www.oswegohealth.org.