Otterbourg Partner Named First “Temporary Operator” of a Major NY Hospital
July 9, 2014
Melanie Cyganowski recently became the first individual to assume the role of a “Temporary Operator” of a major community hospital in New York under the state’s recently enacted “Temporary Operator” law. Ms. Cyganowski, a member of Otterbourg PC and formerly the chief bankruptcy judge for the Eastern District of NY, will act in that capacity for Interfaith Medical Center (IMC) in Brooklyn for 180 days, with potential renewal for another 180 days.
The state enacted the “Temporary Operator” legislation (N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2806-a) last year to address the financial problems facing many hospitals. Ms. Cyganowski’s responsibilities will include IMC and its network of clinics. Her appointment as Temporary Operator follows her appointment by the bankruptcy court as IMC’s chief restructuring officer before IMC exited bankruptcy. During her term as Temporary Operator, a work plan approved by the New York State Department of Health will be implemented at IMC that will include the expansion, reduction, restructuring, reorganization, cessation, or transfer of operations and services.