Orleans United Way director among 34 picked for Health Leadership Fellows program
18-month program connects leaders in health care and community-based organizations in WNY, CNY
The director of the Orleans County United Way is one of 34 professionals in the Health Leadership Fellows program. These are leaders from health care and community-based organizations throughout western and central New York.
Dean Bellack
Dean Bellack said he is making connections with key foundation and agency leaders as part of the 18-month program.
The group held its opening conference from March 14-16 in Canandaigua. The Fellows meet monthly and develop, in small teams, inter-organizational projects that seek to address a community health need.
They also participate in development sessions focused on personal leadership, results-based leadership, leading change, and communicating as a leader. After graduating, Fellows continue to collaborate and learn together as members of the Fellows Action Network.
Bellack, the United Way executive director the past three years, said he was recommended for the program by some of the foundations he has worked with in his role with the United Way.
He said he is honored to be in a prestigious program with so many leaders across the region, from small counties to organizations based in Buffalo.
“It’s total immersion into the nonprofit world and nonprofit thinking,” Bellack said today. “It’s making connections for us in Orleans County.”
Bellack said the United Way has been successful in securing foundation money for a digital literacy initiative and to hire a grantwriter to assist local organizations and municipalities.
He expects the Health Fellows program will give him stronger relationships that could lead to more funding opportunities for the county.
“This is about making the connections we need,” he said. “It’s connecting to foundations and funders in the community and further outside of Orleans County.”
Since 2005, the Health Leadership Fellows program has worked to build and strengthen a network of collaborative leaders across health-related organizations in WNY and CNY in order to enhance regional capacity for addressing community health issues.
During the 18-month program, Fellows meet monthly and develop, in small teams, inter-organizational projects that seek to address a community health need.
They also participate in development sessions focused on personal leadership, results-based leadership, leading change, and communicating as a leader. After graduating, Fellows continue to collaborate and learn together as members of the Fellows Action Network.
“The tenth cohort of Health Leadership Fellows is an inspiring group of change-makers,” said Nora OBrien-Suric, PhD, President, the Health Foundation. “The pandemic has reinforced how critically important it is for health care leaders to break down silos and partner to meet the community’s needs more effectively. Cohort 10 will join the proud tradition of Fellows graduates who work together to make a real, lasting impact for the people we serve.”
