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New Chief Financial Officer For St James

October 18, 2019

Statement From St James Hospital:

St. James Hospital and Jones Memorial Hospital are pleased to announce that James H. Helms, CHFP, CPA, FHFMA, has been named chief financial officer (CFO) effective 10/27/19. Mr. Helms will take on a dual role as CFO of St. James Hospital and Jones Memorial Hospital (Wellsville), where he currently is vice president of finance. Prior to his current role at Jones Memorial he served as their director of health information management/revenue cycle and corporate compliance officer.

In this new position, Mr. Helms will oversee the financial operations of both hospitals, including financial policies, financial strategic planning, cost management, budgets, financial reports, funding streams, and the finance staff at both locations. He will also retain some of his financial and operational responsibilities at Jones while taking on some operational roles at St. James as well.

According to St. James president & CEO, Bryan O’Donovan, “We are pleased to work with the leadership at Jones and UR Medicine to create a position that will benefit both of our organizations. Jim is the right fit, and has extensive experience at both entities and is well versed in leading hospitals through transition.”

“This strategic appointment will improve our respective operations,” said Eva Benedict, CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital. “Jim is well respected at both organizations, and has had great success working with the Jones team in stabilizing our financial position. He will work tirelessly to build solid working relationships with our colleagues across the region, so that we all can continue to expand much-needed healthcare services in our local communities.”

Before joining Jones Memorial Hospital in 2013, Mr. Helms served as administrative director of clinic operations/support services and the financial controller at St. James Hospital for nine years. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), certified healthcare financial professional (CHFP), and fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA). He earned his associate in applied science in accounting at Alfred State College and both his MBA and bachelor of business administration at St. Bonaventure University. He also served for twenty five years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring as command sergeant major.

Mark Prunoske, CFO at UR Medicine/Thompson Health and interim CFO at St. James, said, “Not only will Jim help transition St. James into its new facility, but most importantly, he will strengthen the collaboration among the local UR Medicine hospitals so that we can continue to bring high-quality healthcare services to people in this region.”

Founded in 1890, St. James Hospital is an affiliate of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. St. James provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services, 24-hour emergency department, general surgery, orthopedics and rehab services, imaging and lab services, urgent care, and a host of local outpatient clinics through its URMC affiliation.

An affiliate of University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), Jones Memorial Hospital is a 49-bed acute care facility serving all of Allegany County, as well as western Steuben County and northern Potter County, PA. Located in beautiful southwestern New York State, JMH is committed to continuously raising quality and safety to higher levels and providing top quality healthcare in a hometown community setting. Jones Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission.


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