Dr Lillian Vitanza Ney, former JCC Board of Trustees member, is pictured.

The Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees recently recognized Lillian Vitanza Ney with a signed resolution for her more than two decades of distinguished service on the board at a recent planning session at Steelbound in the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Dunkirk.

When Ney first joined the board in the early 1990s she was a working cardiologist who was also parenting her two daughters. Though her time was at a premium, she said she was very honored by the request. Her belief in the importance of the college to the community motivated her to accept the nomination, and that same belief factored into her decision to retire.

“I really felt the time was right for me to leave, even though this last term wasn’t quite ended yet,” Ney said. “I had a big birthday and I thought it was an appropriate time to make way for others who will bring value to the college.”

Ney served on the board from 1990-2001, and 2011-23. She chaired the Educational Services Committee, which focuses on the programs, opportunities, innovations, and new ideas the college implements. Prior to that, Ney served as board chair from 1994-1998. Ney holds the unique distinction of having served on the JCC board under six different presidents.

“Lillian always took an active role in discussions, committee meetings, and new programs,” said Mark Ward, current JCC board chair. “She has never been afraid to ask good questions that helped us make better decisions.”

Of Ney’s many duties over her years on the board, some highlights were presenting distinguished alumni awards while she was board vice president, and then as board president, helping to present diplomas to the students at commencement. She remarked on how impressive it is to see students of all ages cross the stage, as well as seeing families celebrate a new generation earning their degree at JCC.

“It was really special,” Ney said. “When senior folks come across the stage, and their kids and grandkids are clapping like crazy, that gives you goosebumps.”

Ney is now a retired cardiologist and former medical director of WCA Hospital, Jamestown Area Medical Association, and Heritage Park Health Care Center. In addition to her years of service for JCC, she has been active on the boards of community organizations, including the Gebbie Foundation, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Northwest Arena (Jamestown City Center Development Corporation), the James Prendergast Library Association, the Chautauqua Institution, Wells College, the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, the American Heart Association, Family Service of Jamestown, Reg Lenna Civic Center, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

Ney continues to work with the Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County, Strong Starts Chautauqua, and currently is president of the Chautauqua County Board of Health. She also served as a member of the Jamestown City Council over an eight-year period, including a stint as council president.

Ney says of the various areas she has worked in, the greatest potential for good came from the time she invested in the education system working with JCC. She has seen the lifelong opportunities and great service the college gives to area students. She feels that JCC is one of the great jewels in the community, and must be always appreciated and supported.

Christine Schuyler, program director of healthcare initiatives for Workforce Development, has worked with Ney on several community health initiatives in recent years, including serving on the advisory committee for the Mental Health Association. She describes Ney as unlike anyone she’s ever met, and a “genuinely kind and good person.”

“Dr. Ney was a highly-regarded cardiologist, maybe that contributed to her own heart being so big,” Schuyler said. “I truly don’t think that she thinks of all that she does to improve the health and wellbeing of all through her work with UPMC Chautauqua, JCC, the Chautauqua County Health Department, the City of Jamestown, Jamestown Public School, and countless other organizations, groups and individuals as something so astonishing.”

The resolution presented to Ney states that during her time on the board, Ney used her knowledge of medical, healthcare, and government systems to provide guidance and expertise to JCC; and “faithfully advocated on behalf of the college throughout the community.”

Ney values JCC’s attention to student wellness. She recalled her time chairing the education committee, and noted her respect for the faculty throughout her years at JCC, especially during the COVID pandemic and its aftermath.

“They played a huge role in keeping students mentally, physically, emotionally, and academically stable,” Ney said. “One of my favorite things was hearing a student say — and we heard this through the years many times over — ‘I don’t know what I would have done without my faculty advisor or my teacher.'”

In addition to JCC’s recognition, Ney’s service over the years has earned her the American Heart Association’s Community Service Award, the Wells College Alumnae Award, the Chautauqua Leadership Network’s Leadership Award, New York State Woman of Distinction Award, and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s John D. Hamilton Community Service Award. She also was awarded the JCC Foundation’s John D. Hamilton Award.

“Dr. Ney is an exemplary role model for all, and especially for women,” Schuyler said. “She was a pioneer for women in medicine and leadership, and has shown us that it is possible to follow your passions, raise a family, prioritize life’s challenges, and embrace life’s blessings.”

Ney shared that during her career as a physician, she made decisions that allowed her to be more present for her children. She started her practice in the 1970s, and at that time doctors were on call for their patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“There were no hospitalists at that time, which was very difficult with young preschool children,” Ney explained. “I was blessed with the constant encouragement of my husband, who was also a physician, and the help of my parents and sisters.”

Though she enjoyed taking care of patients, Ney left her practice and began working part-time at WCA Hospital, which allowed her more time at home. At times, it was difficult to participate in different organizations, because the meetings were scheduled at times when women who were staying home with their children were more likely to be available, and Ney was often at work and still seeing patients. Because of missing too many meetings, her membership was removed.

Looking back, she thinks that bothered her more than it should have, “but I was just a kid.” As Ney’s daughters grew and entered school, she was gradually able to return to full-time work.

“By the time my girls were in college, I was able to devote considerably more time to working at the hospital, and be more involved in community work,” Ney said. “My medical and community careers were woven around family life.”

Though she could spend her retirement reliving her many accomplishments, Ney remains connected to the college and is happy the City of Jamestown used the vacancy created by her resignation to appoint the Rev. Luke Fodor to the board.

“I talked to Luke at length to tell him what a special place the college was and how important it was to our area,” Ney said. “I feel good about his appointment. Even though I already miss the college. I’m trying to tune in to what’s going on and keep in close contact, so I almost feel that I haven’t left.”

Ney speaks highly of the growth mindset the college has, especially in areas such as Workforce Development, Global Learning, and health and wellness.

“Our academics have always been so strong, and they still are,” Ney said. “However, there’s a continual need for innovation, something new and different, and there’s no limit to JCC’s potential. It takes people with passion in their hearts to carry it on. We’re working with each other to make it great for our communities. We’ll always have to remember we’re spread out geographically with our three campuses, and that makes it harder to govern. Kudos to JCC for pulling it off so well.”