Schwarzman Animal Medical Center names new president and CEO

The Stephen & Christine Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) Board of Trustees has named Helen Irving, RN, MBA, as its incoming president and chief executive officer. Irving’s start date is January 30, 2023, during a key time for the 113-year-old Upper East Side institution as its $100 million expansion and modernization project is in the works to meet the growing demands for veterinary care.

Helen Irving, RN, MBA, incoming president and CEO of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (Photo courtesy of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center).

According to an organizational release,¹ Irving has dedicated her 30-year career to operational excellence in delivering healthcare services. As a trained RN with an MBA and over a decade as a healthcare CEO, her extensive background and expertise includes hospital operations, clinical care and management, and leadership in healthcare administration.

"Helen is an inspiring leader with deep clinical experience and a proven track record," stated Robert Liberman, chairman of AMC's Board of Trustees, in the release.¹ "We are confident she will chart a successful course with the opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring AMC remains at the forefront of excellence and ingenuity."

Before AMC, Helen worked for 10 years as president and CEO of LiveOnNY, a federally designated organ procurement non-profit organization serving the New York metropolitan area, and one of the largest organ procurement organizations in the nation. Prior to joining LiveOnNY, Irving was vice president of hospital operations at Mount Sinai Medical Center for 5 years, where she managed an array of hospital services. Additionally, she held positions as transplant operations manager at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and clinical manager at New York Organ Donor Network. She maintains her nursing license after earlier staff nurse positions at hospitals in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Irving received an MBA in healthcare administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and serves on the boards of the New York State Hemophilia Consortium, the Medical Advisory Board for NYIT, and until recently, the National Cancer Center.

"Leading the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is such an exciting opportunity given my deep roots in New York's healthcare system," expressed Irving. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work with AMC's world class clinical team in serving the region's families and their beloved pets and look forward to getting to know everyone in the AMC family, whose dedication to the best veterinary care possible is truly an inspiration."

"I am so pleased to leave AMC in such wonderful hands," said Kathryn Coyne, who will retire after a 12-year tenure as AMC's President and CEO and will join AMC's board of trustees. "I will do everything possible to ensure this transition is a success, and I look forward to continuing to serve AMC on the Board."¹

Originally from London, Irving now has called New York home for over 30 years. She is a passionate animal lover who owns a Welsh terrier and a rescue tabby.

Reference

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center appoints Helen Irving, RN, MBA, president and chief executive officer. News release. Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. January 25, 2023. Accessed January 25, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/schwarzman-animal-medical-center-appoints-helen-irving-rn-mba-president-and-chief-executive-officer-301729943.html