Vivian Torres Suarez RN, BSN, MBA, has been appointed the new Senior Vice President of Services for Lighthouse International, a pioneer in the treatment of people with vision loss.
Ms. Suarez, an experienced health care administrator, has dedicated her professional life to community-based health care for the past 30 years. She has served as a clinician, an advocate, an innovator, a manager, and a top level executive.
According to Dr. Tara A. Cortes, RN. PhD, CEO and President of Ligthhouse International, “We are delighted to have Vivian join our team. She brings broad experience and expertise in effective health care administration and strategic vision which will help us expand our organization to treat more people in the community who have macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases.”
Ms. Suarez’s extensive background in community healthcare programs includes serving as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President for Selfhelp Community Services which provides home and community based services to a large number of senior citizens. Her responsibilities included overall administrative functions and the administration of all home care programs serving 4,500 patients with a staff of more than 2,000. Her expertise in strategic planning, financial management, budget development, and clinical delivery systems helped achieve dramatic program growth and significant revenue enhancement.
Prior to her position at Selfhelp, she spent 16 years at St. Mary’s Healthcare Systems for Children, and GHI Home Services where she served as Vice President and helped establish the first pediatric long term home health care program in New York State. Her responsibilities included overseeing nursing and rehabilitation clinical areas. Her dedication to quality care was cited by JCAHO and the New York State Department of Health. She also served as Executive Director of the Home Nursing Association of Westchester.
In her role as a strong advocate for community based health care, Ms. Torres-Suarez served as a member of the Community Services Committee of the New York State Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and as a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the Home Care Association of New York State. She is also a member of the Policy and Nominating Committee of the Home Care Association and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses. Ms. Torres-Suarez has been recognized with numerous honors, including an award for outstanding service to the people of Queens and recognition from the Queensboro Council for Social Welfare.
Ms Suarez earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wagner College and Masters in Business Administration from Dowling College.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization that helps people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse helps people with low vision and blindness enjoy safe, independent land productive lives. For more information about eye diseases, vision rehabilitation services and locating low vision specialists near you, call Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.visionconnection.org. For more information about the Lighthouse visit www.lighthouse.org.
