Montefiore has appointed Jaccel Kouns, M.S., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., F.A.C.H.E., as vice president and executive director of Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital. A long-time Montefiore associate, Ms. Kouns brings a wealth of organizational experience to advance strategic efforts at Montefiore Mount Vernon, which Montefiore opened in November 2013 along with Montefiore New Rochelle and Schaffer Extended Care Center at the former Sound Shore Health System.

Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital is a 176-bed hospital that provides inpatient, critical care and ambulatory services to Westchester communities. The hospital is part of Montefiore Health System, and is a New York State-designated Stroke Center and HIV/AIDS Center. Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital is home to the Beale Chronic Wound Treatment and Hyperbaric Center and the Montefiore School of Nursing.

"We are committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve," said Steven M. Safyer, M.D., president and CEO of Montefiore Health System. "Ms. Kouns is an experienced leader with extensive experience building relationships with physicians, improving processes and developing programs. She is the right person to strengthen and grow exceptional healthcare services for the residents of Mount Vernon and the surrounding communities." 

Ms. Kouns joined Montefiore in 1994 and has held positions of increasing responsibility, most recently as director of Emergency Services and Patient Logistics. In that role, Ms. Kouns led the clinical operations of five emergency departments throughout the health system and created the new Patient Logistics Department, which helps optimize patient access and throughput across hospitals.

"Ms. Kouns is a results-oriented leader who focuses on opportunities to partner with physicians and staff to enhance the patient experience and improve the quality of care," said Susan Green-Lorenzen, R.N., senior vice president, Operations, Montefiore. "During her time at Montefiore, Ms. Kouns has demonstrated strong leadership skills that make her particularly well-suited to oversee the care of our patients in Mount Vernon."

Ms. Kouns holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Science degree in Health Care Management from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She also is an Advanced Board Certified Nurse Executive and a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives. Her appointment was effective June 1, 2014.

"It has been a true pleasure to be part of the Montefiore family for so many years," said Ms. Kouns. "I look forward to working with our staff at Montefiore Mount Vernon to help revitalize healthcare delivery in the community."