Rusty Hilcken to Lead New PBMC Cardiac Unit

Peconic Bay Medical Center has named Rusty Hilcken, RN, as Administrative Director of its new interventional cardiac catheterization services unit. Peconic Bay, the eastern hub of Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health care organization, has been approved for the development of two cardiac catheterization suites, which will bring much-needed life-saving services for heart attack victims to the East End.

In his new role, Hilcken will oversee day-to-day operations of cardiac services, assuring proper allocation of staffing and support resources to optimize patient safety, quality of care and interventional outcomes.

“Rusty Hilcken is a tremendous asset for our interventional cardiology program,” Peconic Bay Medical Center President and CEO Andrew J. Mitchell says in the announcement released Tuesday. “He brings a unique combination of experience in interventional cardiology along with expertise in health care management and administration.”

In addition to his advanced degrees and training in healthcare management and business administration, Hilcken has been a cardiac cath lab nurse and a nurse coordinator for interventional cardiology.

“We are fortunate to be able to place the operations of our new Cath Labs in Rusty Hilcken’s capable hands,” Peconic Bay Medical Center Medical Director and noted cardiologist Jean M. Cacciabaudo, MD adds.

A graduate of Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Hilcken earned a Master of Science in Health Care Management and a Master of Business Administration at St. Joseph’s College. Most recently, he served as Assistant Director of Nursing at Southside Hospital, and was a system analyst for the implementation of electronic medical records for Catholic Health Services of Long Island.

“This opportunity to join an outstanding team to bring cath lab services to the East End is both highly exciting and deeply satisfying to me,” Hilcken says. “To work with top cardiologists like Dr. Cacciabaudo and Dr. Stanley Katz is a true honor. With the resources provided by Northwell Health and the wonderfully caring culture at Peconic Bay Medical Center, we can promise our residents a truly outstanding center for the very best in cardiac care.”

Visit pbmchealth.org for more info about Peconic Bay Medical Center, located at 1300 Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead.