CapNY Changemakers: Introducing J’Vanay Santos

Updated: July 2025

Being known affectionately (or maybe sardonically depending on the mood) as Smallbany, the Capital District is known for having a close-knit community with limited offerings but those of us in the know know that this is a misconception. Millennials have been working overtime to give this region a much needed reboot, bolstering niche communities rife with culture. These individuals leading the charge are changemakers– advocates of cultural, spiritual, and mental progress that are leaders in any given space.
  • Forging a New Path in Maternal Care

One Changemaker is making her disruptive entrance into the maternal care space. Albany native J’Vanay Santos is forging a new path in maternal care and she’ll be sharing her gift with the tri-state area soon. Co-founded by J’Vanay, MyLÚA Health is an emerging maternal health platform that specializes in support for birthing persons and their care teams through personalized education, connection to resources, and health insights to improve quality and equitable decision-making. MyLÚA Health is an AI-powered early risk detection service that identifies & manages the risk of pregnancy-related complications.

In J’Vanay’s words, “MyLÚA Health supports allied health professionals to ensure birthing persons have access to knowledge and resources to achieve a safe and healthy pregnancy for themselves and their babies. With predictive analytics, automation tools, and a robust network or partners, the company determines needs at the individual level and matches them to localized resources. After answering a brief intake, MyLÚA will provide a personalized risk assessment; along with evidence-based, actionable education and connections to both clinical and non-clinical resources to address care needs. Additionally, MyLÚA partners with community-based organizations to enhance support systems at the local level. “The goal here,” J’Vanay says,” is to focus on missed and delayed diagnoses that stem from poor screening and lack of data, which hinders a provider’s understanding of a birthing person’s lived experience.”

  • The Inspiration

J’Vanay’s inspiration for the creation of MyLÚA lies in her up-close experience with the racial gap in maternal care, “U-Leea Santos, our Chief Experience Officer, and my sister, was denied medical intervention despite establishing a code word for wanting intervention. The mental and emotional tool of such an experience was challenging and left us wondering why we could not advocate for U-Leea’s wishes. As one of 8 [children] and the glorified doula of my family after being a part of 5 prior births, I knew something was wrong. So, we decided to dive into the literature and unearthed many issues with the maternal care system.” And that she did. J’Vanay and U-Leea partnered with a group of like minded health care providers, data scientists, and engineers to bring their dream to fruition.

J’Vanay’s passion for equity in the maternal health care space lies in the desire to give voice and agency to those that have been stripped of it, “We are amplifying the voices of birthing persons/mothers that have historically been left out of the narrative. When speaking with birthing folks, we continuously hear that they feel rushed, unheard, and express concerns about their pain being ignored. Trust has been in the maternal care system as structural racism has led to outcome disparities and inequities. We provide a platform that equips birthing persons with knowledge, resources, care advocates, and risk detection so all birthing persons can access their right to a quality and safe birthing experience for themselves and their babies.” Though this is a weighty call to task, it’s one worth striving for. Per NPR the maternal death rate for Black Americans was 69.9 per 100,000 in 2021 alone, which is 2.6 times higher the rate for white women.

  • Bridging the Gap

Bridging the gap in any way we can means increasing access to quality care, identifying diagnoses early and finding community care to help address those needs where busy hospitals and health care centers cannot. MyLÚA Health is one of the many organizations trying to push us in the right direction. They are changemakers and the community is ready to receive them with open arms. From panel opportunities to partnerships with doula and community based organizations to funding, the community at large has embraced them– and soon NY State at large will be too.

At this time MyLÚA is focused on securing further partnerships before they go live later this year. If you’d like to get involved or receive support, reach out to the team here

  • Written by: Arielle Steele

CapNY Healthcare Professionals Taking the Lead

Updated: July 2025

The Healthcare Cluster lays the foundation for CapNY’s vibrant economy, accounting for one in eight jobs regionwide. Major employers within the cluster include three major hospital systems as well as several health insurance companies.


One of those hospital systems is St. Peter’s Health Partners, a member of Trinity Health.

We had the honor of interviewing our local healthcare heroes and are pleased to highlight just a few individuals leading the way in providing excellent healthcare across CapNY. In this article, you’ll meet the following SPHP employees:

Dr. Vishwala Kasbekar, Physician with Capital Region Family Healthcare, a practice of SPHP
Dr. Sarah Pesek, Breast Surgeon
Dr. Thea Dalfino, Chief Medical Officer of SPHP Acute Care
Dr. Catherine Adams, Chief of Pallative Medicine
Dr. Holly Payne, Pediatrician

  • Meet Dr. Vishwala Kasbekar, Physician with Capital Region Family Healthcare, a practice of SPHP

Where are you from? Where in CapNY do you live now?

I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana but grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey.  I currently live in the Latham area. I was looking for jobs from Boston to Washington, DC during my job search in preparation from graduating from residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  I have traveled a lot for school.  I started at the University of Rochester for undergraduate degree and then went to George Washington University Mailman School of Public Health in Washington, DC for my master’s degree; followed by the island of Grenada for medical school at St. George’s University.  At the end of the day, I am an East Coast girl who wanted to stay close to home base in NJ.  CapNY was close to family and allowed me to be close to other major cities like Boston and New York City. 

Describe your role and how you ended up in the field

I was a determined child. Even as a child I knew I wanted to be a physician. I truly believe that if one is afforded the opportunity to succeed and shown how from a young age, they are able to achieve anything on their journey. As I grew up, I made sure that I took every opportunity available to explore this dream, which included going to a career academy high school that was geared towards the medical-sciences, The Academy of Allied Health and Science (AAHS) in Neptune, NJ. I am still involved in my high school by sitting on the AAHS’s Advisory Council.  The intellectual curiosity that began while at AAHS allowed me to succeed in my undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester in Neuroscience, then in my Masters Degree in Public Health in International Health at George Washington University, and finally my medical degree at St. George’s University in Grenada.

I am currently practicing primary care as an Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician at Capital Region Family Health Care, in Rensselaer, NY. I also work as a Physician Consultant at Siena College Health Services in Loudonville, NY.  I also am involved in a significant amount of administrative work at St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates. 

I serve as the chairwoman of the Primary Care Joint Operating Committee, serve on the Quality and Compliance Committees of the Board, as well as serve as a member of the Board of Directors for St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates.  My other administrative roles are at Innovative Health Alliance of New York (IHANY) as a member of the Governing Board and Chairwoman of the Membership and Network Development Committee.  At SPHPMA I have won awards for Service to the Organization in 2018 and Provider Excellence Award in 2019. 

What do you enjoy most about working for SPHP?

I have worked in healthcare since I was 16 years old, in the back of an Ambulance and I can honestly say the people I work with at my office are some of best people I have worked with in my career.  The camaraderie of my colleagues and staff in my office allows us to get our unending work done in an enjoyable way .  Working with people who understand that there are frustrating parts in our day, but we have to put our patients’ care first.  Also, the key to SPHPMA’s success is that our administrative team is approachable.  They understand and are frank with colleagues that there are some things that we can’t make change due to the way healthcare is right now however, they are always willing to listen and ready, willing, and able to be change agents when needed.

Favorite thing about living and working in CapNY?

The diversity.  Multicultural, socioeconomic, and industrial.  You can be in farm country in some parts and then travel a few miles down the road and be in a small city atmosphere.  This allows for a diversity of people as well, which makes being a physician enjoyable.  The performing arts buff in me loves all the venues from SPAC and the Egg to Proctors and The Capital Reparatory Theatre.  One of the first things I did when I moved here was buy a subscription to Broadway shows at Proctors. 

  • Meet Dr. Sarah Pesek, Breast Surgeon

Where are you from?
I am originally from a small town in Western PA about one hour north of Pittsburgh called Mercer. However, I lived in Burlington, VT for six years for residency and did a one year fellowship in Providence, RI.

Where in CapNY do you live now?
I currently live in Albany in the Helderberg neighborhood. I moved here for the job. I had been in New England for 7 years total before coming here and wanted to stay close to the skiing and hiking that I had come to love in residency in Vermont.

Describe your role. How did you end up in the breast surgery field?
I am a breast surgeon and take care of patients with benign and malignant breast disease. I also work with patients who are at higher risk of breast cancer to help manage their screening and risk. Not all my patients are surgical!

I started in general surgery after I fell in love with surgery during my third year of medical school.  I loved the immediate impact you can have on a patient. Once I was in residency, I was drawn to surgical oncology, specifically breast. I loved the subtle nuances of taking care of individual cancer patients and personalizing the plan for each patient. I also enjoyed the finesse involved in the surgeries and the challenge of leaving the patient with a breast or chest wall that looked good with minimal deformity after their surgery.

I was an awardee for the “40 under 40 in Cancer” presented by the Lynx Group in 2020. I am also a Fellow of the American College of surgeons, inducted in 2020.

What are you future career goals & how do you feel you can make a difference at SPHP?
I want to continue to work on my oncoplastic skills, meaning giving the patient the best cosmetic outcome I can after a breast surgery. I want to make it so people do not feel that they need to ask for a cosmetic closure as something special, but expect it as standard of care treatment.

I work with some pretty amazing people. My partner, my office manager and I came to SPHP all around the same time in 2015 and for a while it was just us. I am amazed at the solid breast surgery program we have built and grown.  My OR team is also amazing and I always look forward to seeing them. The research team in the cancer department has helped immensely in bringing in and running a clinical trial here as part of multisite study for breast cancer localization.

What’s your favorite thing about living and working in CapNY?
I enjoy hiking and became an ADK 46er in 2021. I love my neighborhood in Albany, especially my street. We all became very close during the pandemic and still do a Friday night wave/happy hour out on the sidewalk each week. Halloween on my street is also amazing. I got 400 trick or treaters last year! As to Albany in general, I like that it is a city that feels like a small community. It feels like everyone is connected in a good way.

  • Meet Dr. Sarah Pesek, Breast Surgeon

Where are you from? Where in CapNY do you live now?

CapNY native! I grew up in Clifton Park and currently live in North Greenbush.

How did you end up in this role?

It was a long road to become the Chief Medical Officer of St. Peter’s Health Partners Acute Care Hospitals. After graduating from Shenendehowa High School, I majored in Biology at SUNY Geneseo then went on to complete medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. I met and married my husband while in medical school. He matched in neurosurgery at Albany Medical Center and I matched there in Internal Medicine. After completing residency I worked as a Hospitalist Physician at St. Peter’s before being promoted to the hospital’s first ever Chief of Hospital Medicine.

Over the next 13 years, the program grew from 10 providers to over 150 across 3 hospitals at its peak. I loved being able to split my time between the clinical practice of seeing patients in the hospital and running the hospitalist program, leading initiatives to improve the care of patients in the hospital, and learning about the business of medicine. In 2019 I graduated from Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College, with Master of Medical Management in 2019 and in 2021 became the first female Chief Medical Officer at St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Other rewards and recognitions include a 40 Under 40 from the Albany Business Review in 2011 and a Professional Achievement Award in 2012 from the SUNY Geneseo Foundation.

What’s challenging and what’s rewarding about your work?

Nothing is easy in healthcare right now. Colleagues who have worked for decades as physicians and nurses tell me they’ve never seen anything like it. What’s challenging is providing the highest quality care in the midst of a labor shortage. On a personal level, keeping up with the multitude of demands and projects is a daunting task.

There’s nothing quite as rewarding as making the right diagnosis or connecting with a patient or family and helping them through a difficult time. I don’t get to do frontline patient care as often as I’d like, but know that the work we’re doing with other leaders in the organization helps to improve care for the patients in CapNY. I love leading projects to create a safer, more efficient and compassionate work environment for our colleagues. The people are the most rewarding part of the job; I have the opportunity to work with some incredibly skilled leaders, physicians and nurses and learn from them every day.

What do you enjoy most about working for SPHP?

What I enjoy most about working for SPHP is the culture. Having been at numerous other hospitals throughout my training and career, I enjoy the compassionate, caring environment at SPHP. People not only care about patients, they care about each other.

What’s your favorite part about living and working in CapNY?

This is a tough question because there are a lot of things I love about the region. In the summer I love the close proximity to Lake George where we can go to our family’s house on the lake. In the winter I love the countless ski resorts near Albany. On a day to day basis I love that my children are receiving the same outstanding public school education that I received, that I don’t have any traffic on my daily commute and that I can live on 10 acres in the country and still make it to work in less than 20 minutes.

  • Dr. Catherine Adams, Chief of Pallative Medicine

Where are you from? Where in CapNY do you live now?

I am originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia and then did my medical school and residency training in Connecticut. Currently I am living in the hamlet of Slingerlands in Bethlehem. I wanted to settle down in an area with growth and leadership opportunities for me professionally as well as great schools for my son. I appreciate the variety of family events and activities available in Bethlehem as well as the short commute to work.

What are you future career goals & how do you feel you can make a different at SPHP?

While expanding palliative care services within St. Peter’s, Samaritan and Ellis hospitals, within the last year we have also developed a home-based palliative care program. It has been rewarding to be able to provide palliative care services to patients both earlier in their illness and in the comfort of their own homes. Both locally and nationally within the Trinity Health System, I am working on plans to expand the availability of this service.

What do you enjoy most about working for SPHP and living in CapNY?

I enjoy the family feel of working in a small community hospital while also having the opportunity to collaborate with palliative care leaders that are part of our larger Trinity Health system across the country. I also feel very fortunate that our Chief Clinical Officer Steve Hanks as well as the greater Trinity Health leadership understand and value the importance of palliative care.

My favorite thing about living in this region is access to the wide range of outdoor activities that help me make the most of my time away from work. From camping in the Adirondacks to fishing on Lake George, there are weekend activities within driving distance that I can enjoy with my family in all seasons.

  • Dr. Holly Payne, Pediatrician

Where are you from? Where in CapNY do you live now?

I’m originally from Cary, NC but my family and I are coming to New York from Kentucky, where we lived for six and a half years. We currently live in Clifton Park with our two young children.  I targeted the Northeast for a variety of factors, including culture and climate, and eventually narrowed my search down to New York state. When I saw this position available the area seemed like a great fit! There’s so much natural beauty here plus plenty of opportunities for my family.

Describe your role & how you ended up in pediatrics

I got into this kind of work because I enjoy helping families grow and watching children develop as individuals. There are a lot of challenges though, both general to any child and specific to some children, and that’s where families need a pediatrician to come alongside them and provide some assistance. I’ve found it’s better to teach healthy habits and lifestyles at a young age so children can keep those skills with them as they grow.  

People come from different backgrounds and experiences. There’s no one right answer for every child or every family, and that can be challenging to work through. Kids go through so many phases, not all of them easy! Helping to navigate through those difficult times and making a difference in their lives is rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about working for SPHP and living in CapNY?

There’s a wide network of specialists and referral options to make sure my patients are receiving the best and most appropriate care, hospital management has been respectful and collaborative, and I know I can rely on my partner in the practice. I feel like our patients are in good hands! As for CapNY, the parks! We have two energetic boys and having so many great options for outdoor play has been wonderful.

  • Written by: Gabby Fisher

7 Cool CapNY Healthcare Career Tracks for Non-Clinical Professionals

Updated: July 2025

When you walk the halls of a healthcare facility — especially the hospital — you will notice all the letters after the doctors’ names.
However, I’m happy to report that there are MANY great, behind-the-scenes health care careers that are keeping patients and community happy and healthy all across the CapNY.

Many of us non-medical workers have had to Google a long clinical acronym or ask Siri to explain the medical condition discussed in today’s 9 AM meeting. In fact, I learned today that the health care industry is also referred to as the “medical industry.” This sector includes any business that facilitates getting healthcare to patients. Think: urgent care and pharmaceuticals to insurance companies and beyond.

Those of us without clinical backgrounds have very rewarding and successful careers in the healthcare industry. And, once you are in with an organization, the opportunities are endless.

Check out these seven exciting non-clinical career paths you might want to consider.

  • 1. Vendor and Contract Management, Health Insurance Provider

Neil O’Brien-Bosselman, Director, Program Management, Ancillary Contracts at MVP Healthcare has a great perspective on the wide variety of opportunities and backgrounds in the healthcare industry.

“Operational teams in the Health Insurance space are made up mostly of non-healthcare professionals who have very diverse educational and work experience. For example, my team has backgrounds in business administration, finance, and data science. Their skills and previous work history provide them with a unique approach to solving operational issues. We think outside of the box and aren’t afraid to take risks.” 

Neil wants young professionals to know there is always significant growth potential in the health insurance model. It is an ever-changing world – and MVP in particular, is always hiring for many different types of professionals.

  • 2. Fundraising & Philanthropy

Almost all hospitals have a Foundation or Philanthropy legs of their organization. Many projects and new equipment are likely partially or entirely funded by grants and/or community donors. These professionals excel at relationship building and community involvement in order to secure these generous gifts.

“There is an incredible responsibility that comes with supporting the community,” says Victoria Hostig, Director, Community Relations & Executive Director, CDPHP The Foundation. “The real magic happens when you meet the people who are being helped by your gifts. We take great pride in working with more than 600 not-for-profit organizations each year.”

Her advice for someone interested in this type of role: lead with a passion for giving back to the community. This job is not about giving away money. It’s about making an impact on people.”

  • 3. Operations and Safety

Taylor Mickle, Manager of Operations and Safety at Ellis Medicine, started as a part-time transporter when he was an undergrad. Now, he is managing large projects within the department of mental health. “There are always new challenges that come up, and my days never feel stagnant. I often get to wear many hats, working on finance or project management to patient, staff, and environmental safety. There are so many different things in a day — I do not just sit at a desk. I am always learning something new, which allows me to grow professionally”. 

His advice for anyone interested in heading down a career in healthcare…get involved in any way that you can. Try an internship or an entry-level position. Healthcare is no different than any other field; there is always a place for hardworking, dedicated professionals. When he first started, one thing that surprised him was him not having a lot of healthcare experience or a clinical background was not unique. It was actually very common!

  • 4. Dining & Nutritional/Culinary Services

The thought and creativity put into food offerings in healthcare cafeterias is really impressive. Depending on the hospital, there are thousands of employees alone that eat their meals here, plus hundreds of patients who must eat well to aid in their healing. And, family members and visitors need good food while putting in bedside shifts.

“I get up every day ready to come to work. I was biology major, and, thanks to this job, I’ve discovered a real love for food service. It’s a fast-paced environment and very rewarding,” says Steven Stannard of Albany Medical Center. “Every day is different and I love the family environment. We work as a team.” “There are good benefits and the people are great,” says fellow AMC employee, Rukundo Nsanzurwanda

Food service employees also appreciate the stability and comraderie of healthcare. Chef Carol Gaggi of Ellis Hospital says, “I worked in restaurants first but they did not have any perks, like set schedules, benefits, vacations, etc.  I really like the stable hours, the ability to do different jobs and of course, the people.”

  • 5. Marketing & Communications

I may be partial, but I think the marketing teams have the best jobs in healthcare. If you get jazzed about being involved with just about everything, have endless curiosity, and thrive in a diverse environment – then dive headfirst into marketing and communications in the healthcare space.

In my first year at Ellis, I was part of four major advertising campaigns that included eye-opening focus groups, an autopsy (yes, you read that right, I asked to see an autopsy), large scale public relations efforts, and over 20 sponsorships and community events. And remember, I have absolutely zero clinical experience or background. I have often left a meeting with a list of ‘things to Google’ so that I could quickly sound somewhat knowledgeable on what a pulmonary embolism is or what acute care entails. But all of these moments and experiences are what continue to make my job so exciting.

  • 6. Project Management and Business Development

Cailin Burke, Sr. Project Management Specialist at St. Peter’s Health Partners started her healthcare career in the Volunteer Dept. and quickly took on more and more responsibility. Now she helps lead different key business initiatives at St. Peters Medical Associates in partnership with a variety of different service lines and medical practices. “Healthcare is an incredibly rewarding industry to work in and is unlike any other industry I’ve experienced. It’s fast paced, ever-changing and demanding. The best qualities to embrace as a healthcare employee is patience and resilience.” Like many of us in healthcare the reward is always greater than any challenges. Even ‘behind the scenes’ work like project management makes a significant impact on the care patients receive and their experience.

  • 7. Organizational Development and Human Resources

An enthusiastic Gen Z in the infancy of her career, Naresha Murray, Organization Development and Training Coordinator at Ellis, is involved in duties way outside of the realm of HR. In her “official” role, she manages the Employee Orientation program, which exposes her to all areas of the organization. As one of the first faces our newest employees see when coming on board, she welcomes and guides them through their first days as part of the Ellis family.

Naresha is also part of the Code Gray Response Team. I was surprised to hear that anyone would choose to be involved in this crisis diversion group. As part of the response team, when a Code Gray (violence in the workplace – primarily in the ED or on our Mental Health Units) is called, she, along with a team of other employees, work to diffuse the situation. It’s a high adrenaline change of pace for her from her usual to-do list. “The balance of having both keeps me challenged, motivated, and continuously growing. I love that I have the opportunity to be a part of something that I had once assumed was only appropriate for those with a clinical background”.

These are only seven non-clinical career paths one can take within the healthcare industry, there are so many more and at different levels of an organization. Just remember to have an open mind, absorb all that you can, be flexible, ask questions, and know that wherever you are and whatever you are doing in this industry, you are making a difference in the lives of patients and your community. Oh, and, whether it be a hospital or an insurance company, they are ALWAYS hiring!

  • Written by: Leah Lapointe

The New Tech Valley: 5 CapNY Companies With Global Impact

Updated: July 2025

Meet the amazing tech companies that make CapNY one of the nation’s fastest growing metro areas for manufacturing jobs!

We’ve Come a Long Way

In the late 1990s, under the moniker “Tech Valley,” NY’s Capital Region committed to competing with major tech players like Boston and Silicon Valley. 

Now, CapNY has built a strong foundation of tech-centered education at RPI. Plus, companies like Global Foundries and General Electric — and others you’ll meet below — are making major strides in industries like medicine, software, semiconductors, and more. 

CapNY has increased semiconductor patents and has been named a top contender location for tech jobs. Additionally, CapNY is one of the fastest growing metro areas for manufacturing jobs!

Here’s the scoop on some of the hottest CapNY “Tech Valley” companies you should know…

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF), Malta

GLOBALFOUNDRIES® (GF®) is a global semiconductor manufacturing company. Translation: GF produces chips that power everything from smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to 5G and automobiles! And, since 2009, over $15 billion has been invested in GF’s flagship manufacturing site, Fab 8, located in Saratoga County. 

Worldwide, GF employees approximately 15,000 people at sites in 14 locations across the world. 3,000 of them work right here in CapNY. A 2018 Georgetown University study on the Economic Impact of GF on the Capital Region identified over 18,000 jobs created since 2009. There’s also been expansion of regional infrastructure, housing, entertainment, and other attractions in Saratoga County and the region overall. 

GF is also committed to CapNY’s STEM education. “Our partnerships with the Capital Region’s colleges and universities help support our talent pipeline,” Benyon said. “(We’re) engaging K-12 students through science fairs, STEM expos, career panels and career fairs. We see STEM continuing to grow in our area, which is critical to our future talent pipeline.”

The range of opportunities at GF is impressive. “GF employs engineers and technicians, as well as people in IT, finance, business, operations and more,” said Peter Benyon, VP and General Manager at Fab 8. “Through our diversity and inclusion initiatives, GF is increasing representation of women and developing them at all levels within the company. Many of our women leaders have been recognized for excellence by community organizations.”

PVA, Cohoes

This Cohoes-based company creates equipment used in automated dispensing and spray coating across industries from automotive electronics, medical, alternative energy, and aerospace. Translation: PVA’s customers employ their robotics to precisely glue parts together or selectively apply a protective film on circuit boards to protect electronics from moisture, vibration, and foreign debris.

PVA is routinely recognized as an industry leader. They are a three-time winner of Circuits Assembly’s Service Excellence Award. And, to great acclaim, PVA developed and manufactured an emergency ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being located in CapNY has been a huge positive for PVA. The Albany area is centrally located and has the benefits of a big city with a small city feel. The abundance of local colleges and universities provides a diverse, qualified pool of potential employees,” Hart said. And, “with customers around the world, the ease of Albany International Airport is vital. We have visitors and are shipping products daily.”

With sites in The Netherlands and China, PVA has a global reach from their Spindle City site. Exports account for over 60% of their total sales. Their customers are often in high volume manufacturing environments like China, Mexico, and India, according to Frank Hart, Managing Director – Global Sales and Marketing.

Kitware Inc., Clifton Park

Kitware creates custom R&D software solutions to help companies solve advanced scientific challenges. Some cool examples: They’ve built algorithms that can spot fake news or count marine wildlife, and technology that is used to help detect and treat cancer and plan complex surgery. Their computing tools can stimulate blood flow in the body for medical research, and others can analyze trends in climate data.

Founded in 1998 by Will Schroeder, Ken Martin, Lisa Avila, Bill Hoffman, and Charles Law, the leaders shared a passion to bring advanced visualization technology to the world. 

Using Kitware’s VTK software, this image depicts a particle and streamline visualization of airflow around a helicopter rotor. VTK allows us to render complex data at the high frame rates required for virtual reality.
One of Kitware’s core capabilities is artificial intelligence. We’ve developed software tools that allow scientists to analyze image and video data collected from different camera systems mounted on various platforms.

Early on, Kitware secured funding from the National Library of Medicine. This success led to an open source business model that eliminates competition and encourages collaboration. Impressively, they’ve grown from five original employees to over 200 worldwide, with over 100 in CapNY. And,the company remains 100% employee owned.

“Kitware is proud to have our roots and our headquarters in New York’s tech valley. We are surrounded by so much innovation and growth,” said Lisa Avila, president and CEO of Kitware. “CapNY offers some of the best culture, arts, and leisure activities in the country. The region’s proximity  to NYC and Boston, as well as the surrounding academic institutions, makes it an attractive place to live, work, play and learn.”

Vyv, Troy

Founded in Troy in 2012, Vyv (formerly Vital Vio) invented a revolutionary, UV-free approach to cleaning. Translation: Vyv’s antimicrobial lights allow people to live and work freely around Vyv lights, without the limitations of UVs. You’ll find Vyv products in overhead lighting, inside consumer products, behind elevator buttons, and in industrial processes. 

Vyv began when CEO and co-founder, Colleen Costello’s grandmother contracted a serious — and preventable — MRSA infection during hospital stay. A biomedical engineering student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Costello’s research revealed that this was not an isolated incident. As a result, she and a team of engineers at RPI developed a smarter way to manage bacteria levels. Subsequently, Vyv invented proprietary continuous-use, UV-free antimicrobial light technology.

From idea to implementation, Vyv has found CapNY to be an ideal home to build upon that bright idea. 

“This has been a great area to grow our company,” said Costello. “First, there is a high-quality talent pool coming from our universities. Also, the business ecosystems have helped us to grow. And, this area’s high quality of life make us feel fortunate to be part of this community.” 

Vyv partners globally with FORTUNE 500 companies, including Delta Air Lines, Dorel Juvenile, Broan-Nutone, Middleby and a myriad of major healthcare systems.

Regeneron, Rensselaer and Troy

Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases, from eye diseases to cancer.

The company was founded by physician-scientists in 1988 and they quickly recognized the importance of in-house production capabilities. Therefore, they acquired the former Sterling Pharmaceuticals facility in Rensselaer and began making product for clinical trials.

Today, all of Regeneron’s nine FDA approved medicines are made at their production site in Rensselaer. In 2018, the company announced they would invest $850 million to expand existing operations and build a new fill and finish facility on Tempel Lane in East Greenbush.

Most recently, they stepped up to aid in COVID-19 treatment and research. Their antibody cocktail helps those suffering from the disease experience less severe symptoms and hopefully, make a strong recovery. More on that here.

When asked why Regeneron likes doing business in CapNY, Christine Childrose, Vice President of Human Resources responded, “The Capital Region has been a great place for Regeneron to grow and expand. In the last three years alone, we have hired more than 1,300 talented people with more than 30% of our entry level roles coming from local colleges and universities. With excellent school districts, an affordable cost of living, vibrant downtowns and a wide range of cultural and recreational opportunities, the Capital Region is also increasingly attractive to people looking to relocate for a better quality of life.”

  • Written by: Lauren Mineau

A Breath of Fresh Air: 16 CapNY Walks in the Woods

Lucky for us, CapNY is flush with amazing outdoor spots that offer wide open green space and interesting walking trails that often lead to curiosities and wonders, like waterfalls, windmills, and so much more.

Here’s our list of 16 beautiful walks in eight-county CapNY that will allow you to safely commune with nature, take a deep breath, clear your head, and move your body.

  • Schenectady County Walks

West Campbell Road, Schenectady, NY 12306

Transport yourself to the marshy lowlands of The Netherlands — windmills included! — just outside of downtown Schenectady. This 1.8-mile loop leads through woods before the trail becomes a boardwalk around a small lake. Look for a small wooden windmill at the trailhead.

Sanders Road, Schenectady, NY 12302

Tucked away in Glenville along Washout Creek, follow this short walking trail to find a small cascade of waterfalls that turns into a dry creek bed in the summer. If you wait to try this trail in warmer months, use the lack of water to look for fossils in the river rocks.

  • Albany County Walks
776 Bozenkill Road, Altamont, NY 12009

Clocking in at two and a half miles, Wolf Creek Falls Preserve is a short drive from the town of Altamont in nearby Knox. It is part of a 138 acre parcel that is included in the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. The trail abuts many old fieldstone walls, pointing to the history of Albany’s earliest settlers.

New York State Capitol Building, State Street, Albany, NY 12210

You don’t have to travel far from our area downtowns to find some green space. West Capitol Park offers stunning views of the Capitol building and is home flowering trees, sweet-sounding birds and rascally (but entertaining) squirrels. Bring your sketchbook for al fresco art time.

  • Rensselaer County Walks
100 Defreest Drive, Troy, NY 12180

Tucked away on the northern side of Rensselaer Technology Park is a set of trails that lead to a surprising waterfall. You will need sturdy shoes for this trail, as there are hills to climb and you may have to cross water to stay on the two mile trail. Park in the loop near WMHT studios, and look for the red discs posted as trail guides.

Staats Island Road, Castleton-On-Hudson, NY 12033

For more walks in the woods that lead you to water, venture down to the shores of the Hudson River as you explore this well-groomed trail that is great for dogs. Picnic tables are available, and bring your binoculars if you have them, as there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching for various types of waterfowl and smaller migratory birds.

  • Saratoga County Walks
Falstaff’s Parking Lot off Wait Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Just beyond Downtown Saratoga and the Skidmore campus is a series of walks in the woods along hiking trails that make the bustle of Saratoga Springs feel like a world away. There are several trails to choose from, none of them longer than two miles. A 200-foot elevation gain means an uphill climb on some trails, but this is still family-friendly.

Riverview Road, Rexford, NY 12148 (Multiple entrances)

This four mile loop offers an array of interesting sites and vistas, including Eric Canal remnants of towpaths and double locks, Clute’s Dry Dock, Forts Ferry, and a picnic area overlooking the Mohawk River that is nestled within the bird conservation area designated by NYSDEC. Audubon New York has observed more than 200 bird species in this area.

  • Columbia County Walks
1 North Front Street, Hudson, NY 12534

Go for a stroll along the well-maintained gardens, dotted by manicured shrubs and historical statues and markers, before grabbing a bench to overlook the Hudson River while the sun sets on the Catskill mountains. This city park has the feel of a hidden European green space.

480 Rock City Road, Chatham, NY 12037

This easy hike around Sutherland Pond is maintained by Columbia Land Conservancy. While the views are lovely and the hike takes little exertion, the best part is greeting all the friendly dogs that you’ll encounter at Ooms. This is also a notable place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

  • Greene County Walks
Betke Boulevard, Coxsackie, NY 12051

Need a place to lay out in the sun on a blanket (with plenty of distance from others!) or to kick a soccer ball around? Riverside Park, in Coxsackie, is a great place to do just that. The expansive views of the Hudson River and the boats that traverse that waterway are just an added bonus.

Trailhead located just south of Prattsville town center on NY-Route 23, Prattsville, NY 12468

Looking for artistic inspiration? Try Pratt Rock Trail, coined “America’s First Mount Rushmore” for the carvings into the rock facade and statues along the way. There are some steep inclines on this trail, which occasionally calls for climbing over large rocks, but the trail is otherwise moderate. Views down the Schoharie River Valley and its fertile farms can be see below.

  • Washington County Walks
County Route 49, Salem, NY 12865

Plan on spending some time with your thoughts as you gaze over Carters Pond, just outside the quaint town of Salem. This super-short and very flat hike leads to an overlook area that allows you keep an eye out for swooping birds (including predatory fowl like eagles and hawks) and breaching fish snatching bugs from the pond’s surface.

Windy Hill Road, Greenwich, NY 12834

This short trail along the Battenkill River invites walks in the woods at any time of year and leads to several small perches that allow visitors to view the falls below. If you have limited time but want a big impact, keep this gem in mind.

  • Warren County Walks
Towpath Lane, Fort Edward, NY 12828

This northern section of the Lakes to Locks bike path connects riders, skaters, runners and walkers to Lake George from downtown Fort Edward. It connects through various towns through Warren County and offers views of the Adirondacks, Glen Lake and the Hudson River. The trail is paved for smooth riding.

82 Haviland Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804

While this trail is seven miles long and runs from the Feeder Dam to the Old Champlain Canal, you can choose to just explore a portion of it by foot, or use the well-maintained trail for a longer run or a bike ride. A five acre park surrounds the entrance on Haviland Avenue and there is plenty of space for enjoying a meal outside or setting up supplies to do some sketching or writing.

Do you have favorite CapNY Walks in the Woods that we’ve missed? Send us a note about your top walks!

  • Written By: Deanna Fox
Journalist. Owner of Silly Goose Farm. Momma. Ambivert. Check out her website!