ROCHESTER, NY – Rochester Regional Health’s Theresa Glessner, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, CCRN, has received the 2026 Finger Lakes Regional Leadership Award from the New York Organization for Nursing Leadership (NYONL), recognizing her dedication to nursing excellence and the people who make exceptional patient care possible.
Presented during NYONL’s annual conference, the award celebrates nurse leaders whose mentorship, service and commitment have made a meaningful difference in their organizations and communities.
Dr. Glessner has spent more than a decade with Rochester Regional Health, including eight years as Chief Nursing Officer at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic. Now serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Practice Officer for RRH, she continues to champion the professional growth of nurses and create opportunities for the next generation of nursing leaders.
“Terri is the kind of leader who brings out the best in the people around her,” said Michael Rulffes, MBA, President and Chief Operating Officer of Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital and United Memorial Medical Center. “I’ve seen firsthand how much she cares about our nurses and the pride she takes in helping them succeed. She understands our hospitals and the communities we serve, and she never loses sight of the people behind the work. This is a wonderful recognition of someone who has meant so much to our teams.”
Glessner was one of six regional leadership award recipients honored across New York State in 2026. Her recognition reflects Rochester Regional Health’s commitment to supporting the nurses whose expertise and compassion make a difference for patients and families every day.
###
About Rochester Regional Health
Rochester Regional Health is an integrated health services organization serving the people of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, St. Lawrence County, and beyond. The system includes nine hospitals; primary and specialty practices, rehabilitation centers, ambulatory campuses and urgent care facilities; innovative senior services, facilities and independent housing; a wide range of behavioral health services; and Rochester Regional Health Laboratories and ACM Global Laboratories, a global leader in patient and clinical trials. Rochester Regional Health is the Rochester region's second-largest employer.
Media Relations
Public Relations Team
