Paul Russo

Paul M. Russo ’05, as a member of the federal Senior Executive Service (SES) recently retired after 42 years of dedicated service to America's Veterans and their caregivers in the Department of Veterans Affairs/Veterans Health Administration.  Prior to retirement he served as the Executive Director/CEO of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System from 2018 to May of 2024. In this capacity he oversaw tertiary health care for a 400-bed medical center, 120 bed skilled nursing facility, 60 bed Mental Health Domiciliary, 18 bed Military Sexual Trauma unit, 7 outpatient clinics, 1 large outpatient health care center, 4500+ employees and an operating budget over more than 1 billion annually. As a teaching facility the Bay Pines VAHCS has over 150 academic affiliations and partnerships. The facility serves over 130,000 enrolled Veterans in southwest Florida. Prior to this appointment he served as Director/CEO of the Miami VA Healthcare System from 2012-2018 and same at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC from 2010-2012.

He began his VA career in 1982 as a staff dietitian at the Buffalo VA Medical Center, Buffalo, NY. He progressed into multiple leadership positions serving as Chief of Nutrition and Food Service at the VA health care systems in Syracuse, NY, West Palm Beach, FL, and Miami, FL. He moved into health care administration as the Assistant Director in Miami 2001-2002 with subsequent appointment as the Associate Director/COO of the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System 2003-2010.

Paul received his Bachelor’s Degree in clinical dietetics from the State University of New York College in Buffalo (Buffalo State) in 82.  Shortly thereafter he received his registered dietitian (RD) credential. He received his Master of Science in health systems administration from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 05 and was recognized as the second RIT College of Health Sciences and Technology distinguished alumnus in 2013. He is board certified as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and recently transitioned to life Fellow status (LFACHE).

As a recognized leader and change agent he is a recipient of multiple VA internal and external awards. He received the VA Administrators Hands and Heart award in 1985 as Oncology Dietitian Specialist and VA Secretary’s award for Dietitian of the Year in 1996. In 2006 he received the ACHE Regents award for establishing the Treasure Coast Health Care Executive Network, a local chapter of ACHE. He served as President of the chapter from 2006-2008 and board member thereafter. In 2011 he received the ACHE Distinguished Service award. In February 2015 he was recipient of the Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in recognition of his service to all people regardless of race or faith. Most recently in 2022 he received the VA Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing and Advancement of Nursing Programs for his servant leadership, his tireless advocacy for nurses and his commitment to excellence and quality.

He has served on numerous boards and committees within the Veterans Health Administration and external in the community. Past appointments include Co-Chair of the VA Network 8 Health Delivery Council 2020-2024, Chairperson of FirstChoice Credit Union Board 1999-2010, West Palm Beach, FL: Miami-Dade County Military Affairs Board, 2013-2018, and Chairperson of the South Florida Federal Executive Board 2016-2017.  He served as the Executive Director representative to the National Association of VA Research and Education Foundations board (NAVREF) 2017-2021.

As a senior executive he is committed to helping young health care professionals advance in their careers through coaching and mentoring. He is most proud of the dedication and commitment of his staff during the Global Pandemic and several evacuations and service recovery due to hurricanes. Early in the pandemic Bay Pines conducted 53,000 Covid tests for community partners who did not have the means. Thereafter Bay Pines staff vaccinated over 120,000 Veterans and their caregivers by the end of 2021.

Paul is a native of Rochester and currently resides with his wife Karen in Odessa, Florida close to Tampa. He enjoys rugby and hunting and fishing and gets back to Rochester 2-3 times per year to his 30 acre property south of Rochester.