CANTON – The David B. Acker Regional Administrative Campus at 6196 Route 11 in Canton was officially named during a recent dedication ceremony.

David Acker served as the Chief Executive Officer of St. Lawrence Health (SLH) and President of Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) for 16 before he retired in 2022, and the organization as a whole agreed the naming of one of its buildings would be a fitting tribute to their former leader.

SLH Board Chair Edward Mucenski commented on the fact that he was among the members of the Search Committee who hired Mr. Acker all those years ago.

“In 2007, the Board was completing a very extensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer and David’s name rose to the top of the list very rapidly. Upon arrival, he immediately assessed our status and found many of the residents of our community went outside the county for medical care that could and should be available here,” Mucenski said.

“He then proceeded to bring providers in the fields that were needed and specialty providers that we never thought we’d be able to attract. He restructured the hospitals and made them into successful entities and started a dialogue with the providers here in St. Lawrence County to bring about a relationship with healthcare that would survive in the North Country,” he added. “And finally he led us through the process of seeking a senior affiliation with Rochester Regional Health, which has worked out very well.”

Turning to Mr. Acker and his wife Linda, Mr. Mucenski said, “David, I want to thank you on behalf of the Board for your strong and on-point vision that has ultimately made our communities healthier places to live, work, and raise our families. Linda, I want to thank you for 16 years of patience. You have been an unwavering advocate and served an essential role in all of our successes, and for that we are grateful.”

SLH President Donna McGregor is Mr. Acker’s successor, and she noted she was acutely aware that she had some big shoes to fill when she was promoted into her Presidential role from SLH Chief Financial Officer. 

She pointed to a sampling of the accomplishments made under the watch of her predecessor, including building expansions, consolidation of cancer care, Urgent Care centers opening, transition to St. Lawrence Health System, new emergency department opening, critical care unit completion and leading the hospital through pandemic.        

Acker addressed those in attendance by thanking them for the honor they bestowed upon him.

“There are not too many people who are fortunate enough in their lifetime to have a building named after them. This is a tremendous honor,” he said.

Acker pointed to the Board of Directors, members of the medical staff, and his fellow leaders who worked along-side him for all those years, noting a leader goes only so far as the people working with him/her. He spoke of their dedication to the hospital, the system, and the communities in which they represented.

“People ask if I miss working, and when I think about that question I know working (for St. Lawrence Health) was a great experience; it was challenging, rewarding, and exhilarating. There were some really terrific moments,” he said. “But as we (he and his wife Linda) ready ourselves to drive 2,000 miles across the country, I know that what I miss are the people. Those memories will stay with me forever.”

St. Lawrence Health departmental offices housed at the David B. Acker Regional Administrative Campus include Accounts Payable, Compliance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Patient Finance, Quality, and Recruiting. 

It also includes an auditorium where board meetings, seminars, and presentations are conducted.