Siena College is honored to have the opportunity to recognize the achievements of Mr. James J. Barba, Esq., Siena College Class of 1966, President and Chief Executive Officer of Albany Medical Center.
Mr. James J. Barba is the leader of one of only 125 academic health sciences centers in the Nation and the only such health care institution in northeastern New York State. He is responsible for the medical education, biomedical research and patient care activities of northeastern New York State's only academic health sciences center. Mr. Barba has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since 1995 and previously served as Chairman of the Medical Center's Board of Directors.
Mr. Barba was formerly Senior Counsel to the Albany law firm of Hiscock & Barclay. Since 1979, he has served as a Trustee of the Albany Medical College and also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trudeau Institute, a biomedical research center. In 1993, Mr. Barba was appointed by then Governor Mario Cuomo to chair New York State's Special Advisory Commission to Restore Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the nation’s largest not-for-profit health care insurer. From 1998 to 2007, Mr. Barba also served as a member of the Siena College Board of Trustees.
Following his graduation from Siena College, Mr. Barba attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School. Mr. Barba is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Albany County Bar Association and holds a number of other civic and private appointments.
In recognition of his extensive record of service to the people of New York State through his exemplary leadership in support of medical education, biomedical research, and patient care, Siena College presents Mr. James J. Barba, Esq., Siena College Class of 1966, with the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters.