Orthopaedics Advisory Council

Sam is executive vice president of Wealth Brands, managing CNB Wealth Management, Canandaigua National Trust Company of Florida, Online Brokerage Services, Inc., and Canandaigua National Bank’s Insurance Agency located in Rochester, NY. Previously, he held executive positions at Citicorp Investment Services and M&T Bank Corporation. He earned a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Rochester.

Sam serves on the Friends of Rochester Athletics and Aquinas Institute boards. He supports women’s basketball and men’s football at the University of Rochester as well as the Memorial Art Gallery, Golisano Children’s Hospital, and the Wilmot Cancer Institute. As a former student and athlete at the University of Rochester, the MSK Council has provided an opportunity for Sam to become more engaged with the University, support the local community, and promote the Medical Center’s high-quality musculoskeletal and orthopaedics programs.  

Mark has held a number of senior leadership engineering positions in research and development at Xerox Corporation, having obtained over 30 patents. He received his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University in Boston and his master of business administration from the University of Rochester. 

Mark is a member of the Rochester Society of Engineers and previously served on the Monroe County Catholic Schools board. He is past president of the Fairport Rotary Club. Mark and his wife, Deb, have been generous donors to the University for more than a decade, and members of the George Eastman Circle supporting Strong Memorial Hospital, URMC, and Golisano Children’s Hospital. He believes that the MSK Council will help reinforce the vision that the University promotes to not only make Rochester a better community, but to be a leader in health care and state-of-the-art medical technologies.

Francis J. Clement is a self-employed financial services professional and runs Clement Wealth Management, based in New York, and assists clients in 22 states through a comprehensive fee-based planning process to usher them to financial independence. Clement graduated from the University of Rochester in 1997 with a bachelor of arts in economics. 

Clement is involved in several organizations within the Rochester area including the Black Women’s Leadership Council lead sponsor at Xerox Corporation, Black Physician’s Network of Greater Rochester, and George Eastman Circle. He serves as a board member on the University of Rochester Network Leadership Cabinet and Church of Love Faith Center, as co-chair of the African American Giving Initiative, and on Board of Directors as advancement committee chair for the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Clement joined the MSK Council as his clients are primarily the baby-boomer generation who note that orthopedic issues are a growing concern. He would like to help them connect with the trusted resources at the department of orthopaedics at URMC.

Jeff is a Venture Partner at The Column Group (TCG), a leading life sciences venture capital firm, and is interim CEO of Atavistik Bio, a TCG portfolio company. Previously, Jeff was President & CEO of Surface Oncology, where he continues to serve on the board of directors. Jeff also serves on the board of directors of Atavistik Bio, Kallyope and LogicBio, as well as on the board of advisors at Life Science Cares. Jeff graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor of arts in biology and two masters of science degrees in pathology and microbiology and immunology. He also earned a master of business administration from the Simon Business School.

Jeff was born and raised in Rochester, NY and completed his scientific graduate training in the department of orthopaedics at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He believes the MSK Council will help him give back to the department, University, and community that played an important role in his professional and personal development.

Melinda is a financial professional having served as Treasurer of NCR Corporation, Corporate Controller of Paychex, and CFO of GateHouse Media. Additionally, she is a certified public accountant. She graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a bachelor of science in chemistry where she also earned a master of business in finance and accounting.

Melinda had a bone disease in her youth and received professional orthopaedic treatment that restored her bone health and physical abilities. She believes the MSK Council will play a key role in helping the orthopaedics department meet its mission of keeping patients healthy, mobile, and fit. 

Laura is an accomplished communications expert and is recently retired from her role as director of corporate communications at Paychex, Inc. after nearly two decades. Previously, she led marketing and communications for United Way of Greater Rochester and was a news anchor/reporter at WHEC-TV for more than a decade. Laura graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication.

Laura is engaged in a number of prominent volunteer roles within the Rochester community including the Strong National Museum of Play and United Way Women’s Leadership Council Steering Committee, and is a former trustee of WXXI and the Little Theater. As mom to a 16-year-old baseball player, skier, and boxer, Laura appreciates the unique value and importance of both the care and research offered by the department of orthopaedics, having had first-hand experience with Dr. Gregg Nicandri who treated her son. Laura joined the MSK Council with a desire to help advance the message of URMC’s musculoskeletal and orthopaedics program—with both current constituents and the next generation.

Dan is the CEO and board director at Tauck, previously serving as vice president of sales and marketing. He helped launch Tauck Ventures and built the Tauck Bridges and River Cruise businesses. He received his degree from St. Lawrence University.

Dan serves on the boards of Tauck Inc. and the United States Tour Operator Association. He was vice chair of the McQuaid Jesuit High School Board and served for many years on the Genesee Country Village and Museum Board. He supports a number of areas across the University of Rochester and Medical Center including Golisano Children’s Hospital, Eastman School of Music, Memorial Art Gallery, Wilmot Cancer Institute, and the School of Medicine and Dentistry. He believes that the new orthopaedics campus will enable greater service and care that is essential to the quality of life of a huge cross section of residents of Monroe County and beyond. Across this campus, skilled and caring professionals will provide valuable bone, joint, and other care, allowing individuals to not only pursue life’s “simpler” pleasures, but also help realize personal sports and adventure pursuits. Dan is appreciative of the great care that he and his active family have received over the years.

Duffy is the former co-owner of 80W, an upscale East End lounge restaurant located in downtown Rochester. Previously, he served as secretary of education for the New York State Governor’s Office. He served as a member on the boards of the Memorial Art Gallery, Nazareth College, Allendale Columbia School, and Young Women’s Prep, among other local organizations. Duffy graduated from Buffalo State College with a bachelor of science degree in learning and behavioral disorders and from the University of Buffalo with a master of science degree in education.

As an educator, Duffy considers two of the many strengths of the Rochester community to be the higher education and the medical and health industries. The MSK Council and department of orthopaedics offer many ways in which life can be improved through a wealth of resources, knowledge, and experienced individuals. As a former athlete and coach, and as an advocate for our inner-city youth, he is especially excited about the Center for Human Athleticism and Musculoskeletal Performance and Prevention programs and the commitment that the MSK Council is making to improve the lives of the next generations.

Dick is senior director of business development at Erdman Anthony. Throughout his engineering consultant career, Dick has provided mechanical and electrical system designs, including many on the University of Rochester campuses. He assisted with renovations of every dorm building on the River campus; numerous renovations and expansion projects at the University of Rochester Medical Center; renovations at Eastman Theater and the new Hatch hall; the George Eastman House addition and renovation of the historic house; creation of Geva Theatre’s performance space; and Strong National Museum of Play’s butterfly garden. Dick graduated from the University of Rochester with a mechanical engineering degree.

Dick serves on the Rochester Network Leadership Cabinet and Friends of Rochester Athletics board, among many other community boards. He has had multiple successful orthopedic procedures over the years, which have provided him the opportunity to continue enjoying his sporting life at the highest level. Dick joined the MSK Council as an inaugural member to provide input on the orthopedic patient experience.

Anthony is the founder and managing partner of Broadreach Technology Advisors that provides technology consultancy and technology brokerage services nationally. Prior to launching the firm in 2017, Anthony spent over 30 years in executive sales position with global organizations such as Nortel Networks, Global Crossing (now known as Century Link), GTT, and most recently Mitel.  Anthony earned a bachelor of arts in organizational management from Roberts Wesleyan College. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a recipient of the prestigious United States Air Force Achievement Medal. 

As a grateful patient, Anthony realizes how fortunate the community is to have the caliber of clinical care and research offered by department of orthopaedics. Becoming an active member of MSK Council is an extension of his appreciation and he is proud to contribute in a variety of ways to increase the visibility, support, and profile of the department.

Naomi is the president, CEO, and COO of the Rochester Red Wings, the country's first and only female at the helm of a professional Minor League baseball franchise. Naomi is board chair of the Boys and Girls Club and serves on the boards of URMC, United Way, Special Olympics, Monroe Community College Foundation, and the KeyBank Advisory Board, addition to other philanthropic causes in the Rochester area.

Because many Red Wings players worked with Orthopaedics faculty members Drs. Ken DeHaven and Mike Maloney, Naomi gained first-hand knowledge of the outstanding surgeons and physical therapists at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Naomi also has personal experience with Dr. Maloney and Dr. Paul Rubery, both of whom cared for her children. Naomi believes the MSK Council is an exciting, worthwhile, and necessary part of URMC’s future.

For over 32 years, Karen and her husband, Neil, have supported the University of Rochester Medical Center. Karen graduated a bachelor in arts in liberal studies from the University of Rochester. During her 27 years at Bausch & Lomb, she had numerous leadership positions in research and development, international and domestic marketing, and sales.

The Tuckers began directing their giving to orthopaedic and musculoskeletal research in 2013. At a University event, the Tuckers learned about the Center for Musculoskeletal Research and joined the Wilson Society with a significant gift through their estate to support arthritis research. In 2017, the Tuckers established the Neil and Karen Jonasse Tucker Research Endowment with lifetime gifts. In 2019, the couple established the Neil and Karen Jonasse Tucker Endowed Professorship in Orthopaedic Research to support a research faculty member with a primary appointment in the department of orthopaedics. Karen is an active advocate for the Center and feels strongly that the community needs to be aware of the importance of supporting research that gives back function and mobility to individuals.