Welcome Two New Department Chiefs

Welcome Two New Department Chiefs
Two new department chiefs have joined Highland. Mary M. Wilsch, M.D., is the new Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Cynthia D. Bliss, M.D., is the new Chief of Pediatrics.
  Dr. Wilsch practiced at Highland and Genesee Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology for more than a decade. Previously, she practiced with Rochester Gynecologic and Obstetric Associates. She has been recognized with numerous awards for teaching, research and compassionate care, including the Residency Teaching Awards for OB/Gyn in 2014, 2015 and 2021, and for Family Medicine in 2017 and 2019.

In 2010, Dr. Wilsch moved to Syracuse for family reasons, but found the medical community there not as collegial as it is in the Flower City. “When I was in Syracuse, I really missed Rochester and the way people work together for the common goal of patient-centered care,” she said. “I found my home coming back to Rochester.”

In her new role, Dr. Wilsch plans to build the OB/Gyn practice based on the maxim that every part makes a better whole.

“People forget that we are connected to a major medical facility at Strong. Our patients get the best of both worlds – all the benefits of Strong with the community-based care at Highland.”

A graduate of SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Wilsch earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from D’Youville College and completed her OB/Gyn residency at the University of Rochester.
In her spare time, Dr. Wilsch enjoys RV camping in places where she can completely disconnect. She recently camped at 9,000 feet in Colorado.

  Dr. Bliss became Chief of Pediatrics in July after joining Highland Hospital in January of 2024 as Medical Director of the Nursery and Special Care Nursery.

After studying biochemistry and music at Ithaca College, Dr. Bliss earned her medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry and completed an internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

She started her career working in the Pediatric emergency department at Strong Memorial Hospital for two years. From that role, Dr. Bliss moved to Rhode island where she spent two decades — six years working in the emergency department and then 14 years as a Primary Care pediatrician. She was a member of the clinical faculty at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and received two teaching awards for her supervision of medical students in her office-based practice.

When her husband, Dr. Joseph Bliss, took a position in Neonatology at Golisano Children's Hospital, she returned to Rochester.

With a long-standing interest in newborn medicine, Dr. Bliss is excited about her latest role. “Children are phenomenal to work with, and I have learned so much from all of the children and families I have had the privilege to care for over the years,” she said. “I have enjoyed all aspects of primary care but seeing newborns and guiding new parents through this major life transition has always been a favorite part of my practice.” 

Dr. Bliss is excited to continue to support the excellent work of the entire team in the Family Maternity Center through sharing her insights from primary care and working together with community partners to align best practices. In her free time, Dr. Bliss enjoys spending time with her four young-adult children, playing piano and gardening.

3/3/2025