ValueOptions®' Abdou-Malta Receives State `Women of Distinction' Honor in Recognition of Her Efforts on Behalf of Those in Need
Albany, N.Y. — June 4, 2007
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno has nominated Renee Abdou-Malta, Vice President of the Empire Service Center for ValueOptions, Inc., in Troy, N.Y., for the New York State Senate's ‘Women of Distinction' honor.
"Renee plays a critical role in overseeing the needs of those New Yorkers who suffer from behavioral health issues and it is through her hard work and determination that she has been tasked with such responsibilities," said Senator Bruno.
‘Women of Distinction,' created in 1998, publicly recognizes those extraordinary individuals who have contributed to the success and progress of society in the course of their work.
"I am honored and humbled to have been nominated for this prestigious award," Abdou-Malta said. "Behavioral health care is an enormous issue in the state of New York and across the nation. I appreciate the fact that Senator Bruno has chosen to honor me and thus highlight this important concern."
"We're very proud of Renee and the work she does on behalf of individuals who are in need of behavioral health care," said Chris Wilson, Senior Vice President of National and Health Plans Accounts for ValueOptions. "I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this tribute."
Nominees representing each district across the state will be invited to a reception and awards ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Albany on June 5. Each woman's photograph and biography will be included in an exhibit proclaiming the special contributions of these exemplary individuals.
Abdou-Malta is responsible for overall management of the New York State Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Abuse program, which covers more than one million lives.
Abdou-Malta began her health care career in 1985 as an Emergency Room Nurse at Faxton Hospital in Utica, N.Y. In 1998, she became the Director of Clinical Services for Kimberly Quality Care Home Care Agency in Utica, N.Y.
She joined ValueOptions in 1992 as a Referral Line Clinician then served as a Clinical Manager before accepting the position as Director of Clinical and Service Operations in 1999. Abdou-Malta was named to her current position in 2001.
Abdou-Malta, a New York native, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Niagara (N.Y.) University, and a Master's Degree in Nursing from Syracuse (N.Y.) University.
A graduate of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Institute, Abdou-Malta is a Certified Case Manager and a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant; a member of the New York Business Group on Health; a member of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of New York City (NAMI); and a member of the New York State Nurses Association. She has recently accepted a board membership for the Northeastern New York Alzheimer's Association.