Panel recommends Jenny Sutcliffe for Tompkins County Whole Health commissioner; offer accepted, start date not set

Tompkins County’s search panel unanimously recommended Jenny Sutcliffe as the next Whole Health commissioner and the county administrator reported that Sutcliffe has accepted the county’s job offer, though a start date has not been set.

Harmony Ayersfried Bender, Deputy Commissioner, read a memorandum from the county administrator describing the search. The panel of 10 members — which included representatives from county administration, the Tompkins County Legislature, the Tompkins County Board of Health, the Community Services Board and department heads — received 16 applications. Seven candidates were invited to 30-minute virtual interviews, and two finalists came for extended in-person interviews including a staff Q&A and site visits.

According to the county administrator’s memo, the panel “unanimously agreed to recommend Jenny Sutcliffe as the next county whole health commissioner.” The memo said Sutcliffe brings experience from the New York City health department and state agencies and that she lives locally. The county administrator accepted the panel’s recommendation and made an offer, and Sutcliffe has accepted; the memo did not list a start date.

Mary Hutchins, who served on the search panel, told the board she and other panel members were impressed by the process and by the finalist candidates. “It just felt like a really credible process and it felt good to be part of,” Hutchins said. The board discussed whether a résumé or summary of background could be shared; staff said they would check with county HR about what materials can be distributed.

Ending Board members said they appreciated a transparent selection process and asked staff to seek permission from HR to share basic background materials about the selected candidate.