Garnet Health Announces Nursing Leadership Promotions

MIDDLETOWN, NY (Jan. 27, 2025) — Garnet Health announces the promotions of three exceptional nursing professionals whose leadership, expertise and dedication continue to enhance the organization’s commitment to high-quality patient care and professional excellence.

Jane Giganti, MSN, NPD-BC, CNL, CCRN, has been promoted to Administrator of Nursing Professional Excellence and Organizational Development and Learning at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York. Giganti began her career with Garnet Health in 2000, as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Arden Hill Hospital. Transitioning into the Nursing Professional Development department, Giganti has distinguished herself as a critical-care educator. During her tenure, Giganti has:

• Helped establish the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT)
• Collaborated on the ICU Early Mobility Project, featured in the Society of Critical Care Medicine Journal
• Implemented evidence-based tools for delirium screening
• Led the Critical Care Fellowship program
• Presented at the New Jersey AACN Critical Care Conference

From 2018 to 2022, Giganti advanced her career at Nuvance Health System, where she developed an ECMO training program and implemented initiatives for cardiothoracic patient care. Since returning to Garnet Health Medical Center in 2022, she has led training programs for nurses in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), including TAVR training, and continues to oversee key programs such as MERT, the Organ Donation Council and Shared Governance.

Board certified in critical care nursing, in nursing professional development and as a clinical nurse leader, Giganti is now responsible for program development, education and interdisciplinary collaboration across the system.

Lashay Houston, BSN, RN, CMSRN, CCRN, has been promoted to Nurse Unit Director for Critical Care, overseeing the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York. Joining Garnet Health Medical Center in 2018 as a staff nurse in the MICU, Houston has demonstrated outstanding leadership through her roles as Administrative Director of Nursing for the night shift in 2022 and Nursing Director of the 3 North Progressive Care Unit/Step-Down Unit.

In her new role, Houston will oversee daily operations, performance improvement initiatives, financial management, and the satisfaction of both patients and staff. Known for her exceptional leadership and dedication to excellence, Houston also serves as an instructor at SUNY Orange. She will complete her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Capella University in December 2025.

Jennifer Malinchak, RN, has been promoted to Manager of Occupational Health and Wellness for the Garnet Health System, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role.

Joining Garnet Health in 2008 as a registered nurse, Malinchak has also served with Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties. A certified practitioner and member of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), Malinchak is also pursuing her Reiki certification and is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association. Her commitment to holistic and integrative health practices further enhances Garnet Health’s dedication to comprehensive employee wellness.

Malinchak holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Rutgers University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and an Associate of Science in Nursing from SUNY Orange.
 

For more information about career opportunities at Garnet Health, visit careers.garnethealth.org.

About Garnet Health 

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 500,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskills region. Garnet Health provides the services of more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org.