Alan Chartock is joined by James Barba, President and C.E.O. of Albany Medical Center to talk about the history of Albany Medical Center.

James Barba is president and chief executive officer of Albany Medical Center. In these capacities, he oversees the medical education, biomedical research and patient care activities of northeastern New York's only academic health sciences center.

Mr. Barba was named chairman of the Medical Center's Board of Directors in July, 1994 and served in that position through June, 2006, and was named president and chief executive officer in March, 1995. He was formerly senior counsel to the Albany law firm of Hiscock & Barclay. He is an expert on banking law, corporate law, trust and estate law and employee benefits law.

In addition to his continuing service as a member of the Board of the Albany Medical Center, Mr. Barba is a Board member of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce (formerly served as Board Chair), a Board member of the Center for Economic Growth; a Board member of the Health Care Association of New York State (HANYS); a Director of the University Heights Association (a consortium of four education institutions * law, pharmacy, medical and graduate and undergraduate education); a member of the Board of Advisors of Key Bank, N.A. (the upstate New York region); and a member of the New York State Transplant Council. He has served as Board Chair of the Trudeau Institute (a biomedical research institute located in Saranac Lake, New York); as a member of the Board of Trustees of Siena College, where he chaired the Strategic Planning Committee; a member of the Board of Trustees of WMHT Educational Telecommunications; and a member of the Board of the Fort Orange Club. He is a member of the 50 Group.

In 2005, the Capital District Business Review named Mr. Barba as the Executive of the Year. In 2006, he was honored by Siena College, which presented him with its Career Achievement Award. In 2008, Siena College awarded Mr. Barba the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters for his distinguished service to the people of New York State through his exemplary leadership in support of medical education, biomedical research and patient care. He has been cited for his leadership in health care by the American Heart Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mr. Barba, who graduated summa cum laude in 1966 from Siena College, received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School, graduating cum laude in 1969. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and holds a number of other civic and private appointments.

When not speaking with artists, musicians, philanthropists, lawmakers, newsmakers, and world changers, Dr. Alan S. Chartock serves as President of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio. Follow Alan on Twitter, or read his blog.

Listen to more of WAMC's In Conversation With... series at the series' website.