By Lydia Szyjka
When Patricia Bomba ’72 was 10 years old, she witnessed huge gaps in the care her grandmother received at the end of her life. Driven by these observations, Bomba later delved into the emerging fields of geriatrics and palliative care and found her passion.
Her early career showed a commitment to treating the underserved, focusing on uninsured and underinsured patients and migrant workers. This dedication culminated in her leadership role on the geriatrics assessment team at Rochester General Hospital.
Transitioning into private practice, Bomba honed her expertise in geriatric care for frail elders and patients with multiple co-morbidities, becoming a beacon of knowledge and compassion in the field. She developed the first physician-nurse practitioner practice model in a long-term care setting in Rochester, New York in 1983. After two decades in private practice, she embraced a new challenge as vice president and medical director of geriatrics at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Throughout her illustrious career, Bomba earned national and international recognition as an expert in palliative care, end-of-life issues and elder abuse. She was awarded her mastership in the American College of Physicians (M.A.C.P.) and fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians (F.A.C.P.). She led a range of impactful community initiatives, including advocating for early advance care planning for all individuals 18 years and older and leading statewide development and implementation of the New York Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) to improve pain management. Additionally, she worked with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) on policy issues and directed legislative advocacy for MOLST. Among her many accomplishments, Bomba served as a member of the 2015 National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Committee that produced “Dying in America;” she represented New York State at the White House Conference on Aging; and as the first physician and second woman chair of the Board of Directors, she guided the creation of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
She studied pre-medicine at Immaculata on a full scholarship and graduated first in her class. She is grateful for the healthy competition and support among her fellow pre-med classmates and for the collaborative approaches that the faculty instilled in the students. She received the Amethyst Award in 2016 as well as several other awards over her career.
Bomba recognizes the importance of giving back and supporting Immaculata. As a scholarship recipient, she donates annually, recognizing how the faculty, her fellow students and the University have contributed to her ability to make a difference in her professional work.
Now in retirement, Bomba relocated to southern Delaware. She continues to volunteer as chair of the MOLST Statewide Implementation Team, which she created at the request of the NYSDOH Commissioner of Health in 2010.
The Mother M. Camilla Maloney Award is presented to those who demonstrate leadership and vision to sustain the future of Immaculata through service—including volunteerism, council and philanthropic support—to carry on the mission and vision of Mother Camilla.
