Elected: 2017, 2021, 2024
Current Term Ends: 2027
Committees: Compensation & Assessment, Philanthropy & Engagement
When you ask Jack Dembow why he wants to serve on the Ithaca College Board of Trustees, he gets right to the heart of it. "Ithaca College matters to me," Jack says. "Helping to 'future proof' the college will assure others will have the same experience I did — but for many, many years to come."
Jack graduated from IC in 1977 with a bachelor's in Health Services Administration. Following his graduation, he went on to earn a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration from George Washington University. He knew early on that he wanted to go into hospital administration, and his experience at IC solidified his choice. "The IC program required an internship, and I did mine at the 1,100-bed Bronx Municipal Hospital Center," Jack recalls. "I was the evening administrator, and that level of responsibility and the excitement that went with it, reinforced that this was the right career for me."
Now retired, Jack began his career as the Assistant Administrator of St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. He then became Vice President for Behavioral Health of the Einstein Healthcare Network, and CEO of its behavioral health system called Belmont Behavioral Health, which included a 200 bed freestanding psychiatric hospital, numerous outpatient sites and day treatment programs. Under Jack's leadership, Belmont grew to become the region's largest system of mental health and chemical dependency services. Later, when the Einstein Network partnered with the larger Jefferson Health System, also in Philadelphia, Jack’s role was expanded to serve both systems concurrently.
Jack retired in 2002 . . . for the first time. The second time came in 2011, after Jack served for six years as CEO of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia.
Jack remains committed to Ithaca College. In 2003, he established the Jack H. Dembow '77 Scholarship for health care administration students. In addition, he provides continuing support for LGBTQ programming through the Jack H. Dembow LGBTQ Advocacy Scholarship. He's hosted new student welcome receptions and has spoken at regional events.
Jack lives in Philadelphia, with his husband, Mark Delowery, D.O.