Patrick H. Dollard is President and CEO of The Center for Discovery, an internationally renowned provider of research, intervention and residential services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and medical complexities, including autism spectrum disorders.  As a nationally recognized thought leader, Mr. Dollard is one of the field’s most innovative visionaries in the development of new models of cost-effective high quality care for special populations.  He regularly presents at national and international conferences including The Kresge Foundation, Health Care Without Harm, United Cerebral Palsy and the Autism Roundtable, among others.

Under his more than three decades of leadership, The Center has grown from a facility with 30 employees to more than 1,500 full time staff, dedicated to providing a range of educational, residential, clinical and recreational programs.  Mr. Dollard brought together researchers from Harvard Medical School, Georgia Tech, Northeastern University and others to develop a nationally recognized research program focused on collecting real-time, synchronized visual, auditory and physiological data that has led to cutting-edge breakthroughs in autism intervention.

Mr. Dollard also pioneered the development of environmentally advanced health care and educational facilities that utilize energy efficient technologies and sustainable construction materials. Under his guidance, The Discovery Health Center is recognized as a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by NCQA. It is the first healthcare facility in the country to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (U.S.G.B.C.) and was a recipient of the prestigious LEED certification.  This was followed by The Center’s Ridge Campus, New York State’s first specially designed campus for adolescents with autism, as well as its Michael Ritchie Big Barn Center for Environmental Health and Education, home to the Lab School and research program.  He also created The Center’s Thanksgiving Farm CSA, a biodynamically certified organic farm that provides produce and vocational training for residents of The Center, as well as the broader Sullivan County region.

The Center for Discovery contributes a total of more than $184 million in economic impact for New York State and is one of the largest providers of services in its field. Currently, Mr. Dollard is working to expand The Center’s reach by creating and building a Regional Children’s Assessment Center and Skilled Nursing Facility that will serve as a national model by improving the coordination of care for medically fragile individuals and those with autism spectrum disorders.  The Assessment Center is expected to reduce out-of-state placements for children with severe disabilities and prevent or delay expensive life long residential placements, saving New York State approximately $30,000,000 annually.

Mr. Dollard has served as President of the Hudson Valley Health Systems Agency (HSA) throughout the 1980’s.  He holds a Masters in Special Education from Long Island University and a B.S. in Adapted Physical Education from the State University of New York – Brockport.  Citing his distinguished accomplishments in the field and international reputation, the SUNY system awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in May 2013.