Patrick Seche ’98 is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the University of Rochester Medical Center’s (URMC) Department of Psychiatry, one of the organization’s largest departments with over 1,500 faculty and staff delivering 420,000+ outpatient services annually. He oversees everything from clinical operations and residency and fellowship training to psychiatric emergency services and geriatric programs.
“A big clinical component includes numerous outpatient programs,” said Seche. “We have a lot of different teams out in the community providing crisis-level services.”
When attending SUNY Brockport, Seche initially planned to become a school health teacher. Eventually, Associate Professor Gary Metz recognized Seche’s potential and encouraged him to pursue a concentration in addictions and behavioral health studies.
“The internship requirement was a huge contributing factor in my transition from a college student to a professional.”
Patrick Seche
“The program is well-designed,” Seche said. “The internship requirement was a huge contributing factor in my transition from a college student to a professional.”
That internship became the springboard for Seche’s first role as an alcoholism counselor, eventually launching a career that has spanned over two decades at URMC.
One of Seche’s formative moments at Brockport came while serving as a union manager at the Seymour College Union. Karen Podsiadly, Director of Student Union, Leadership, and Activities, challenged him to approach the role as a professional.
“Karen set high standards,” Seche said. “I accepted the challenge and pushed myself to meet them. That was the beginning for me.”
Transitioning from peer to leader was a challenge Seche first navigated in college. In addition to being a union manager, he served with Brockport Student Government (BSG), joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and participated in the Organization for Students of African Descent (OSAD).
Patrick Seche ’98
“I forged the foundation of my leadership skills at Brockport,” Seche said. “There were times I had to address challenges with my peers, whether it was upholding a rule or difficult decision. At URMC, I’ve transitioned from a colleague to a supervisor, needing to communicate decisions and standards with employees. There’s a parallel between those experiences.”
Staffing shortages in mental health services, exacerbated by the pandemic, remain a key challenge for the field. Under Seche’s leadership, the department is attempting to address the issue while responding to the increasing demand for care in Rochester, where numerous patients present diverse needs.
“We serve everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Unlike private sector providers, we have no exclusion criteria.”
Patrick Seche
“We serve everyone, regardless of their circumstances,” Seche emphasized. “Unlike private sector providers, we have no exclusion criteria. Many of our services are in person because that’s often the most appropriate modality.”
For students considering health services careers, Seche shared one key piece of advice.
“This is a field with a lot of opportunity,” Seche said. “An internship is essential. Explore different settings—inpatient, outpatient, community-based, or hospital-based—to find the best fit for you.”