Both leaders in the community: Welcome General Austin Jr., and Dr. Burch
The Jones Memorial Board of Directors is pleased to welcome two new members to the board as of July 2025. Dr. Kelly Burch is the owner dentist of Burch Family Dental in Cuba, NY. The board also welcomes Brigadier General, Arthur G. Austin Jr., United States Army (Retired) who also resides in Cuba, NY.
Dr. Burch is a 2014 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine (Cum Laude). She completed a general practice residency at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in 2015. In 2021, she transitioned into the ownership of Dr. Willard Simons’ dental practice, which had been operating for 48 years at the time of her transition. Dr. Burch finds rural medicine rewarding because it allows her to develop deep professional and personal connections with her patients. She feels incredibly fortunate to have taken over a well-established practice, enabling her to continue providing care to patients for generations. She feels honored to have been invited to join the board of Jones Memorial Hospital and hopes to contribute to a community that has been incredibly supportive to her family.
BG Austin (Ret) is originally from Detroit, MI and lived in Southfield, MI for over 25 years before moving to NY. He began his miliary career in 1977 as an enlisted member in the 177MP Group, 210th Military Police Battalion MIARNG. He retired as the Deputy Commanding General, 46th Miliary Police Command from the Command and Control CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) Response Element (C2CRE), command team on October 31, 2014. He mobilized during the 1980 Cuban Refugee Crisis, is December 1990 for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, in 2003 to Guantanamo Bay Cuba for Operation Enduring Freedom, 2005 for Operation Katrina/Rita and in 2008 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. BG Austin (Ret) holds a BA is Social Science from Michagan State University, an MA in Organizational Management form the University of Phoenix and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. He is also a graduate of Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government National Preparedness Leadership course and an inductee in the Michigan State University ROTC Spartan Battalion Hall of Fame. He was also the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) National Outstanding Veteran Volunteer 2024.
Karol Marciano, Board Chair stated, “Dr. Burch and BG Austin are both leaders in the community and will bring a strong voice and dedication to the Jones Memorial Hospital board and its mission to advance access to healthcare in our rural communities. We are confident that their vision for the future of healthcare in our region and expertise in navigating challenges in a rural setting will be assets to this organization.”
Currently, Dr. Burch resides in Cuba with her husband, Dustin, their five-year-old son, Griffin, and their two labrador retrievers, Henley and Benelli. Dr. Burch is an avid physical activity enthusiast and often enjoys biking, hiking, or running with her family. BG Austin (Ret) now lives in Cuba, NY with his wife Karen.
ABOUT JONES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Jones Memorial Hospital (JMH), located in beautiful southwestern New York State, is a 49-bed acute care facility serving all of Allegany County, as well as western Steuben County and northern Potter County, PA. Truly a community hospital, JMH is committed to continuously raising quality and safety to higher levels and providing top quality healthcare.
