The Board of Directors of Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors, 180 Washington Ave., Ext., Albany has announced the appointment of Dr. Samuel A. Weisblatt, M.D., M.S., as its new president and chief executive officer, following the retirement of Mark Koblenz. He will start in his new position in July.

Weisblatt, a board-certified physician in hospice and palliative medicine as well as psychiatry, has spent nearly a decade caring for the elderly in their homes, including skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

Most recently, the doctor served as lead hospice team physician at VNS Health Hospice Care in New York City. In this role, created specifically for him, he led interdisciplinary care teams, mentored physicians, implemented quality improvement initiatives, and worked closely with donors and leadership on strategic planning. He has also served as a staff psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital and completed fellowships at NYU Langone Medical Center in both hospice and palliative medicine and consultation-liaison psychiatry.

“Dr. Weisblatt is not only an accomplished physician but also a visionary leader with the right combination of clinical insight, team-building ability, and heartfelt devotion to those we serve,” said Dr. Paul Mozer, chairman of the CEO search committee. “We are confident that he will honor our traditions while guiding the Daughters of Sarah Community toward a bright and impactful future.”

A graduate of the Tel Aviv University Faculty of Medicine, Weisblatt earned a master’s degree in physiology from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in business and management from the University of Maryland. He has been recognized nationally for his contributions to hospice medicine, including a recent nomination for the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine’s Distinguished Hospice Physician Award.

Dr. Paul Mozer, chairman of the CEO search committee, added, “A frequent speaker and educator, the doctor is known for his warm leadership style and his ability to foster cultures of openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement. He will also bring to Daughters of Sarah his nonprofit governance experience, having served as a trustee at the Stanton Street Shul in New York City.

“I am deeply honored to join the Daughters of Sarah Community,” said Weisblatt. “This is a sacred responsibility—to serve elders with respect, empathy, and excellence. I look forward to building on the strong foundation created by Mr. Koblenz and so many others over the years.”

Weisblatt and his wife, Laura, live in Glenmont with their four young children.

Koblenz, who served as president and CEO of Daughters of Sarah for more than two decades, expressed his enthusiasm about the transition: “It has been an honor to serve this community. Dr. Weisblatt is a compassionate and capable leader whose vision and heart will serve our elders and staff well.”

Daughters of Sarah Community for Seniors is a not-for-profit organization rooted in Jewish values, committed to providing a continuum of care for older adults of all faiths and backgrounds.