Former Assemb. Thomas Alfano joins Nassau University Medical Center

Former Assemb. Thomas Alfano, a Republican who represented North Valley Stream beginning in 1996 until he decided against seeking re-election in 2010, has a new $199,000-a-year job at the Nassau University Medical Center.

A spokeswoman for the public hospital said Alfano, 54, a lawyer with 30 years' experience, joined the center's legal department in June to replace a staff attorney who had resigned. She said he will handle such issues as employee relations, insurance, negotiations and contracts.

Alfano, like NUMC general counsel John Ciotti, is a protege of North Valley Stream Republican leader Joseph Cairo. Ciotti was appointed to his $300,000-a-year job in 2011 after losing a re-election bid to the Nassau Legislature.