In 1881, we began caring for our neighbors as the House of the Good Samaritan in a home with five beds. Today, Samaritan Health is a comprehensive not-for-profit health system. And as we’ve grown to meet the changing needs of our region, we’ve held fast to our community roots.
At Samaritan, we’ve invested in the best medical talent, facilities and equipment to offer a full continuum of care close to home. That means our patients can spend more time healing and less time traveling out of the area for the care they need.
As the largest hospital and the largest private employer in the region, the health of our community is our priority – in fact, it’s our mission. That’s why Samaritan invests time and resources to support local non-profit organizations and events. It’s also why our people lend a hand to little league teams, churches and fundraisers—all to help Northern New York thrive.
Awards & Memberships
Samaritan Medical Center and its affiliates are proud to support local, state and national organizations and groups. Additionally, staff and physicians work diligently to achieve recognition, certification and accreditation by well-respected professional organizations, many of which require rigorous surveys and inspections in order to accomplish these achievements.
Professional Accreditations/Certifications
- The Joint Commission
- American College of Radiology (Mammography, MRI, Ultrasound)
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield – Blue Distinction® Centers+ for Total Hip and Knee Replacement
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Blue Distinction® Centers+ for Maternity Care
- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) – Patient Centered Medical Home Level III status was awarded to the LeRay Family Practice, Plaza Family Practice, Lacona Family Practice, and Clayton Family Practice
- New York State Department of Health
- American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
- Samaritan Medical Center and the office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Counsel for Continuing Medical Education (CCME) as a Category 1 CME Sponsor.
Memberships
- American Hospital Association
- Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS)
- Iroquois Healthcare Alliance – Central New York Region
- Leading Age
- American Society for Healthcare Risk Management – Membership group of the American Hospital Association (AHA) focusing on developing and implementing safe and effective patient care practices, the preservation of financial resources and the maintenance of safe working environments. Member since 2011.
- Association for Healthcare Risk Management of New York – Committed to healthcare risk management and patient safety in New York. Member since 2012.
- ECRI Institute – ECRI Institute is an independent, nonprofit organization that researches the best approaches to improving the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care.
- Association of Healthcare Philanthropy
- Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce
- Northern New York-Fort Drum Chapter, Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
- Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization
Affiliation
Community Involvement
Samaritan’s 2,000+ employees and physicians give generously of their time and talent to ensure that the community remains strong and vibrant for generations to come. This is demonstrated through the countless hours and dollars that the Samaritan people give back through volunteering in church groups, Boy/Girl Scout Clubs, service clubs, and several not-for-profit agencies.
Additionally, Samaritan is committed to supporting organizations and causes, which strengthen our local community and contribute to the health and well-being of our citizens. Below are some of those organizations and photos of our staff making a difference.
- ACR Health
- American Heart Association
- American Cancer Society
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Children’s Home of Jefferson County
- Children’s Miracle Network
- Hospice of Jefferson County
- Jefferson Leadership Institute
- Kinney Drugs Foundation
- North Country Community Cup
- North Country Family Health Center
- North Country Festival of Trees
- United Way of NNY
- Victims’ Assistance Center of Jefferson County
- Volunteer Transportation Center
- Watertown Family YMCA
- Watertown Urban Mission
Community Health Assessment & Community Health Improvement Plan
Jefferson County’s 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) identify, prioritize and address community health needs. Coordinated by the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, the CHA/CHIP represents a collaboration of the Jefferson County Public Health Service, Samaritan Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital and River Hospital. The resulting plan and activities are being implemented by these five partners with support from a variety of community-based organizations. The work aligns with New York State’s 2019-2024 Prevention Agenda, whose vision is to make New York “the healthiest state for people across all ages.”
The CHA/CHIP also fulfills a requirement of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act compelling non-profit hospitals to develop a three-year action plan addressing community health needs as identified in a current community health assessment.
For more information about county and regional health care planning, and to access additional related reports and data, please click here.
Our Services
Behavioral Health
Cancer Care
Cardiology
Emergency Care
Imaging (Radiology)
Infusion
Healthy Lifestyles
Hospitalist Program
Long Term Care
Laboratory
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Pediatrics
Rehabilitation & Therapy
Surgical Care
Wound Care