Author: Eli Anderson

WATERTOWN, NY — Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce it has received the New York State Obstetric Hemorrhage Project’s 2021 Quality Improvement Award. This award recognizes the hospital’s dedicated work to meet the project’s goal of assessing at least 85% of patients for risk of obstetric hemorrhage, both on admission to the birth hospitalization and during the postpartum period.

Obstetric hemorrhage is one of the top three most common causes of maternal death, yet it is also known to be one of the most preventable causes of maternal mortality.

As a NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project participant, Samaritan Medical Center has worked to: improve readiness to respond to an obstetric hemorrhage by implementing standardized policies and procedures; develop rapid response teams; improve recognition of obstetric hemorrhage by performing ongoing quantification of blood loss; improve response to hemorrhage by performing regular on-site, multidisciplinary hemorrhage drills; and improve reporting of obstetric hemorrhage by using standardized definitions and consistent coding. 

“Samaritan is dedicated to providing safe, high-quality care to all of its patients, especially the young families, newborns and children who we see at our Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children,” said Thomas Carman, President and CEO of Samaritan. “We are honored to receive this award, and incredibly proud of our staff and their work to assess and reduce obstetric hemorrhage risk.”

The NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project was launched in November 2017 by the New York State Perinatal Quality Collaborative (NYSPQC) — an initiative of the state Department of Health — in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District II, Healthcare Association of NYS and Greater New York Hospital Association. NYSPQC empowers birthing hospitals across New York State to provide the best, safest and most equitable care for pregnant, birthing and postpartum people and their infants. Since September 2010, the NYSPQC has been collaborating with birthing facilities to improve and ensure the quality of obstetrical care, and infant health and safety.

Over the course of the project, which concluded in June 2021, Samaritan Medical Center had the opportunity to: learn from faculty and colleagues; receive individual coaching; gather new knowledge on the subject matter and process improvement; share experiences and collaborate on improvement plans; and create strategies to overcome improvement barriers. 

Due to Samaritan’s efforts, along with other participating hospitals, the NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project met its goal of reducing maternal morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric hemorrhage in New York State. In November 2018, the project goal of increasing hemorrhage risk assessment on admission to 85% of pregnant people was met. On-admission hemorrhage risk assessment improved 21% from baseline, and postpartum hemorrhage risk assessment improved 97% from baseline.

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is helping to create a culture of donation in our state by adding the New York State Donate Life Registry’s enrollment form to its website, making it easier than ever for the public to enroll as organ, eye, and tissue donors. As it has in April for many years, Samaritan will participate in outreach activities, communication, and education surrounding National Donate Life Month, which has a positive effect on members of the local community who need lifesaving transplants.

“No one knows when they or a loved one may need a transplant to survive or tissue to repair injury or treat disease,” said Thomas Carman, President and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “We want to let North Country community members know they can enroll quickly and easily through our website. Registering as a donor is an important step the public can make to ensure their wishes about donation are known and carried out.”

Those who wish to enroll should visit www.samaritanhealth.com/donate-life. The form is easy to fill out and only takes a few minutes.

While more than 3,000 lifesaving organ transplants were performed in the state last year, nearly 8,500 New Yorkers remain on the national organ transplant waitlist. In 2021, 465 patients awaiting an organ transplant in New York State died because the organ needed to save their lives was not donated in time.

“We applaud Samaritan Medical Center’s commitment to raising awareness of the lifesaving legacy left by organ, eye, and tissue donors,” said Aisha Tator, Executive Director of Donate Life New York State. “By providing the opportunity for the public to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry, they give hope to the thousands of patients in need of transplants.”

Donate Life New York State is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation throughout the state. It operates the New York State Donate Life Registry, an electronic database that documents a person’s consent to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor upon their death, under contract with the State of New York. New Yorkers age 16 or older can enroll in the Registry at www.samaritanhealth.com/donate-life.

WATERTOWN—Despite being another difficult year, with the ups and downs of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaritan welcomed more than 20 new physicians in 2021. Once again, Samaritan was unable to celebrate and welcome its new physicians at the annual New Physician Reception, but we are proud to introduce the following doctors to our community.

Most of these 21 new physicians are brand new to the North Country, but some are locals returning to serve their neighbors. A few completed residency through Samaritan’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) program, and others bring their talents to our area through our close relationships with Fort Drum.

Please join us in welcoming the following physicians to our community, and our medical facilities. Click on any physician to learn more.

New Physicians 2021

Mark C. Bristol, MD

Marco A. Campitelli, MD

John J. Costello, Jr., DO

Patrick A. Costello, MD

David C. Gordon, MD

Weston C. Goring, DPM

Christopher A. Kellogg, DO

Elizabeth Mathew, MD

Amy Nagai, DDS

Ganga R. Nair, MD

Maurice Tom-Pack, MD

James A. Turecki, MD

Macy VanArnam, MD

Daniel J. Williamson, MD

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for October 2021. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.

Michelle Watson, RN, Maternity, received the DAISY Award and Candice Matthews, Central Scheduler, Infusion, was honored with the BEE Award. Both staff members were nominated by Samaritan colleagues.

Watson was chosen to receive the DAISY Award for her kind, compassionate and team-player attitude.

“Michelle is one of the most humble nurses I have worked with over my 30-year career,” her nomination letter reads. “She is a team player focused on her patients and doing what is in their best interest. She is a kind, compassionate and truly genuine person who would do anything to help one of her patients, their family members, or a co-worker.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Michelle was presented a certificate commending her as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture is on display in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Matthews received the BEE Award for her extra efforts to help with Samaritan’s monoclonal antibody clinic, which helps COVID-19 patients recover from the disease.

“Candice has been an integral part of handling things for the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusions,” her nomination letter reads. “She really has stepped up and done the job of a couple of people, and we would not be functioning in the monoclonal clinic without her. We can’t thank her enough for all of her hard work and support throughout COVID-19.”

Matthews was presented a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination, or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

New wage structure addresses changes in North Country market

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Health has reached an agreement with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) to raise wages for its unionized registered nurses (RNs) significantly, by 14%, in light of current market conditions. As a result of this agreement, Samaritan has increased its starting RN wage from $30.41 to $34.67 an hour. The average full-time Samaritan RN earns approximately $82,500 per year.

Samaritan completed a significant market-rate adjustment for its employees in August of this year that impacted many positions and led to adopting a new $15 per hour minimum wage rate for all entry-level positions. Approximately 1,200 staff received a pay increase at that time. RN wages did not increase in August due to Samaritan’s assessment that its wages remained market-competitive at that time. However, RNs did receive a 1% lump-sum payment for their continued dedicated work.

Local and regional market RN wages have increased dramatically since August, and we recognized our nursing staff wages needed to be adjusted. As Samaritan completed its analysis, it was presented with a proposal from NYSNA that was consistent with our analysis and was accepted. The agreement was ratified by a vote of RNs on Monday, November 22, will be retroactive to August 1, 2021 and impacts 408 RNs at the Medical Center.

Samaritan is pleased that this pay change for our dedicated nurses will ensure its RNs are paid rates well within the competitive range for our region.

As the nationwide shortage of registered nurses continues to impact hospital systems throughout the country, this increase will supplement Samaritan’s continued efforts to recruit and retain nurses. We strive to hire and retain the highest-quality nurses through strong wage offers, a comprehensive benefits package, and sign-on bonuses.

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals by demonstrating continuous compliance with its patient safety standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

The Samaritan Medical Center and clinics underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site review from June 15 through June 18, 2021. During the visit, the team of Joint Commission surveyors evaluated compliance with all 18 chapters of the Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals. These include multiple standards and elements of performance. Some of these chapters include emergency management, information management, infection prevention and control, provision of care, treatment and services, medication management, life safety, and environment of care.

Additionally, our organization met all standards related to sterile medication compounding, high-level disinfection, and dialysis care, which were high focus areas for The Joint Commission.

“We’re very proud to have achieved re-accreditation from The Joint Commission – a voluntary, rigorous process that ensures our facility measures up to the highest standards in quality and patient care,” said Mario Victoria, M.D, chief medical officer at Samaritan Medical Center. “We’re especially grateful to our dedicated staff. This last year-and-a-half has strained health care systems across the U.S. more than ever. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, our staff and leadership team have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our patients and delivering the best care possible.”

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess, and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Samaritan Medical Center for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. For more information, visit www.jointcommission.org.

In-person viewing, online auction are open from Friday, November 26th to December 4th

Watertown, NY – A North Country Festival of Trees will once again kick off the holiday season in the North Country, offering an online tree auction and in-person tree viewing from November 26th – December 4th at the former Bon-Ton, Salmon Run Mall, 21073 Salmon Run Mall Loop. All trees on display are hand-decorated by community members and can be bid on for individual purchase or donation.

We are so appreciative of our generous sponsors, decorators and committee who have made this event a reality in such a challenging year. “Merry and Bright” is this year’s theme, and everyone – young and old – is sure to enjoy this magical holiday event.

A North Country Festival of Trees benefits healthcare services and programs at Samaritan Medical Center and children’s scholarships at the Watertown Family YMCA. The nine-day festival schedule is as follows:

Public Viewing: Trees will be on display for FREE public viewing at the former Bon-Ton from Friday, November 26 until Saturday, December 4. The public (in-person) viewing schedule is as follows:

• 11/26: 11am – 5pm
• 11/27: 11am – 5pm
• 11/28: 11am – 5pm
• 11/29: 12am – 7pm
• 12/30: 12pm – 7pm
• 12/1: 12am – 7pm
• 12/2: 12pm – 7pm
• 12/3: 12am – 5pm
• 12/4: 10am – 2pm

Please Note: All best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (including face masks, hand sanitizing, and social distancing) will be followed during public viewings.

Online Tree Auction: From November 26th to December 4th, all trees will be up for bid on our online tree auction site – www.samaritanhealth.com/festivaloftrees.

Live Tree Showcase and Auction: No matter where you live, you can participate in the magic of the Festival by tuning into our Live Tree Showcase and Auction from 7:00pm – 8:00PM on Friday, December 3rd. Join us on WNYF Fox 28 or online at www.samaritanhealth.com/festivaloftrees for holiday entertainment and a live auction of 10 featured trees.

Festival of Trees Dinner Packages: Dinner packages are available and can be ordered for delivery in time for the Live Tree Showcase and Auction on Friday, December 3rd. Our dinner partners this year are Garland City Beer Works, 1025 Ruyi Japanese Steakhouse and Charcuterie Boards by Lisa Sampson. To order your package or see more information, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/festivaloftrees or call 315-785-4584.

For more details of the event, go to www.samaritanhealth.com/festivaloftrees or call 315-785-4584.

Proceeds from three-day fundraiser, hosted by The Border 106.7 and 94Rock, to benefit local kids

Watertown, NY – The 21st annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon was held November 3-5, 2021 and raised $140,563 to help kids in the North Country.

The event was hosted by DJs Johnny Spezzano from the Border 106.7 and Lance Hale from 94Rock. Stories of inspirational local kids were shared live on air for three consecutive days from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, and the North Country showed its generosity by calling in with donations!

“Each year, we are simply overwhelmed by the generosity of our community,” said Bonnie Eppolito of the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, “We are truly thankful to our community for opening their hearts.”

“We have been proud to host this event for the past 21 years and assist the Children’s Miracle Network” said Jim Leven, President of Community Broadcasters. “Johnny, Lance and the entire Community Broadcasters team, with its advertisers, give their all to help, and we are happy to assist in raising an incredible amount of needed funds for the program.”

All funds raised for Children’s Miracle Network stay local. Funds are used to purchase the most advanced life-saving medical equipment needed to care for children at Samaritan Medical Center and also to support capital projects, like the Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children. Additionally, CMN of Northern New York offers a direct family assistance program to families in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties who have a child facing a medical crisis.

For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, contact the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation at 315-785-5785 or cmninfo@shsny.com.

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for October 2021. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care.

Matthew Them, an RN in the Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children, received the DAISY Award and Heather Delaney, Interventional Radiology Unit Clerk, was honored with the BEE Award. Matthew was nominated by a grateful patient, and Heather was nominated by a Samaritan colleague.

Matthew was chosen to receive the DAISY Award for the exceptional, compassionate care he provided a patient in labor with COVID-19 and her family.

“My wife and I came to Samaritan to give birth to our second child,” the nomination reads. “My wife tested positive for COVID-19 almost a week prior, so she had been really anxious about that and how our time at the hospital would be. Matt Them was one of the nurses assigned to our COVID-19 delivery room…he made our time there the greatest, most pleasant hospital visit my wife and I have ever had. He was so knowledgeable and caring in regards to his job. Huge shout-out to Matt, great job!”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Matthew was presented a certificate commending him as an extraordinary nurse, a DAISY Award pin, and a symbolic sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch,” which is hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of this sculpture is on display in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.

Heather received the BEE Award for her reliability and unparalleled organizational skills, which keep her department operating smoothly.

“Heather is the solid backbone of Interventional Radiology,” her nomination reads. “She is the ‘go-to’ person for every staff member within and even outside our department. She is meticulous in organization, prioritization, time management and maintaining a clean working environment. Thank you so very much for all you do, Heather, it is greatly appreciated and highly respected by all!”

Heather was presented a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with other tokens of gratitude.

Both awards will continue to be presented throughout the year, and nominations can be submitted by patients, families, or colleagues at any time. To make a nomination, or to learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.