Watertown, N.Y. – The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed many facets of healthcare, but it did not deter the tenacity of the incredible Medical Staff and recruitment team at Samaritan to bring highly-trained physicians to this community. Samaritan was once again, after a three-year hiatus, able to celebrate and welcome its new physicians at the annual New Physician Reception, which was held on November 9th. We are proud to introduce these fine physicians.
For most of our new physicians, this is their first experience in the North Country. This may also be their first experience in rural healthcare. One brings their talent to our area through our close relationship 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.
Watertown, NY — The 22nd Annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon was held November 2-4, 2022 and raised a record $155,219 to help children throughout the North Country.
2022 check presentation at the Community Broadcasters station in Watertown. Pictured here, left to right, are Amy O’Brien, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York, Johnny Spezzano, Community Broadcasters, Angie VanWormer, Children’s Miracle Network, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York, and Lance Hale, Community Broadcasters.
Each year, Community Broadcasters’ stations The Border 106.7 and 94 Rock fill the airwaves with extraordinary stories of courage and hope from local CMN children and their families. These families, eager to give back to Children’s Miracle Network, openly share the details of their experience and explain how the program has helped them.
DJs Johnny Spezzano and Lance Hale were live on-air throughout Radiothon, asking listeners to make a donation to help sick and injured children. “The CMN Radiothon has become a North Country tradition and this year the community showed more support for local kids than ever before,” said Angie VanWormer, Children’s Miracle Network Director, Samaritan Medical Center. “We are so thankful for the generosity of all those who helped make this event a success.”
Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals uses every dollar raised locally to support pediatric equipment and projects at Samaritan Medical Center. In addition, CMN of Northern New York provides direct financial assistance to families living in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties with a child facing a medical crisis for travel expenses and other out-of-pocket medical costs.
For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals contact the Samaritan Medical Center at 315-785-4053 or [email protected]
Watertown, NY – After months of collaborative planning, Samaritan is excited to announce a new partnership with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES to offer financial sponsorships for nurses who wish to further their careers.
The 10-month practical nursing program is offered at the Bohlen Technical Center in Watertown. Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to register for the New York State Licensing Examination for Practical Nurse.
The Practical Nurse (PN) Community Sponsorship Program is open to all community members. With up to $10,000 of additional support from Samaritan, many applicants may be able to pay for the PN program with little to no student loans. The Sponsorship can help with other expenses beyond tuition.
Samaritan will require a 2- or 3-year work commitment for those who apply for and receive funds through this sponsorship program. Samaritan LPN’s have so many options for employment—in our Clinics, Home Health, Surgical Services, Long Term Care, and more. There is room to grow with opportunities to be mentored and develop your nursing career.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for September 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care, both at the hospital and all outpatient clinics.
Stacey Hunter, a Registered Nurse in Oncology at the Walker Center for Cancer Care, received the DAISY Award. Rodney Dobson, Nursing Assistant in Progressive Care at Samaritan Medical Center, received the BEE Award.
Kim Smith, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing Critical Care, Samaritan Medical Center, nominated Hunter saying:
“A patient who has been fighting cancer was admitted to the Medical Center. Following the Oncologist’s orders to begin chemotherapy, Stacey put the patient’s needs first and found a way to administer the needed therapy in the patient’s Medical Center room, rather than transporting the patient back and forth to the Walker Center for Cancer Care. Inpatient chemotherapy is something that is not done often. Stacey was in charge in this instance and worked with a team of registered nurses to ensure the receipt of chemotherapy while the patient’s other medical needs were being met.”
For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Hunter 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 has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Shannon Phillips, BSN, RN, Nurse Manager Intensive and Progressive Care Units, Samaritan Medical Center nominated Dobson.
“Rodney truly embodies our HEART (Honest, Empathetic, Accountable, Respectful, Trustworthy) values and this is evident in the care he gives to our patients. When Rodney is working, you will hear him in patient rooms talking with patients, explaining the care he is providing, asking if there is “anything else I can do for you” and doing his best to make them feel welcomed and cared for.”
Dobson was presented with 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 Samaritan DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Home Health launched its telehealth Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program in February 2022 and has seen positive impacts for patients participating with congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Samaritan Home Health Director of Patient Services, Stephanie Parks, stated, “patients who have been discharged from the hospital, or who have been referred by their physician, and are eligible for our Home Health services, benefit from this program, specifically those with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).”
This program stems from a pilot tested near the end of 2020, where patients at risk of readmission with COVID-19 were assigned pulse oximeters to test levels three times daily from home. With its success, the medical center requested grant monies through North Country Initiative and Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization for resources and technology to enhance the program.
The goal of this updated program is to reduce readmission within 30 days of discharge from the hospital through improved communication between providers and patient, including daily interactive home monitoring. Patients are given specific equipment such as tablet, scale, blood pressure device, pulse oximeter that when used provide the direct vitals to the home health care team virtually. If any of these vitals is outside the normal range for the patient, home health staff reach out directly to provide immediate approved interventions.
“CHF and COPD in elderly patients often result in hospitalization due to exacerbations,” said Parks. “There are multiple factors we can monitor to reduce risk including, weight, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.”
Since February, Samaritan Home Health has received 66 referrals to the program, with 50 patients officially participating. Some of the referred patients declined the resource. Of those participating, 92 percent of patients were not readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, which is very successful.
“Our program coordinator has worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of our patients, and her active engagement is why we are seeing such success,” said Parks. “We hope others will participate and continue to reduce readmissions.”
Dr. Mario Victoria, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Samaritan Medical Center, added that COVID-19 allowed us to provide better care management at home, and we can now apply lessons learned to offer good outcomes to specific patients in our community.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for August 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care, both at the hospital and all outpatient clinics.
Christopher Phinney, a Registered Nurse at Samaritan Medical Center, Operating Room, received the DAISY Award. Susan Hodge, Lead Clinic Office Support at Samaritan Pulmonology, received the BEE Award. An impressed co-worker, Kyle Aumell, Technical Services Manager, nominated Phinney. Hodge was nominated by Dr. Rory Sears, Pulmonologist. A committee then selected them.
Phinney was nominated for dedication to patients. Aumell described Phinney saying:
“I have had the pleasure of working with Chris for many years now and have always been impressed with his dedication to the patient – we have implemented systems at his suggestion to improve communication both within the operating room staff and with patients’ families,” said Aumell. “I’ve now had two occasions to witness his level of passion and care with patients and their families on a personal level. Nurses like Chris make me proud to work at Samaritan and support his mission.”
For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Phinney 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 has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Hodge was nominated by Dr. Rory Sears of Samaritan Pulmonology for going the extra mile for patients.
“Susan has been an important part of our team for years. She makes sure our patients are taken care of, and she does so with a very pleasant demeanor. Our patients are so happy to hear from her when she calls to schedule as they love her happy and caring voice,” said Dr. Sears. “She goes above and beyond to make sure we fit in urgent sick calls in a timely fashion. Without her we could not provide the services we do to our patients. Whether our patients are having trouble breathing or have lung cancer she is there to help get things done. She is the first person that people see when they come in for an appointment. To see her smiling face as our patient’s enter, it lets our patients know we are happy to see them and we care. She sets the tone for the entire encounter. She is a star.”
Hodge was presented with 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 Samaritan DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
Christopher Phinney, RN, left, Susan Hodge, right, were presented with certificates for Samaritan’s August 2022 DAISY and BEE Awards.
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About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for July 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support patient care, both at the hospital and all outpatient clinics.
Terri McNitt, a Registered Nurse at Samaritan Medical Center, received the DAISY Award. Patti Finnegan and Tammy Knapp, both Compensation Assistants, received the BEE Award. A grateful patient nominated McNitt. Finnegan and Knapp were nominated by Kim Smith, RN, Director of Nursing – Critical Care. A committee then selected them. McNitt was nominated for supporting the patient, Maria Rice, on three different occasions through labor and delivery. The patient described McNitt saying:
Maria Rice, left, attended Terri McNitt’s DAISY Award presentation.
“She made my birthing experiences magical every time.” Rice added, “On Sept. 26, 2020 I gave birth to a beautiful stillborn baby girl (she had Turner syndrome) and from the start of my day, up until discharge, my team, led by Teri was exceptional. That day was easily one of the worst days of my life and she made sure I had absolutely everything possible to get me through it. I will never be able to repay her for what she has done for me on all 3 stays (December 25, 2018, September 26, 2020, June 3, 2022) but I believe in giving recognition and praise where it is due, and she absolutely deserves it. All of the staff on L&D and Maternity are exceptional and I would never go elsewhere”.
For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – McNitt 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 has also been installed in the Healing Gardens at Samaritan Medical Center in honor of all DAISY and BEE Award winners to come. It was purchased using funds donated by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Finnegan and Knapp were nominated for the BEE Award by Kim Smith, RN, Director of Nursing – Critical Care, for collaboratively ensuring employee flow and information maintenance.
Tammy Knapp and Patti Finnegan
“I cannot nominate one without the other. Tammy and Patti are behind the scenes for ensuring employee flow and information is maintained. They both drop whatever they are doing to assist us as managers when we have a need for NOW. They demonstrate professional communication skills with all levels of disciplines. They never talk down to you or above you. They are experts in what they do and serve as important resource for each and every one of us.”
Finnegan and Knapp were each presented with 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 Samaritan DAISY and BEE Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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About Samaritan Medical Center
Samaritan Medical Center (Watertown, New York) is a 290-bed not-for-profit community medical center, offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. From primary and emergency care to highly specialized medical and surgical services, such as cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health and addiction services, and imaging services, Samaritan Medical Center and its team of healthcare professionals proudly serves the medical needs of our civilian and military community. Quality, compassion, and safety are the basic principles by which exceptional care is delivered at Samaritan.
About The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.) The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 3,900 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and for nurses participating in medical missions. More information is available at http://www.DAISYfoundation.org.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Cancer Services through the Walker Center for Cancer Care and Women’s Wellness are hosting an event for cancer patients and their caregivers.
The special celebration of hope will take place on Saturday, September 17, from 1-4 p.m. at the Walker Center for Cancer Care located at 830 Washington Street. Patients should use the Woodruff St entrance directly near the Walker Center entrance.
Director of Walker Center for Cancer Care, Eva M. Edwards, said, “Hope Grows Here is a time for patients, their personal caregivers, and our professional caregivers, to enjoy a relaxing day outside the walls of our facility, and focus on emotional well-being.” She added, “It is the first year we are offering this experience, and we are hopeful our patients and their caregivers find it therapeutic.”
The event features artistic activities, live music, light refreshments, and physician sentiments.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce that after a lengthy search to name our Mako SmartRobotics™ system, we have found the perfect fit!
We received five suggestions for a version of the name SAMMIE. Dr. David J. Newman and the entire team at Samaritan Orthopedics wish to thank the community and Samaritan employees for their ideas. SAMMIE is a nice tribute to our namesake, in a fun way!
At the launch of the robot naming campaign, Samaritan asked entrants to select a charity to receive a donation of $500. The response was overwhelming and because of that, we increased the donation to $1,000 total. Although we altered the name a bit, we have decided to donate to the following charities as noted by the entrants:
Three choices: Children’s Miracle Network – $500
One choice: SPCA – $250
One choice: Make-a-Wish – $250
Thank you to Laureen Bertram, Ginny Johnston, Caitlin Humphrey, Janna Thompson, and all who participated.
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