Community Information: Watertown Health and Wellness Plaza Update

Friday, December 27, 2024, Watertown Health and Wellness Plaza Update

The water main break has been resolved and the Health and Wellness Plaza is open today for business as usual. Thank you


Thursday, December 26, 2024

Today, Thursday, December 26, 2024, all in-person appointments at Samaritan’s Health and Wellness Plaza on outer Washington Street will be adjusted to telehealth, rescheduled, or adjusted to another location, due to a water main break. Patients with appointments will be contacted to be adjusted to another location, to telehealth, or to be rescheduled.

This includes appointments at the Watertown Family Health Center, outpatient mental health/addiction services, SMART Clinic, Women’s Wellness and Breast Care, imaging at the plaza including mammography, ultrasound, and more. Also included in this disruption are the walk-in lab and X-ray services at that location. Those who need walk-in lab and X-ray services in Watertown may visit the Medical Center or our Coffeen Street location. Our goal is to reopen all in-person services at the Health and Wellness Plaza on Friday, December 27, 2024, or once the issue is resolved. Thank you.

Samaritan Announces Volunteer Service Award Winner

A group photo showing HIVE award winner Olivia Rappel and Samaritan staff members

Watertown, N.Y. – At Samaritan, there are volunteers who serve at the hospital, long term care facilities, special events, off-site offices and on various boards of our respective entities. Initiated in 2023, the HIVE (Helpful Indeed – Volunteering Excellence) Award is a way to honor those volunteers who have contributed an extraordinary level of dedication and shown exceptional service to Samaritan while consistently demonstrating the organization’s HEART values, which are Honest, Empathetic, Accountable, Respect, and Trustworthy.

Why HIVE? The beehive is symbolic of teamwork, unity, growth, and development. At Samaritan, we are all caregivers, including those who have committed to showing extraordinary compassionate care as a volunteer. We need each other to care for our community.

The HIVE Award complements the existing DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, the BEE Award (Being Excellent Every Day) honoring other outstanding staff members who support patient care, at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the OWL (Outstanding Workers in Long Term Care) for the team of caregivers at the Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village. Altogether, we recognize the amazing caregivers of the Samaritan Health System and the culture we embrace.

The recipient for the third quarter of 2024 is Olivia Rappel. Olivia is a volunteer with Samaritan’s Employee Health team in the Human Resources department.

A Samaritan Caregiver of the Employee Health team nominated Rappel saying, “Olivia has been helping our team for the last five months and has been such an incredible asset to our departments. She is kind, sincere and conscientious and her attention to detail allows us to give her different tasks with minimal instruction. We all enjoy having Olivia around as she has such a positive attitude and will go out of her way to help where needed.”

Those interested in recognizing a Samaritan volunteer may submit an online nomination at samaritanhealth.com/hive there are also paper nomination forms available at the Medical Center and Samaritan Summit Village gift shops. 

Portrait of Olivia Rappel, volunteer

Pictured here is Olivia Rappel, HIVE Award recipient at Samaritan Medical Center for the third quarter of 2024.

October 2024 OWL Award Recipients

OWL Award Winners October 2023

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its outstanding workers in long term care (OWL) Award recipients for October 2024.

Samaritan Summit Village Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Rachel Hughes, and Samaritan Keep Home Certified Nursing Assistant Megan Catlin won the OWL Award for their respective facilities.

Hughes was nominated for the OWL Award by a family member of a Samaritan Summit Village resident who said:

“Rachel is so welcoming, and she shows my loved one great care. Knowing Rachel is there for my loved one is a true blessing.”

Catlin was nominated for the OWL Award by Samaritan Keep Home Director of Nursing, Megan Larkins, with the following statement for nomination:  

“Megan is kind and compassionate. She cares for our residents as if they are her own family. She goes above and beyond to provide safe, quality care to all our residents. She is patient and gentle when she cares for our vulnerable residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Megan always comes to work with a smile on her face and greets our residents with a warm welcome to Samaritan Keep Home.”

Hughes and Catlin were presented with certificates and tokens of appreciation during recognition ceremonies at their respective facilities.

These 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, BEE, and OWL Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

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Pictured here, from left to right, are October 2024 OWL awardees Rachel Hughes, CNA, and Megan Catlin, CNA.

About Samaritan’s Long Term Care Services Caregivers at Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home provide round-the-clock skilled nursing care and significant assistance with the activities of daily life. Nursing homes have nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day to help individuals meet their daily physical, social and psychological needs. A licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy are available to provide rehabilitation services. Samaritan Summit Village also offers Assisted Living with six neighborhoods and apartments that are comfortable, functional, and safe. This facility is for those who need a little extra help while continuing an independent lifestyle.

October 2024 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

October 2024 Daisy and Bee winners

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY, and BEE Award recipients for October 2024. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members for being excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Kristin Navarra, a Registered Nurse (RN) and critical care clinical nurse educator of Samaritan Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit, received the DAISY Award. Bobbie McKnight a Nursing Assistant (NA) of Samaritan Medical Center’s Four Pavilion Unit, received the BEE Award.  

Samaritan Medical Center’s Manager of Education Development Emily Soderquist nominated Navarra for the DAISY Award saying: 

“I am consistently impressed with her organization, empathetic nature, and most obvious- compassion that she has for the nursing field. She is a realist; she knows what the nursing team needs and anticipates their challenges and helps her team prepare for them. She is an empath, understanding the challenges of everyday life as a nurse, and helps her team to make the time to learn new things that will improve their knowledge of patient care. She is a teammate, always looking out for the other educators, thinking of ways to help all – not only those that she works directly with. She is a learner, not only can she share her knowledge better than most people I know, but she is also always striving to learn as well.” 


For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Navarra was presented with 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.

McKnight was nominated for the BEE Award by Joyce James, a Registered Nurse (RN) on Samaritan’s Four Pavilion Unit, saying: 

“One of Bobbie’s greatest strengths is how she manages our behavioral patients waiting for placement. She is frequently able to get them to participate in personal care and calm them down when nobody else can. She treats this patient population with the utmost dignity and respect as she would one of her own family members. She gains trust with our patients and makes them feel safe.”  

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

These 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.


Pictured here, from left to right, are October 2024 awardees Kristin Navarra, RN, critical care clinical nurse educator, and Bobbie McKnight, NA, Samaritan Medical Center’s Four Pavilion Unit.  

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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.

September 2024 OWL Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its outstanding workers in long term care (OWL) Award recipients for September 2024. Samaritan Summit Village Physical Therapist Prodyut Das, and Samaritan Keep Home Unit Clerk Zelina Collier won the OWL Award for their respective facilities.

Das was nominated for the OWL Award by a family member of a Samaritan Summit Village resident who said:

“Das showed wonderful patience and compassion for my loved one. They always joked with one another and that made my loved one smile. Das is a model employee and relates well to his patients.”

Collier was nominated for the OWL Award by Samaritan Keep Home Assistant Director of Nursing, Kerri Pellam, with the following statement for nomination:  

“Zelina has a strong work ethic and positive attitude. She is patient and kind and shows great compassion. I have witnessed her balance a very tasking job, have difficult conversations with families and go above and beyond for our residents, the staff and their families. She makes relationships and helps where she can. All her coworkers are thankful for her.”

Das and Collier were presented with certificates and tokens of appreciation during recognition ceremonies at their respective facilities.

These 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, BEE, and OWL Awards, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

Prodyut Das, physical therapist at Samaritan Summit Village, and Zelina Collier, unit clerk at Samaritan Keep Home, are September 2024 OWL Award recipients.
Pictured here, from left to right, are September 2024 OWL awardees Prodyut Das, physical therapist, and Zelina Collier, unit clerk.

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About Samaritan’s Long Term Care Services

Caregivers at Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home provide round-the-clock skilled nursing care and significant assistance with the activities of daily life. Nursing homes have nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day to help individuals meet their daily physical, social and psychological needs. A licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy are available to provide rehabilitation services. Samaritan Summit Village also offers Assisted Living with six neighborhoods and apartments that are comfortable, functional, and safe. This facility is for those who need a little extra help while continuing an independent lifestyle.

Samaritan Thanksgiving Hours

Watertown, NY – Most of Samaritan’s clinics, family health centers, and medical offices will be closed during the Thanksgiving holiday, November 28 and 29, 2024.

Lab and X-ray services will be open at Samaritan Medical Center, via the registration entrance from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Samaritan Medical Center is open 24/7.

For emergency health situations, please call 911.

Samaritan reminds you not to drink and drive, and wash your hands. If you are feeling sick,  avoid in-person gathering and follow transmission precautions, such as the use of a mask.  

Samaritan Welcomes Eleven New Physicians in 2024

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan recognized and welcomed eleven new physicians at its annual New Physician Reception, held November 7, 2024, at Samaritan Summit Village. The reception honored physicians who have joined Samaritan’s medical staff in the last 12 months.

This annual event is an opportunity to introduce the newest members of our Medical Staff to the community. Attendance included area physicians, Samaritan board members, local business and community leaders, hospital donors and Samaritan leadership. 

The physician guests of honor included:

  • Basel Al-Haddad, MD – Hospitalist
  • Natasha Antony, MD – OB/GYN*
  • Nauman Hamid, MD – Pulmonology/Critical Care
  • Kevin Kriesel, MD – Otolaryngology
  • Kamran Mahfooz, MD – Hospitalist
  • Emily Pierce, MD – OB/GYN*
  • Russell Reeves, MD – Interventional Radiology
  • Diane Shumbusho, MD – OB/GYN
  • Jane Simpson, DO – Palliative Care
  • Philip Witek, MD – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  • Jasmin Zvornicanin, MD – Hospitalist

Also recognized this year were fifteen new advanced practice providers (APP). APPs are highly trained medical professionals who care for patients under the supervision of a physician.

The advanced practice providers recognized included:

  • Amanda Agley, PA-C – Dermatology
  • Erin Birchenough, FNP-C – Nephrology
  • Christine Buckley, FNP-C – Family Medicine
  • Gary Clarkson, PA-C – Wound Care
  • Aiesha Clayton, PA-C – Family Medicine
  • Tasha Curry, FNP-C – Cardiology
  • Amber Haynes, FNP-C – Family Medicine
  • Brittany Heflin, FNP-C – Emergency Medicine
  • Aparajita Naik, ANP-C – Internal Medicine
  • Inez Quinones, PA-C – Emergency Medicine
  • Jennifer Ring, ANP-C – Family Medicine
  • Cele Schulz, ANP-C – Geriatric Medicine
  • Fakira Soumaila-Borkovec, FNP-C – OB/GYN
  • Kalie Sposato, PA-C – Family Medicine
  • Juan Woods, PA-C – Orthopedic Surgery*

    * Military

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September 2024 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Daisy and Bee September 2024 featured image: shows Daisy winner Andrew Staab, RN, and Bee winner, Edsel Enriquez, NA.

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY, and BEE Award recipients for September 2024. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members for being excellent every day, both at the hospital and outpatient clinics.

Andrew Stabb, a Registered Nurse (RN) of Samaritan Medical Center’s Emergency Department, received the DAISY Award. Edsel Enriquez a Nursing Assistant (NA) of Samaritan Medical Center’s Progressive Care Unit (PCU), received the BEE Award.  

A patient at Samaritan Medical Center, nominated Stabb for the DAISY Award saying: 

“I was seen at Samaritan Medical Center Emergency Department (ED). The ED was extremely busy that day, but my nurse Andy took care of me and made sure I was comfortable. I was in a lot of pain, but Andy made sure to help me and answer any of my concerns. Andy was very mindful and kept me informed. He truly is someone who genuinely cares for his patients and is a team player.” 

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Stabb was presented with 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.

Enriquez was nominated for the BEE Award by Sarah Lockwood, a Registered Nurse (RN) on Samaritan’s Progressive Care Unit (PCU), saying: 

“Edsel is a phenomenal aide. He always goes above and beyond to assist everyone on the floor, not only his assigned group. No matter the task, you can count on Edsel to help and provide assistance. His empathy and compassion for his patients is impossible to miss. He takes the time to talk to the patients, listen to their stories, and make their stay comfortable. When I am not present, I know my patients are well taken care of when he is in the room.”  

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

These 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.

Daisy Award winner for September 2024, Andrew Staab, RN at Samaritan's Emergency Department
BEE Award winner for September 2024, Edsel Enriquez, nursing assistant at Samaritan Medical Center.

Pictured here, from left to right, are September 2024 awardees Andrew Staab, RN, and Edsel Enriquez, NA, Samaritan Medical Center.  

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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.

24th Annual CMN Radiothon Raises Funds for Local Children

Radiothon check presentation to Children's Miracle Network. The photo shows Jhonny Spezanno, from the Border radio station, Angie VanWormer, CMN of NNY director, and Lance, from 94 Rock radio station, holding the $134,800 check from the 2024 Radiothon campaing.

Watertown, NY — The 24th Annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon raised $134,800 during this year’s three-day event, hosted by Community Broadcasters stations The Border 106.7 and 94 Rock.

All donations made to CMN stay local to purchase pediatric medical equipment and support child-centered projects at Samaritan Medical Center, and also to provide financial assistance to families in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties who have a child facing a medical crisis.

During the annual event, radio DJs Johnny Spezzano and Lance Hale ask listeners to donate to help sick and injured children. “The generous response from the North Country is inspirational. Johnny Spezzano is unmatched, and I am proud of him and Lance Hale for their dedication and hard work on behalf of CMN,” Jim Leven, president of Community Broadcasters, said. “To everyone who tuned in and supported our efforts and, most importantly, supported local kids during the 24th Radiothon, thank you.”

CMN is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children across the North Country. “It’s incredible what our community can do when we come together for children,” said Angie VanWormer, Children’s Miracle Network director, Samaritan Medical Center. “With the help of all who donate and support CMN, we are changing kids’ health and the future.”

For more information about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, contact Samaritan Medical Center at 315-785-4053 or [email protected].

Radiothon check presentation to Children's Miracle Network. The photo shows Jhonny Spezanno, from the Border radio station, Angie VanWormer, CMN of NNY director, and Lance, from 94 Rock radio station, holding the $134,800 check from the 2024 Radiothon campaing.

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Samaritan Unveils Expanded Inpatient Mental Health Unit

Ribbon cutting portrait from Samaritan's Inpatient Mental Health Unit new rooms. The picture shows Samaritan and community leaders.

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center officials unveiled the newly expanded Inpatient Mental Health Unit (IMHU) during a ribbon cutting event on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.  The Kinney Drugs Foundation/Kinney Drugs Inpatient Mental Health Unit redesign began over a decade ago to improve the patient experience.

“When this construction project began it was more about improving the quality of the patient care space and the environment in which we treated our patients as opposed to increasing our capacity,” stated Tina O’Neil, director of mental health at Samaritan. “We looked to upgrade the unit and add more privacy for patients, plus we added group rooms and meeting rooms for family meetings. We focused on soft calming colors and artwork, and all new furniture.”

Plans to improve this hospital unit began in 2006 as the organization outlined the hospital facility master plan to address the aging facilities and to add new space where needed.  There were four distinct phases planned and the official opening of the inpatient mental health unit marks the fourth and final phase as complete.

“This ribbon cutting is more than to celebrate the new space for the inpatient mental health patients. This is culmination of the work that has went into the last project of our 2006 facilities master planning project,” said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Almost a decade later we can say we completed what we set out to do and with IMHU in particular we were able to pivot this project to meet the current needs of our patients and the community.”

Prior to construction, the unit had 32 beds and by the end of construction was set to have 34.  In 2023, Samaritan officials requested a change to the project and was approved to move forward by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH). This allowed the unit design to pivot and add five additional private rooms for patients for a total of 39 with two of these including negative pressure capability for mental health patients who also have a communicable disease such as COVID-19 or Influenza.

‘We watched the needs of our community change prior to and during the pandemic. We did not have private rooms on the unit, nor in the current construction plan, and with OMH’s approval, we were able to make this shift,” said O’Neil.  “Patients need private space for hygiene, gender, infectious disease and other reasons, and now we can accommodate them better with private rooms.”

Although the funds to complete this portion of the phase four construction project were budgeted around $12 million dollars, construction costs soared as time went on and adding the five additional private rooms had a cost of $2.2 million dollars extra.  The Samaritan Foundation looked to the community and corporate donors to help offset the costs. 

“Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation have supported every major capital project initiative Samaritan has embarked on, as well as major corporate partner and supporter of Children’s Miracle Network,’ stated Carman.  “Their commitment to the communities they serve is unwavering and Samaritan is appreciative of their support of this unit, named in their honor.” 

During the ribbon cutting event, Mr. Carman thanked the generous donors who supported the need for increased mental health services in our community. The leading donors to this project were Kinney Drugs, the Kinney Drugs Foundation, Catherine and Bill Quencer, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation donors along with Foundation event proceeds from A North Country Festival of Trees and the Thousand Islands Golf Tournament.  

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Ribbon cutting portrait from Samaritan's Inpatient Mental Health Unit new rooms. The picture shows Samaritan and community leaders.
 Pictured here, in attendance at the Inpatient Mental Health Unit ribbon cutting event for Samaritan Medical Center included Olivia Patterson, Assemblyman Scott Gray, Katie Roberts, David Adsit, David Warner, David McClure, Tina O’Neil, Tom Carman, KI LaClair, Mart Liinve, Tim Reutten, Rick Tague, COL Christine Buchner, and Zane Buckingham.  
Pictured here, in attendance at the Inpatient Mental Health Unit ribbon cutting event for Samaritan Medical Center included David McClure, Katie Roberts, David Warner, and David Adsit.

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