News Archives

April 29, 2024April 29, 2024

March 2024 OWL Award Recipients

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village are pleased to announce the OWL award recipients for March 2024. The outstanding workers in long term care (OWL) award recognizes exemplary staff who support the residents, their families, and the caregivers at our long term care facilities.

Suzanne Kirkpatrick, Certified Nursing Assistant, at the Keep Home, and Summit Village Assisted Living Home Health Aide’s Gina Deline, Stephanie Deline, and Leila Howard, were nominated and selected as winners by a committee.

Multiple co-workers nominated Kirkpatrick, and an excerpt from the March OWL award nomination, read:

Suzanne Kirkpatrick, CNA, on the Keep Home’s 2nd floor, was highlighted for her work ethic, compassion, and care for all residents, “no matter what floor she is on.” While accepting her OWL recognition, Suzanne proudly remembered all the floors she had worked on at the organization during her more than 40 years of service at Samaritan.

The Summit Village OWL honorees were collectively acknowledged by Neva Bossard, administrator for assisted living, for their outstanding care, compassion, and teamwork. Thanks to their quick thinking, the team ensured that Summit Village residents did not miss their beloved BINGO event one evening when there was severe weather and staffing issues. These caregivers do not typically coordinate and execute activities of this nature. She said, “this was a testament to their commitment to our residents’ overall well-being.”

Portrait of Suzanne Kirkpatrick holding her OWL Award certificate — From left to right: Suzanne Kirkpatrick, CNA, Gina Deline, HHA, Lelia Howard, HHA, and Stephanie Deline, HHA

From left to right: Suzanne Kirkpatrick, CNA, Gina Deline, HHA, Lelia Howard, HHA, and Stephanie Deline, HHA

For being recognized, the OWL recipients receive a certificate, special parking spot for a month, an owl pin, special banner recognition, badge buddy, and various treats.

The OWL award will continue to be presented at each Samaritan long term care facility throughout the year, and residents, families, or colleagues can submit nominations at any time. To nominate or learn more about the OWL award, visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.

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About Samaritan Keep Home

The Samaritan Keep Home is a 272-bed long term care facility connected to the Samaritan Medical Center campus in Watertown. This residential care facility provides a full range of skilled nursing assistance, rehabilitative therapies, and social and recreational activities. Our mission is to provide an atmosphere that allows our residents to thrive and remain socially active in all aspects of their lives.

About Samaritan Summit Village

At Samaritan Summit Village – Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities – our team is committed to providing sophisticated senior living. Whether we’re assisting with daily chores or planning exciting group activities, we’re here to help make living easier The services needed by residents may vary widely, but the goal of our care is always the same: helping seniors to live exceptionally and age in place. With its amazing views, Samaritan Summit Village overlooks Watertown, NY, and offers 120 assisted living beds, and 168 nursing home beds.

About The OWL Award

The owl is symbolic of intuition, protection, and wisdom. At Samaritan, we are all caregivers, including those who have committed to showing extraordinary compassionate care as a long term caregiver. We need each other to care for our community.

The OWL Award (Outstanding Workers in Long Term Care) was established in December 2023 and is awarded to a caregiver who has given their time and talent to the healthcare system and to our residents. The recipients have repeatedly gone above and beyond in their role to help our staff, and residents, to make our community thrive. They exemplify the HEART Values and take their role as a Samaritan Caregiver with pride.

The OWL Award complements our existing DAISY and BEE Awards for staff, and HIVE award for volunteers. Together we recognize the amazing caregivers of the Samaritan Health System and the culture we embrace.

April 11, 2024April 11, 2024

Samaritan Announces Mask-Optional in Walker Center for Cancer Care

Watertown, NY – As of April 11, 2024, the Walker Center for Cancer Care will return to mask-optional for all staff, patients, and visitors under certain criteria. This decision comes after closely watching transmission levels of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, declining COVID-19 hospitalization and infection rates, and other supporting indicators. If any of these metrics have an uptick, the Walker Center for Cancer Care could return to wearing facemasks.

At this time, the following use of facemasks will be asked of patients, staff, and visitors:

In the Emergency Department (ED), all visitors and patients are asked to mask in this location when not in a private room.
In the Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village due to long term care requirements.

Patients, visitors and/or healthcare personnel are to follow masking practices per unit/department when specifically indicated. For the health and safety of the community, we reserve the right to require any patient in any area who has signs or symptoms of respiratory illness or COVID-19 to wear a facemask as per Samaritan practices.

Visitors who are not feeling well, have symptoms of fever, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea, or have been in contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 cannot visit patients or accompany patients to appointments.

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April 10, 2024April 10, 2024

February 2024 DAISY® and BEE Award Recipients

February 2024 Daisy and BEE recipients: Ann Groff and Melissa McDonald.

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for February 2024. 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.

Ann Groff, licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Samaritan Dermatology and Mohs Surgery received the DAISY Award. Melissa McDonald, medical assistant at Samaritan Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, received the BEE Award. This was a first for the committee to award two deserving caregivers to the same outpatient clinic, at the same time.

Rachel Moore, lead clinic LPN at Samaritan Dermatology and Mohs Surgery nominated Groff saying:

“At the end of the day she always makes her rounds to make sure the chores are done and checks to see if anyone needs anything before leaving. She never stops going and is a true team player. Ann helps precept new employees and is very well respected. If the surgical team needs help, she is there and hops right in. We need more nurses like her. Ann Groff is very deserving of the Daisy award because she is a true example of an extraordinary NURSE!! Thank you, Ann, for your hard work and dedication to our patients and for making the lives of others so much easier through your compassion. You are a true Samaritan star and DAISY.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Groff 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.

McDonald was also nominated by Rachel Moore, with the following statement for nomination:

“Our patients are in great hands with Melissa. She assists with surgeries, and multiple procedures on a daily basis. Helps prep charts and get things ready for the next week without any hesitation. I hope she continues on for her nursing degree because she would be a fantastic nurse someday. Melissa is trustworthy, dependable, respectful, empathetic, honest and always accountable. Melissa deserves the Bee award with high honors for the fantastic care she gives our patients.”

McDonald 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.

Ann Groff, licensed practical nurse, and Melissa McDonald, medical assistant, were presented with certificates for Samaritan’s February 2024 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.

April 9, 2024April 9, 2024

January 2024 DAISY® and BEE Award Recipients

Daisy and Bee Awards winners, January 2024

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for January 2024. 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.

Megan Gould, licensed practical nurse at Samaritan Family Health Center (SFHC) in Adams received the DAISY Award. Mary Deline, nursing assistant at Samaritan Medical Center 4 Pavilion, received the BEE Award.

Donna Edwards, clinic supervisor at SFHC in Adams nominated Gould saying:

“Megan has a wonderful skill set of communicating with her patients. She is calm and patient but sets clear appropriate boundaries with patients. She is a nurse that nurses should strive to be. She is a huge asset to our organization. There are many events that would warrant her the recognition of this award but most recently she had an encounter with a patient’s family at the end stages of her life. The outcome for the family was loss and grief but Megan did an amazing job making that complicated process to get Hospice into the home less stressful for the family. This care she gives patients resembles that on a daily basis and she deserves to be recognized for her continued amazing care for her patients.”

For receiving the DAISY Award – which is an international award backed by The DAISY Foundation – Gould 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.

Deline was nominated by Meghann Black, Registered Nurse at the Medical Center, with the following statement for nomination:

“Mary goes above and beyond for her patients. She takes her time with each and every one of them to make sure they are cleaned from head to toe and walked multiple times per day. Mary always volunteers to stay late on the days she works and almost always ends up working the next day. Mary is the epitome of how an aide should be and I do not think that she gets enough credit. Samaritan Medical Center is very lucky to have a hard dedicated worker like Mary.”

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

Megan Gould, licensed practical nurse, and Mary Deline, nursing assistant, were presented with certificates for Samaritan’s January 2024 DAISY and BEE Awards.

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About Samaritan Medical Center

About The DAISY Foundation

March 29, 2024April 3, 2024

Samaritan Announces Preparations for the Solar Eclipse

Watertown, NY – Samaritan’s focus continues to be the health and safety of its staff, patients, residents, and visitors, as we plan for the upcoming solar eclipse. We have been meeting and planning with many local and state officials, as well as learning from similar regions that endured the 2017 total eclipse. Due to the anticipated influx of tourists surrounding the solar eclipse leading up to, and on April 8, 2024, Samaritan has proactively taken the following measures:

All outpatient appointments at Samaritan Health locations in the city of Watertown and our LeRay location have been canceled for Monday, April 8, 2024, and all appointments will be rescheduled. This includes all elective surgical and procedure cases, primary care, specialty services, cancer care, imaging, wound care, and more.
Patients who feel they need medical care by their primary care provider that day should call 315-755-3100 to speak with a triage nurse between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Walk-in lab and X-ray at the Health and Wellness Plaza, and Coffeen Street, are closed on Monday, April 8, 2024. These services will, however, be available at the Medical Center, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. – Noon.
Family Health Centers in Adams, Cape Vincent, and Clayton will operate on a half-day schedule, including the labs or X-rays at the locations that offer those services.
City of Watertown locations, including the Medical Center, Keep Home, and Summit Village, will have restricted parking available for staff, patients, visitors, and support persons who need to be on location that day. Please expect to see parking attendants at our facilities.
Select inpatients and long term care residents will have the opportunity to experience the eclipse based on mobility and health. Samaritan’s Trauma Program has supplied approved safety glasses for their viewing leisure, and for our staff.
The Emergency Department remains open. Those in medical crisis should call 9-1-1. Those who are experiencing illness and are questioning whether help can wait may call our resource line at 315-755-3100 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The resource line staff members cannot provide a diagnosis over the phone but can provide helpful information to point the patient in the right direction.
The proximity of the main hospital to the eclipse event in Thompson Park may pose traffic issues for anyone trying to get to the hospital. Visitors of inpatients or residents may want to consider a virtual or phone visit that day in case traffic is an issue and personal technology allows.

Samaritan staff will receive staffing and operational communications through internal channels. Staff and the community should be aware that Samaritan reserves the right to modify these plans as the event draws nearer. Visit samaritanhealth.com for updates.

Samaritan thanks everyone in advance for their patience as we navigate challenges we may all face with traffic and parking during this historic natural event. For information on safe viewing of the solar eclipse please visit https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/.

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March 18, 2024March 18, 2024

February 2024 OWL Award Recipients

Watertown, NY—Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village are pleased to announce the OWL award recipients for February 2024. The outstanding workers in long-term care (OWL) award recognizes exemplary staff who support the residents, their families, and the caregivers at our long-term care facilities.

Chandra Tolbert, fourth floor Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at the Keep Home, and Julianna Barber, third floor skilled nursing Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Summit Village, were nominated and selected as winners by a committee.

Chandra Tolbert's portrait holding her OWL Award certificate. — Chandra Tolbert, SKH fourth floor Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Julianna Barber's portrait holding her OWL Award certificate. — Chandra Tolbert, SKH fourth floor Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A co-worker nominated Tolbert, and an excerpt from the February OWL award nomination, read:

“Chandra has been an employee of SKH since 2018. She is dedicated, compassionate, and a team player. Chandra is loved by all her residents and knows them well. She monitors routines and puts smiles on the faces of the residents daily.”

A family member of a resident nominated Barber, and an excerpt the February OWL award nomination, read:

“Julianna is a breath of fresh air. She is always positive and smiling. It appears she loves her job. Not only does she know every patient’s name, but makes a point to remember all their guests, what they like and don’t like… Skilled nursing is very lucky to have a worker like Julianna. She is the best.”

For being recognized, the OWL recipients receive a certificate, special parking spot for a month, an owl pin, special banner recognition, badge buddy, and various treats.

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About Samaritan Keep Home
The Samaritan Keep Home is a 272-bed long term care facility connected to the Samaritan Medical Center campus in Watertown. This residential care facility provides a full range of skilled nursing assistance, rehabilitative therapies, and social and recreational activities. Our mission is to provide an atmosphere that allows our residents to thrive and remain socially active in all aspects of their lives.

About Samaritan Summit Village
At Samaritan Summit Village – Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing facilities – our team is committed to providing sophisticated senior living. Whether we’re assisting with daily chores or planning exciting group activities, we’re here to help make living easier The services needed by residents may vary widely, but the goal of our care is always the same: helping seniors to live exceptionally and age in place. With its amazing views, Samaritan Summitt Village overlooks Watertown, NY, and offers 120 assisted living beds, and 168 nursing home beds.

About The OWL Award
The owl is symbolic of intuition, protection, and wisdom. At Samaritan, we are all caregivers, including those who have committed to showing extraordinary compassionate care as a long term caregiver. We need each other to care for our community.

March 14, 2024March 15, 2024

Samaritan to Host Dinner to Recognize Physicians: Dr. Karl J. Komar to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center will host its tenth Physician Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 11, 2024. This event, supported by the Samaritan Medical Center Medical Executive Committee and Samaritan Foundation, is held annually on or around National Doctors’ Day to honor Samaritan’s active and retired physicians for their dedication.

As part of this event, one physician is selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was established to recognize a Samaritan physician for his/her leadership and service to the health and well-being of the Northern New York community. Whether in their private practice, hospital duties, Board or Medical Staff leadership positions or volunteer work, Samaritan’s physicians dedicate their time and talent to making the community a better place to live.

The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Karl J. Komar, MD, a neonatologist, in recognition of his 30-year commitment to Samaritan Medical Center as the original and lead neonatologist.

Dr. Komar is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI in 1977 and completed a pediatric residency program at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. He then went on to complete a fellowship in neonatology at Wyler Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL. He practiced as a neonatologist in Grand Rapids and Dearborn, MI prior to relocating to Watertown.

In 1994, Dr. Komar joined Samaritan Medical Center’s medical staff. Since Dr. Komar’s arrival, the Samaritan Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has flourished with his expertise to care for those babies born after 32 weeks gestation needing extra care to develop and thrive. He has spent countless hours caring for our most precious newborns in need of a higher level of care after their birth. It is a space and a role he has been dedicated to for 30 years, oftentimes working 24 hours a day. “The Level 2 NICU existed before I arrived here, but it has grown and developed significantly with the support from Kinney Drugs, our outstanding nursing staff, and Samaritan’s administration” said Dr. Komar.

Dr. Karl Komar portrait. — Dr. Karl Komar, neonatologist, to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

As a specialist in his field, Dr. Komar has held leadership roles at Samaritan serving as Medical Staff President in 2011 and 2012 and in pediatrics/neonatology as the chair for the department for many years – in fact the longest of any member of our medical staff. He has cultivated relationships with surrounding facilities to help newborns receive care at the Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center at Crouse Hospital, and accepting transfers to our NICU when the newborns are progressing so they can be closer to home. Samaritan’s Level II NICU is the only NICU in the tri-county region, and Dr. Komar has been a large part of its longevity in the community. The need for the NICU was in part due to the connection Samaritan has with Fort Drum and the large number of births we see each year allowing Samaritan to care for military families closer to home.

Dr. Komar and the NICU team were instrumental and humbled when the new NICU opened in 2012 within the Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children. Their vision to create a family-centric space with private areas, updated equipment, and a dedicated unit came to fruition. A major pride point for Dr. Komar has been his work and advocacy efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) program at Samaritan. Each year Dr. Komar supports CMN to help raise funds for local families in need, and to support pediatric equipment needed in the child-centered areas. He helps engage families through the annual Radiothon event, encourages families to use the direct-family assistance program, and has been part of the allocation committee that helps determine where the funds raised will be used.

Dr. Komar’s connection with the families and newborns he cares for are at the core of his lifetime achievement. So many lives have been touched through this specialized service.

“This annual event is a time to honor our physicians and celebrate the essential role they play in caring for our patients and our community,” said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Dr. Komar’s long-standing commitment to providing specialized neonatal care for our smallest, most vulnerable patients and their families has had a tremendous impact on so many lives. Our community is fortunate to have a team of exceptional physicians such as Dr. Komar that have dedicated their lives to the practice of medicine and demonstrate excellence in providing patient care every day.”

Dr. Komar resides in Watertown. He has two children, Alysia and Michael, who both live in California. He continues to be inspired by the memory of his late wife Antoinette.

The Physician Recognition Dinner will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Watertown. This event is open to the community. Tickets are $55 per person. For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/physiciandinner, or call 315-785-4584.

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March 13, 2024March 13, 2024

Kinney Drugs and Kinney Drugs Foundation Make Investment to Improve Mental Health Services Across the Region

Picture shows Kinney Drugs representatives handing a 250,000 symbolic check to Samaritan Medical Center Foundation representants.

Watertown, NY – The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York is pleased to announce the generous support of Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation in expanding mental health treatment services and physical space within Samaritan Medical Center. In recognition of this recent commitment of dollars, the adult inpatient mental health unit space will be named in honor of Kinney Drugs.

The inpatient mental health unit expects approval from the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) to increase the bed count in the unit from 34 to 39 beds. The five additional rooms will be private, which is a significant need. The current physical space consists exclusively of double-occupant rooms. It often cannot be used for two patients due to aggression, infection control issues, and other reasons. The unit is typically full, and with the increase in mental health crises, patients go to the emergency department. Fifty percent of the adults who visit the emergency department in a psychiatric crisis will need a stabilization inpatient stay within this unit.

Kinney Drugs and its Foundation remain among Samaritan’s top donors, supporters, and partners. Over the years, the organization has supported Samaritan and quality healthcare in the Northern New York region in many ways. They are dedicated to the pediatric patient population and have donated needed funds in multiple departments within the Car-Freshner Center Women & Children, including the Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the play area on the pediatric inpatient unit, and a cesarean surgical suite in labor & delivery. In addition, Kinney is a steadfast partner and fundraiser for Samaritan’s Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) program.

In 1992, they became a CMN national partner, just two years after Samaritan became a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. All stores raise funds for CMN and locally across the Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Lewis County areas. Their teams are highly engaged and passionate about CMN.

Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation have repeatedly shown their commitment and support to Samaritan over decades. They have invested over one million dollars in continuing quality and compassionate healthcare at Samaritan.

The Kinney Drugs Foundation is the philanthropic arm of KPH Healthcare Services, Inc. with locations in 14 states, including its home state of New York. Since its inception in 2002, the Kinney Drugs Foundation has given more than $12 million to these communities, helping make positive changes in the lives of so many people. Information on the Foundation may be found at www.kinneydrugsfoundation.com.

Pictured here, from left, are Beth Fipps, VP of Foundation & Community Services, Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, and Thomas H. Carman, President and CEO, Samaritan Medical Center, with Dave Warner, President of the Kinney Drugs Foundation and EVP of KPH Healthcare Services, and Rich McNulty, SVP of Human Resources of KPH Healthcare Services.

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024

Samaritan Announces Mask-Optional in Most Locations

Watertown, NY – As of March 8, 2024, most Samaritan locations will be mask-optional for all staff, patients, and visitors under certain criteria. This decision comes after closely watching transmission levels of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, declining COVID-19 hospitalization and infection rates, and other supporting indicators. Samaritan now safely offers a mask-optional environment in most areas and facilities; however, if any of these metrics have an uptick, we could return to wearing facemasks.

The following use of face masks will be asked of patients, staff, and visitors:

In the Emergency Department (ED), all visitors and patients are asked to mask in this location when not in a private room.
In the Walker Center for Cancer Care, because of the weakened immune systems of the patients served, we ask patients and anyone visiting the center to wear a face mask when not in a private room.
In the Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village due to long term care requirements.

March 1, 2024March 1, 2024

Samaritan Keep Home Welcomes Residents from Clifton-Fine Hospital

Watertown, NY – On January 31, nine residents entered the Samaritan Keep Home, their new residence, for the first time. A reception team greeted the incoming residents, and their former caretakers from Clifton-Fine Hospital in Star Lake were on hand to ensure a safe and meaningful transition.

“This was a historic moment for our team of caregivers,” Patrick Calli, vice president of long-term care at Samaritan, said. “We know there may be mixed emotions, but we are thrilled they are here and hope they become familiar with their new home, our services, activities, and our staff.”

The nine skilled nursing residents resided at Clifton-Fine Hospital as patients at the critical access hospital, with special permissions allowing the critical access to have long term care residents. With the hospital seeking a new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, they needed to find a new home for the patients. The new designation does not allow inpatients, swing beds, or long term care services. Clifton-Fine’s partner, Samaritan Medical Center, identified space in its high-rise facility for the residents who need continued quality care in the North Country. This space allows the cohort of residents to remain together while engaging with their new neighbors, many of whom have called the Samaritan Keep Home their home for several years.

“We know that Samaritan Keep Home caregivers will provide high quality, personalized care for our inpatients who are making their new home in Watertown,” said Dierdra Sorrell, chief executive officer of Clifton-Fine Hospital. “We cannot thank the Samaritan team enough for doing this and easing the burden for families and our community during this transition.”

For the Star Lake community, the REH designation will bring expanded outpatient services while continuing emergency care necessary for the safety and well-being of residents and visitors of the Adirondack Mountains.

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