News

July 31, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center announced the first COVID-19-related death in Jefferson County. The patient, an elderly Jefferson County resident with underlying health conditions, acquired COVID-19 in the community and was admitted to Samaritan’s COVID-19 unit for treatment.  “We...

July 29, 2020

Samaritan Medical Center took its computer system offline on Saturday, July 25, as a precautionary measure after identifying a potential security incident. Samaritan is conducting a full investigation to determine the exact nature and scope of the incident, and working...

July 24, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce the first recipients of its newly established DAISY and BEE Awards. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital, and the BEE Award honors other...

July 21, 2020

Watertown, NY -- Samaritan Summit Village is pleased to announce it has been approved to allow limited visitation for all residents. Guidance for limited nursing home visitation was provided by the New York State Department of Health on July 10,...

July 13, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has been designated a New York State-sponsored COVID-19 collection site, one of six in the North Country region. The partnership allows Samaritan access to a third-party laboratory service, BioReference, which will process many COVID-19...

July 8, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Dermatology is pleased to announce that it now offers Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of skin cancer. It is the only location in Jefferson County to provide this service. A Mohs surgery is typically performed...

June 30, 2020

Watertown, NY – After a careful evaluation of its outpatient care physical spaces, Samaritan Medical Center has decided to temporarily suspend its Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program, effective immediately. The service has not been operational since mid-March when COVID-19 restrictions were put...

June 29, 2020

Watertown, NY – As part of its ongoing commitment to support Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals and medical professionals on the front lines, Panda Express® has donated 18,000 single-use surgical masks and 1,920 KN95 particulate respirators to Samaritan Medical Center....

June 25, 2020

Update: To accommodate social distancing in our entrances, please know that all inpatient visitors must enter and exit through the Rotunda entrance beginning Friday, June 26, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. There will be dedicated parking in both parking lots off...

June 19, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – As per New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidelines released this week, Samaritan will be following updated visitor restrictions to protect our staff, patients, and community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Health has determined...

June 8, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Dermatology is pleased to welcome two new Physician Assistants, Amy Lynn Werchinski, MPAS, RPA-C, and Erin Bryant, RPA-C, to the comprehensive physician-led practice. They join Dr. Nathanial Miletta, Dr. Zachary Nahmias, and Dr. Casey Chern, located...

June 1, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center will resume elective inpatient procedures effective June 1 after receiving further guidance from the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH). This news follows the resumption of elective outpatient surgeries and procedures on...

May 20, 2020

The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 3rd annual Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship. Susan Peters, a retired nurse from Samaritan Medical Center, established the scholarship in 2018 through the Samaritan...

May 15, 2020

Samaritan Auxiliary, in an abundance of caution and given the uncertainty of when large groups will be able to congregate again, regretfully announces the cancellation of this year’s One Night, One Diamond event. The event that had been scheduled for...

May 14, 2020

On Monday, May 11, Samaritan Health began testing staff and residents for COVID-19 at Samaritan Keep Home long-term care facility, in compliance with a new state directive issued by Governor Cuomo and as part of our ongoing safety efforts. Late...

May 1, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center received a dose of good news on April 21 when Governor Andrew Cuomo announced hospitals in counties without a significant risk of a COVID-19 surge in the near term can resume elective outpatient surgeries...

April 21, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – In response to changing patient volumes and recent staff furloughs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaritan Health has announced temporary changes to its outpatient clinics and services. These changes expand upon a previous consolidation of Samaritan’s Family...

April 20, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is now offering rapid testing for COVID-19, with results for certain patients available in approximately one hour. Samaritan’s Laboratory began rapid testing on Thursday, April 16th, after acquiring the Cepheid GeneXpert® XVI testing instrument....

April 17, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – As the COVID-19 health crisis continues to challenge the healthcare industry, Samaritan Health leadership has made the difficult decision to furlough approximately 10 percent of its employees effective April 17, 2020. In addition, the following drastic measures...

April 16, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) entrance, which has been closed for renovations since late January, will reopen this Friday, April 17, at 7:00 a.m. At the same time, the hospital’s main entrance, which served as the...

April 14, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York is proud to join a nationwide partnership between Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Staples US Retail to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) for Samaritan Medical Center. The collaboration, which will...

April 7, 2020

Awareness week encourages support for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Northern New York Watertown, NY -- The COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping the globe is rapidly changing the way we live. You feel this in your own life. We feel...

April 6, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is reporting its first inpatient case of COVID-19. The patient arrived at the hospital with respiratory problems and, based on symptoms, was tested for COVID-19 and admitted to the hospital. The patient was cared...

March 31, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – With COVID-19 causing a nationwide shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at medical facilities, a group of local manufacturing companies, educational institutions and architects are stepping up to produce face shields for healthcare workers at Samaritan. Face...

March 26, 2020

Today -- March 26, 2020 -- the third and fourth cases of individuals with positive COVID-19 in Jefferson County were confirmed by LabCorp laboratory. The individuals are Jefferson County residents, and are now in mandatory isolation by the Jefferson County...

March 24, 2020

Are you getting ready to deliver your baby at Samaritan? Among all the precautionary measures in place to protect our patients and staff from COVID-19, here are some things you should know about delivering your baby: Please use Samaritan's Car-Freshner...

March 20, 2020

For pre-cautionary reasons, Samaritan is following guidance and recommendations from the NYS Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and American College of Surgeons to cancel some elective surgeries and procedures to help preserve supplies, protect patients...

March 19, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – The New York State Department of Health has approved Samaritan to open an appointment only, drive-up Testing Site for COVID-19. The site will open today, Thursday, March 19, 2020. In order to visit the Testing Site, community...

March 19, 2020

As demand for medical supplies increases during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical providers are facing a shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, gloves and face shields. Many local doctor's offices, long-term care facilities and hospitals are taking...

March 18, 2020

Due to an abundance of caution -- and in compliance with NYS Department of Health and CDC guidelines -- the following events have been postponed or cancelled to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19): Samaritan Events Cardiopulmonary Rehab Spring Luncheon...

March 18, 2020

Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, the Samaritan Family Health Centers in Cape Vincent, Lacona and Sackets Harbor will temporarily close and all patients will be seen at the larger nearby Health Centers -- Clayton, Adams, and LeRay, respectively. This precautionary...

March 17, 2020

March 17, 2020 -- Late today, the first case of an individual with positive COVID-19 in Jefferson County was confirmed by LabCorp laboratory.  The individual is a Jefferson County resident, and the specimen was taken and submitted by the Samaritan...

March 13, 2020

In an abundance of caution, we regretfully announce that we are postponing Samaritan Auxiliary’s One Night, One Diamond event.  As we grapple with the concerns and realities of the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, we are mindful of the impact...

March 6, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Update - March 8, 2020 The NYSDOH has informed Jefferson County Public Health that the results for the Samaritan patient tested for COVID-19 were negative. The Jefferson County Public Health Service will end monitoring of the patient today. ...

March 5, 2020

The Samaritan Health System is currently under visitor restrictions. These restrictions are in compliance with the New York State Department of Health as a precaution to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Restrictions: Samaritan Medical Center Routine visiting will...

February 28, 2020

The following Samaritan outpatient locations are closed or are closing early today due to inclement weather. For all other locations, please call ahead to confirm the location is open. Adams Family Health Center and Lab and X-ray services, Adams, NY...

February 26, 2020

Dr. Jan K. Turcotte to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center will host its eighth annual Physician Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 2, 2020. This event, supported by the hospital’s Medical Executive Committee and Foundation, is...

February 25, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY -- In the past when faced with a diagnosis of “skin cancer,” those words would often mark the beginning of a long journey with multiple visits to complete surgical treatment. That journey will soon be much easier with...

February 20, 2020

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has selected Samaritan Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement, part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved patient safety...

February 20, 2020

Utica, N.Y. – Thirty-six upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $29.3 million in quality improvement payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of the nonprofit health insurer’s Hospital Performance Incentive Program. Since 2005, Excellus BCBS's program...

February 17, 2020

The waiting area of Samaritan's new Women's Wellness and Breast Care. Aubertine and Currier Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors recently received the Northern New York Builders Exchange 2019 Excellence in Construction & Craftsmanship Award for the Samaritan Medical Center Women’s...

February 15, 2020

Congratulations to Tom Carman, Samaritan President and CEO, for his recent appointment to the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Executive Committee for 2020. Tom has been on the HANYS board for several years now, advocating for all of...

February 6, 2020

Samaritan Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Primary Stroke Center Certification by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment...

February 1, 2020

Fort Drum is being considered for the stationing of a fourth Army Corps Headquarters. We welcome the opportunity to support an Army Corps Headquarters, along with the Soldiers and Families that will come to the North Country. The North Country...

January 27, 2020

Watertown, NY -- Renovations to Samaritan Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) will begin on Jan. 29, 2020. The upgrades to the ED’s waiting room intake and triage check-in areas will improve patient privacy and enhance the waiting space for the...

January 24, 2020

Kai Diggs Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals of Northern New York is pleased to announce Kai Diggs, 6, of Watertown, as its 2020 Champion! Each year, 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the country identify a champion in their community to...

January 20, 2020

Samaritan Medical Center is doing its part to ensure safe sleep for all infants. When an infant is born at Samaritan, staff at our Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children will educate and demonstrate to families the importance of safe...

January 16, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has selected Samaritan Medical Center as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated healthcare facilities shown to deliver improved...

January 7, 2020

*** CLOSURE NOTICE *** Due to a water issue, the Clayton Family Health Center, located at 909 Strawberry Lane in Clayton, is closed today, Tuesday, January 7, 2020. The Clayton Family Health Center anticipates opening tomorrow (1/8/2020) for normal office...

January 6, 2020

The American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) inducted Samaritan Medical Center’s Deana E. Paley, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive osteopathic surgeon, as a Fellow (FACOS) in October 2019. The designation of Fellow is determined by recognition of a doctor’s board...

January 1, 2020

The Samaritan Auxiliary presents One Night, One Diamond, an elegant evening of dining and dancing to the band Atlas with an opportunity to win an exquisite half-carat diamond donated by Cook’s Jewelers, as well as a getaway weekend donated by...

December 30, 2019

WATERTOWN – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to welcome Nathanial R. Miletta, MD; Casey M. Chern, MD; Sara L. Cederstrand, MD; Agnieszka K. Dombrowska, DO; John J. Burnett, DO; Anita N. Lwanga, MD; Gillian V. Kupakuwana-Suk, MD; and Dmitry A....

December 23, 2019

Watertown, New York -- In 2019, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN) of Northern New York at Samaritan Medical Center awarded $399,152 to benefit local kids in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. All of this is possible with the generous...

December 23, 2019

Presenting Sponsors Media Sponsors Diamond Sponsors Emerald Sponsors Ruby Sponsors Advanced Business SystemsBella Bridal & Tuxedo JunctionBrownell AbstractTom & Irene CarmanCleveland ServicesCommunity Bank, NAThe Coughlin Printing Group Shawna & Brandon Cutuli / Melissa & Stuart SchmittDr. & Mrs. Walter and...

December 16, 2019

Watertown, New York -- The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation today announced a significant donation from Car-Freshner Corporation to help fund the Center for Women and Children. In recognition for the company’s support, Samaritan also announced that it will rename the...

December 10, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) has opened its new Women’s Wellness and Breast Care location as of Monday, November 25. An official ribbon cutting and open house event was held November 13 to introduce it to the community and highlight the...

November 27, 2019

The 2019 holiday season kicks off with the much-anticipated annual North Country Festival of Trees, which runs December 5-8th at the Dulles State Office Building. A weekend of fun, family-oriented activities is planned. A North Country Festival of Trees benefits...

November 25, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce the accreditation of its Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Program through the American Academy of Diabetes Educators as of late October. This educational program outlines support needed to implement and sustain the...

November 20, 2019

UPDATED 11/20/2019 at 1:15 pm -- The Coffeen St. Lab and X-ray Center is now fully functional. The Samaritan Coffeen St. Lab and X-ray Center, located at 1213 Coffeen St., Watertown, is closed to walk-in patients due to internet connectivity...

November 8, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center will host a Ribbon Cutting and Open House at its new Women’s Wellness and Breast Care location from 4:00-7:00 PM on November 13th, 2019. Located in the Samaritan Health and Wellness Plaza, 1575 Washington St., the new...

November 5, 2019

The Children’s Miracle Network of NNY’s 19th Annual Radiothon fundraiser will take place Wednesday, November 6 through Friday, November 8 from 6 am to 6 pm. Each year, the Border 106.7/94 Rock CMN Radiothon fills the North Country airwaves with...

October 23, 2019

Today, October 23, 2019, Samaritan Medical Center ran its annual Point of Dispensing (POD) Drill, practicing for a mass outbreak emergency while vaccinating hundreds of employees for the flu. The drill, which began at 4:45 a.m. and continues through midnight,...

October 22, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center will host a community “Shed the Meds” Drug Take-Back event on Friday, October 25th. While prescription drugs are a necessity for people, many homes have medicine cabinets full of prescriptions that are expired or no longer used....

October 21, 2019

WHAT: The local lung cancer community is coming together for the 11th annual Shine a Light on Lung Cancer event. Samaritan Medical Center’s Walker Center for Cancer Care will join an anticipated 200 cities where Shine a Lights will be...

October 7, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center has implemented improved medication practices in the Emergency Department (ED), inpatient care, and within surgical services to help counteract the local opioid dependency crisis. By administering fewer opioids for pain, patients are less exposed to these powerful...

October 7, 2019

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Samaritan is adding mammography services on Saturdays from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the main hospital for the month of October. These extended appointment hours are reserved for patients who need screening...

September 18, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center has earned a gold recognition for its efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue donor registrations across the state, through the Workplace Partnership for Life (WPFL) Hospital Organ Donation Campaign. The WPFL is a national initiative that...

September 9, 2019

Watertown, New York ----- Samaritan Medical Center’s annual Cancer Awareness Event will be held September 25, 2019 at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1290 Arsenal Street in Watertown.  Informational and vendor booths will open at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner...

August 29, 2019

The Samaritan LeRay Urgent Care is making it easier to be seen for your non-emergency medical needs. Book an appointment online today to get the time you need! Click on Book an Appointment and follow the easy steps to make...

August 26, 2019

Samaritan Family Health Network’s eight primary care centers received recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a NYS Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) practice at the 2017 standard, the most recent standard available. This recognition is given to practices...

August 26, 2019

Watertown, New York --- Samaritan Medical Center celebrated its most recent facility upgrade with an official ribbon cutting and open house event on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. Since 2006 Samaritan Medical Center has embarked on a multi-year campus transformation and...

August 20, 2019

The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York is pleased to announce that it has received a $150,000 grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation to support the Walker Center for Cancer Care and the Center for Women...

August 16, 2019

Join Samaritan Medical Center's Circle of Hope Cancer Committee at their annual Cancer Awareness Dinner Wednesday, September 25, 2019Hilton Garden Inn1290 Arsenal Street, Watertown Door open and Vendors start at 4:30pmProgram begins at 6:00pm The Circle of Hope in conjunction...

August 14, 2019

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recognized Samaritan’s Center for Women and Children for its noteworthy dedication to patient safety by adhering to their established policy to administer the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine to newborns prior to hospital discharge,...

August 7, 2019

Watertown, New York --- Samaritan is pleased to welcome Maxine A. Briggs, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to Samaritan’s administration and senior leadership team. Briggs brings over 13 years of healthcare experience and 24 years of accounting knowledge to the position....

August 6, 2019

2019 Theme: White Christmas A North Country Festival of Trees highlights the spirit of the season with four days of activities for the entire family, with over 50 trees and wreaths decorated to create a magically festive setting. As a...

August 2, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to welcome Sima Banerjee, MD, Holden Heitner, MD and Jason Lulejian, DO to our hospital medical staff. Sima Banerjee, MD, is our new Director of Interventional Radiology & Interventional Oncology. Interventional radiology is a medical...

June 19, 2019

The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York is pleased to announce a donation to the Walker Center for Cancer Care from Ameritas® through Watertown native, Kim G. Allen, managing partner of United Professional Advisors, LLC and co-founder of...

June 6, 2019

Join us as we host a nationally accredited trainer to our region and educate interested community members in becoming a Certified Lactation Counselor. This certification is highly sought after and important to many healthcare agencies across New York State, as...

May 28, 2019

Watertown, New York --- Applications are now being accepted for the 2nd Annual Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship. A retired nurse from Samaritan Medical Center has established a scholarship through the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation for Registered Nurses (RNs) looking to...

May 28, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) is hosting a community “Shed the Meds” Drug Take-Back event on Tuesday, June 4th. While prescription drugs are a necessity for people, many homes have medicine cabinets full of prescriptions that are expired or no longer...

May 14, 2019

Event Celebrates National Nurses’ Week Watertown, New York ----- As part of its National Nurses’ Week celebration activities, Samaritan Medical Center and its Medical Staff hosted a reception and award presentation on Thursday, May 9th to recognize outstanding achievements by...

May 2, 2019

The Samaritan Medical Plaza building, located at 1575 Washington Street in Watertown, has encountered a water main break and will be closing all offices located here for the remainder of the day. All offices will be open tomorrow (Friday, May...

May 1, 2019

Samaritan is experiencing a major phone and data outage that is limiting inbound and outbound phone calls and data connection outside of the facilities.  We are working diligently with our local vendor to restore use and repair the issue. The outage is...

April 18, 2019

Samaritan Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert J. Baranello as the Vice President of Post-Acute Care Services.  This position is responsible for oversight of all the Post-Acute Care Services including Samaritan Keep Home, Samaritan Summit Village and...

April 5, 2019

SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER AND HUMANA REACH AGREEMENT ON A NEW CONTRACT FOR FORT DRUM MEDICAL COMMAND (MEDDAC) Watertown, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2019 – Samaritan Medical Center and Humana today announced they have reached an agreement on a new contract that...

April 5, 2019

Samaritan Announces New Director of Communication & Public Relations Watertown, NY --- Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Director of Communication & Public Relations, Leslie M. DiStefano of Watertown. As Director of Communication &...

April 5, 2019

Samaritan Medical Center Urges Visitors to Not Visit if They Have Signs of Illness With a significant increase in Influenza (flu) and Norovirus (stomach flu) in our community, Samaritan Medical Center and all of its facilities are urging visitors and...

January 16, 2019

MODELING SEARCH: TEEN MODELS NEEDED FOR FASHION SHOW TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK WATERTOWN, NY – Is a prom in your future? Or maybe you’re attending another formal occasion and are looking for just the right dress or tuxedo. The...

December 14, 2018

On Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th, a crew will be on-site to seal/stripe the ramp up to the 3rd level as well as the 3rd level deck. The following weekend (October 22nd and 23rd) they will do the...

December 14, 2018

FREE Hernia ScreeningSaturday, December 9th • 11am - 2pmSamaritan Medical Center Surgery PracticeCall 315-755-3083 to register today!Join us to see our robotic-guided technology first hand!You can even take it for a “test-drive.”Space is limited and registration is recommended.Did you know...

December 14, 2018

Fast scans. Exceptional comfort. Unmatched quality.Has your doctor ever recommended that you get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) exam? Or are you simply curious about this safe imaging test?There’s no better place to schedule an MRI exam than Samaritan Medical...

December 14, 2018

The Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship was established to assist with the education costs for a Registered Nurse (RN) who is continuing his or her education, and specifically pursuing a Nurse Practitioner degree. The scholarship will award two (2) scholarships in...

November 13, 2018

New this year: public viewing and children’s events open Thursday, November 29th partnering with the City of Watertown and Downtown Business Association’s Christmas Parade and Tree LightingWatertown, New York ----- The holiday season kicks off with the much-anticipated annual North...

November 8, 2018

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Lung Cancer Alliance, lung cancer is the leading cancer death in men and women in every ethnic group in the United States and takes more lives than breast, prostate and colon...

October 14, 2018

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Samaritan is offering extended hours for our mammogram servicesCall (315) 779-5200 to schedule your appointment today!Please note that you must have an order from your doctor to make an appointmentSaturday Hours in October...

March 28, 2018

March 28th, 4:00pm - 6:00pmSamaritan Medical CenterConference Rooms 2A & 2BAt Samaritan, everyone's job is critical to the successful care of our patients and residents. We invite you to learn more about a career as an RN, LPN, NA or...

July 5, 2017

July 5, 2017PLEASE NOTE: Samaritan Medical Center is on ambulance diversion. This by no means indicates that we are closed - WE ARE ACCEPTING PATIENTS. Diversion is simply a request for ambulance services to consider transporting patients to another hospital,...