News

June 22, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Health is inviting motivated individuals to attend its healthcare hiring event. Learn more about starting your career in healthcare in the following areas: food service/cook, laundry/housekeeping, patient registration, clinic office support, lab assistant/phlebotomist, and training to...

June 22, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for May 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support...

June 20, 2022

Watertown, NY – After careful consideration, and because the COVID-19 hospitalization rates remain stable, Samaritan Medical Center announces an update to the visitation policy. As of Monday, June 20, 2022, Medical/Surgical (inpatient) Units, Intensive Care Unit, and Progressive Care Unit...

June 13, 2022

We are thrilled to share Robin Compo's first birthday photos sent to us directly by his proud parents, Erin and Nate. But don't let his sweet smiles fool you. This boy is a fighter and a NICU graduate.  Born in...

June 6, 2022

Watertown, New York – Community members will have an opportunity to discuss carpal tunnel surgery with Dr. Brian Zafonte, Director of Orthopedic Surgery at Samaritan Medical Center, on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Dr. Zafonte completed a Hand Surgery Fellowship at...

June 3, 2022

WATERTOWN, NY – On May 16, Samaritan celebrated its employees who reached twenty-years-in-service or more milestones in 2021 with a dinner and awards reception at the Hilton Garden Inn. The event served as the kick-off for Samaritan Experience Week, during...

June 2, 2022

Jefferson County, June 2022 – STAR Center for Symptom Treatment and Relief will be closing its office on Washington Street in Watertown on June 30, 2022. The palliative care clinic will relocate to the Walker Center for Cancer Care under...

May 31, 2022

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

The Susan Peters Nursing Practitioner 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 (NP) degree.  The Samaritan Foundation will award two...

May 25, 2022

Watertown, NY: The first class of Samaritan's Nursing Assistant (NA) Training Program of 2022 received the graduation certificate during a brief ceremony held in the conference room in the hospital. Ten students completed the six weeks program offered by Samaritan....

May 24, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has recertified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, which we are proud to announce during National Stroke Awareness Month. The certification recognizes health care organizations that provide clinical programs across...

May 18, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for April 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support...

April 26, 2022

WATERTOWN, NY — Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce it has received the New York State Obstetric Hemorrhage Project’s 2021 Quality Improvement Award. This award recognizes the hospital's dedicated work to meet the project's goal of assessing at least...

April 18, 2022

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is helping to create a culture of donation in our state by adding the New York State Donate Life Registry’s enrollment form to its website, making it easier than ever for the public to...

April 14, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for March 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support...

April 4, 2022

Watertown, NY – After careful consideration, and because the COVID-19 hospitalization rates remain stable, Samaritan Medical Center announces a two-person, per patient, per day visitation policy for the following inpatient populations: Medical, Surgical, Intensive Care Unit, and Progressive Care Unit...

March 23, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for February 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award...

March 16, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center will host its eighth Annual Physicians’ Recognition event on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, honoring Jan K. Turcotte, MD, with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.  Due to the COVID pandemic, this special occasion was postponed in...

March 14, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Auxiliary’s 20th Annual “One Night, One Diamond” will be celebrated virtually honoring all Samaritan Staff on Saturday, March 26th at 7pm. Proceeds from the 2022 One Night, One Diamond event will purchase an ultraviolet disinfection device...

February 28, 2022

Watertown, NY – Limited visitation and support persons has been announced beginning Monday, February 28, 2022.  Masks continue to be required to protect patients, staff, support persons, and visitors. After months of careful consideration, Samaritan has determined it is now...

February 24, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center received notification this week that the last day of free NYS-sponsored COVID testing will be Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Samaritan Drive-Up Testing Site, as per the state’s directive.   Samaritan’s Drive-Up Testing...

February 17, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce Jan Turcotte, MD, has been elected into the board of governors for Healthcare Trustees of New York State (HTNYS).  Dr. Turcotte is the current chair of the Medical Center Board....

February 3, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Health is pleased to announce that Patrick W. Calli has been selected as its next Vice President of Long Term Care. This position is responsible for oversight of all the Long Term Care Services including Samaritan...

February 2, 2022

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

January 28, 2022

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for January 2022. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, and the BEE Award...

January 13, 2022

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

December 21, 2021

With the holidays upon us, we want to make our community aware of special hours of operation and closures for many of our clinics and services. Happy Holidays! Holiday Hours & ClosuresThe Samaritan clinics and the Resource Line will be...

December 17, 2021

The 19th annual North Country Festival of Trees was held from November 26th – December 4th 2021, benefitting the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation and Watertown Family YMCA. This year’s theme was “Merry and Bright” and it was held at the...

December 7, 2021

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

December 4, 2021

WATERTOWN, NY – The New York State Department of Health has partnered with Jefferson County to open a free COVID-19 testing location, as the positivity rate remains high across the region. Samaritan will use its Drive-Up Testing Site, located at 1575...

November 23, 2021

New wage structure addresses changes in North Country market Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Health has reached an agreement with the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) to raise wages for its unionized registered nurses (RNs) significantly, by 14%, in light...

November 12, 2021

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

November 10, 2021

In-person viewing, online auction are open from Friday, November 26th to December 4th Watertown, NY – A North Country Festival of Trees will once again kick off the holiday season in the North Country, offering an online tree auction and...

November 9, 2021

Proceeds from three-day fundraiser, hosted by The Border 106.7 and 94Rock, to benefit local kids Watertown, NY – The 21st annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon was held November 3-5, 2021 and raised $140,563 to help kids in the North...

November 4, 2021

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

October 26, 2021

Statement Echoes National Obstetric Associations’ Assertion that the Vaccine is Safe & Effective Note: This press release was originally published by the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization. WATERTOWN, NY -- Today, Samaritan Medical Center and the Fort Drum OB/GYN...

October 20, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan’s Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing Site is now offering PCR testing for a fee to individuals with no symptoms, including those worried about an exposure or who need a test for travel purposes. The testing site, located at...

October 18, 2021

Medical oncology at the Walker Center for Cancer Care now clinically affiliated with Roswell Park, providing patients access to the latest in lifesaving medical oncology services Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo,...

October 8, 2021

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

October 5, 2021

In-person viewing, online auction are open from Friday, November 26th to Saturday, December 4th Watertown, NY – A North Country Festival of Trees will once again kick off the holiday season in the North Country, offering an online tree auction...

October 1, 2021

Note: This press release was originally published by the Lewis County Health System. LOWVILLE, NY─ Lewis County Health System is pleased to announce it has partnered with Samaritan Medical Center to help support expecting moms in Lewis County and surrounding...

September 27, 2021

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

September 17, 2021

WATERTOWN – Samaritan Medical Center invites North Country community members to “Talk With a Doc” about the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend. Local doctors will be available via phone from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18th – community members should call...

August 31, 2021

The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation recently received a donation of 100 Medi Teddy® IV bag covers from Sue Washburn, formerly from Watertown, NY. Sue held a fundraiser for her birthday and purchased the bears with the funds raised. The Medi...

August 20, 2021

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is compelled to pause inpatient visitation and support persons in outpatient settings (lab, imaging/radiology tests and more), all Clinics, the Emergency Department and Surgical Services because of the recent increase in positive cases and...

August 18, 2021

Investment made in response to changing market conditions and to be a leader in the region to support staffing, recruitment and retention efforts at all Samaritan Health facilities Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Health today announced it is adopting a $15.00...

August 5, 2021

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

August 2, 2021

Watertown, N.Y. – The New York State Department of Health has ended the free, state-sponsored COVID-19 testing program at Samaritan’s Drive-Up Testing location, 1575 Washington St., Watertown. The state cited marked improvements in public health as the reason for the...

July 30, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship – Desiree Fuller, RN, and Teresa Bednar, RN. Both recipients currently work in Samaritan’s Emergency Department....

July 28, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce that Jacqueline Dawe, RN-BC, MN, CNOR, has been selected as its next Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President of Clinical Services. She brings more than 25 years of nursing experience...

July 9, 2021

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

July 7, 2021

High rating reflects Samaritan’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety and quality for its patients Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center has achieved a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in their Overall Hospital Quality Star...

June 28, 2021

Convenient Location in Health & Wellness Plaza Offers Full Spectrum of Imaging Services Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce the opening of a new community-based imaging facility inside its Health & Wellness Plaza location at 1575...

June 18, 2021

Innovative robotic technology allows orthopedic surgeons to personalize total knee, partial knee and total hip replacement procedures to each patient in the North Country Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is the first hospital in the region to offer robotic-assisted...

June 1, 2021

The Samaritan Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 4th annual Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship. Susan Peters, a retired nurse from Samaritan Medical Center, established the scholarship in 2018 through the Samaritan...

May 26, 2021

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

May 14, 2021

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

May 13, 2021

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Health is pleased to welcome David C. Gordon, MD, PhD; Elizabeth Mathew, MD; and David J. Newman, MD, to its specialty practices and medical staff. Dr. Gordon will join Samaritan Medical Practice’s Ear, Nose & Throat...

May 4, 2021

Funds from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Award will purchase pulse oximeters, allowing certain patients to monitor and manage conditions at home WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has received $5,000 from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Award to expand...

May 2, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan will expand limited hospital inpatient visitation starting Monday, May 3, 2021. Samaritan is pleased to expand visitors who are important to the care and recovery of our patients as our region's COVID-19 infection rates continue to...

April 25, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan will expand limited hospital inpatient visitation and support persons starting Monday, April 26, 2021. Samaritan is pleased to expand visitors and support persons, who are important to the care and recovery of our patients as our...

April 15, 2021

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

April 12, 2021

The Adams Family Health Center is open and lab and x-ray services are still available for all community members. We understand the Adams Urgent Care is now closed, but this is a separate office. We are still open and serving...

April 6, 2021

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

March 26, 2021

Watertown, NY -- On Friday, March 26, Samaritan Health received official notification from the Department of Health (DOH) that full visitation can resume at Samaritan’s Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facility. It is important to note that visitation is allowed...

March 16, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan is pleased to welcome Joel P. Benware, Chief Information Officer (CIO), to Samaritan’s administration and senior leadership team. Benware brings more than 21 years of information technology (IT) experience to the position, including a more than...

March 15, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Auxiliary’s 19th Annual “One Night, One Diamond” will be celebrated virtually in honor of all Samaritan Staff as Our Healthcare Heroes on Saturday, March 27th at 7pm. Proceeds from the 2021 One Night, One Diamond event...

March 12, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center will re-open limited hospital inpatient visitation starting Monday, March 15, 2021 and Emergency Department (ED) support persons starting Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Both were paused in late October 2020 when COVID-19 infection rates increased...

February 26, 2021

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center (SMC) and Northern Radiology Imaging (NRI) announced today SMC will purchase NRI’s Imaging Center assets, which will consolidate and align services in an effort to streamline patient access and enhance the continuity of care...

February 22, 2021

Although the events of 2020 prevented Samaritan from welcoming and celebrating its new physicians at the annual New Physician Reception, we are proud to introduce the following doctors to our community. Nineteen physicians chose to move to the area and...

February 19, 2021

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center recently began offering outpatient monoclonal antibody therapy to help COVID-19-positive patients recovering at home and to meet the increased demand for this therapy type. This treatment has shown to work well at minimizing symptoms...

February 16, 2021

This press release was first issued by Jefferson County Public Health on February 12, 2021. Watertown, NY -- On February 5th, Governor Cuomo announced a list of comorbidities and underlying conditions that New York State will use to determine eligibility...

February 12, 2021

Operational changes to family health centers necessitated by financial impact of the coronavirus and reduced patient volumes Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Health announced today the Cape Vincent Family Health Center will reopen to patients April 1, while the Sackets Harbor...

February 4, 2021

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is piloting a program that allows patients with less severe cases of COVID-19 to recover at home with the help of remote monitoring and follow-up care. When patients arrive at Samaritan’s Emergency Department and...

February 2, 2021

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

February 2, 2021

The Joint COVID-19 Vaccine Point of Dispensing (POD) Clinic at Jefferson Community College will not be able to offer any new appointments for the public this week due to a lack of available vaccine. The limited amount of vaccine received...

January 29, 2021

Local Region Will Join Forces to Administer Vaccines at Jefferson Community College Joint press release on behalf of: Carthage Area Hospital, Jefferson Community College, Jefferson County Public Health Service, North Country Family Health Center, River Hospital, Samaritan Medical Center, and...

January 20, 2021

WATERTOWN, NY – Children’s Miracle Network of NNY is proud to announce Natalie Gondek as the 2021 Local CMN Champion at Samaritan Medical Center. Natalie is the daughter of Marci and Matthew Gondek, of Clayton, NY.   Natalie Gondek, 3, poses with...

January 14, 2021

Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home are pleased to announce their Medical Director, Dr. Collins F. Kellogg Jr., has been credentialed as a Certified Medical Director in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. This certification comes from the American Board...

January 12, 2021

Samaritan Medical Center is pleased to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for December 2020. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® recognizes exemplary nursing staff at the hospital, and the BEE Award honors other outstanding staff members who support...

January 5, 2021

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to be recognized by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield with a Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Racial and ethnic disparities are persistent...

December 28, 2020

Samaritan Health today announced the first COVID-19-related death at one of its two long-term care facilities since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. The resident, who was cared for in Samaritan Summit Village’s skilled nursing facility, first tested...

December 22, 2020

Samaritan Orthopedics adds to Samaritan Medical Practice’s existing slate of specialty surgical services and creates an additional revenue-generating line of business Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center today announced plans to open a new specialty practice, Samaritan Orthopedics, on January...

December 21, 2020

Please note: The following Samaritan Health outpatient locations and services will have limited hours during the holiday season. Patients are encouraged to call ahead before visiting any Samaritan location, even if it is not listed below. Please click here for...

December 13, 2020

On Sunday, December 13, Samaritan Health received notice two residents at Samaritan Summit Village long-term care facility – one in Assisted Living and one in Skilled Nursing – tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case for both...

December 4, 2020

On Friday, December 4, Samaritan Health received notice a resident at Samaritan Keep Home long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first time a resident of either of Samaritan Health’s two long-term care facilities has tested positive...

December 4, 2020

Samaritan Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital, Jefferson County Public Health and the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) are hosting a community-wide COVID-19 mass testing event on Monday, December 7th and Tuesday, December 8th. Collectively, these organizations hope...

November 23, 2020

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect...

November 19, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Medical Center announced the second 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 receiving inpatient care at Samaritan. “We extend our...

November 17, 2020

Robotic Bronchoscopy Could Enable Earlier and More-Accurate Diagnosis of Lung Nodules Watertown, NY – A new innovation that holds promise to fight lung cancer is now in use at Samaritan Medical Center. Used to view the inside of the lungs...

November 16, 2020

Watertown, NY -- The 20th Annual Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon -- held November 11-13, 2020 -- set a new fundraising record this year, bringing in $163,400. This is the most ever raised during the event, surpassing last year’s total...

November 13, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is changing the COVID-19 Drive-Up Testing Site to a more suitable long-term location in anticipation of winter weather. The new location will be at the Samaritan Health & Wellness Plaza, 1575 Washington Street in...

November 10, 2020

Watertown, NY – The 20th Annual Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon will be held November 11-13, 2020, and hopes to set a fundraising record in honor of its 20th year. DJs Johnny Spezzano from the Border 106.7 and Lance Hale from...

October 29, 2020

Samaritan Medical Center, Crouse Health, Mohawk Valley Health System, St. Joseph’s Health, and Upstate University Hospital have joined forces to raise awareness of the signs of stroke and when to seek help in recognition of World Stroke Day, Oct. 29....

October 26, 2020

WATERTOWN, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is compelled to pause inpatient visitation and Emergency Department (ED) support persons because of the recent increase in positive cases in the local region. This takes effect today, Monday, October 26, 2020. This is...

Updated June 20, 2022 In an effort to protect our patients, families, visitors, and staff against the spread of infection and in the accordance with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) guidance, Samaritan Medical Center has implemented the following...

October 6, 2020

Watertown, N.Y. – Samaritan Health announced today it has successfully completed the restoration of all computer systems and applications, and can confirm no patient or employee data was accessed or acquired. Thomas H. Carman, president & chief executive officer, said,...

September 25, 2020

Watertown, NY – The Samaritan Auxiliary has awarded two $1,500 scholarships to Samaritan employees who are advancing their education. The first was awarded to Jessica Helm, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Scrub Tech in Samaritan’s Car-Freshner Center for Women and...

September 17, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Health is complying with new guidelines from the New York State Department of Health for restricted family visitation at long term care facilities. Below is an outline of the new procedures taking effect September 17, 2020....

September 16, 2020

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is Clinically Shown to Help Reduce Risk of Side Effects After Radiation Treatment Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has added a new pre-treatment option for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. At its Walker Center for Cancer...

September 10, 2020

Financial impact of coronavirus pandemic necessitates layoffs of 51 employees, and the reorganization of various departments and services to ensure financial sustainability of region’s largest healthcare system Watertown, N.Y. – As the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis continues for...

September 7, 2020

Samaritan Health continues to work to restore its computer system after taking it offline as a precaution on July 25 due to security concerns involving malware. Steady progress has been made as we restore our systems and network slowly and...

August 19, 2020

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has restored its primary hospital Electronic Medical Records (EMR) application, accounting, and payroll systems. The restoration of the hospital EMR will enable hospital staff to resume regular processes for electronic patient registration, hospital scheduling,...

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 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 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

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

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. ...

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 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...

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 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 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 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 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

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...

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

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,...