Nancy’s Story

After years of traveling to Syracuse for infusion therapy, Nancy LaPage is glad to be “back home” at Samaritan Medical Center for her care.

The Adams Center resident has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for more than 12 years. Having worked for four decades at Samaritan, she was ecstatic when her primary care physician told her she could receive her Remicade infusions in a familiar setting close to home. For her, this meant peace of mind – no arduous, hour-long drives to and from Syracuse for treatment; fewer nerve-wracking winter trips through northern New York’s snow belt; and more time to enjoy her family and retirement.

“This is just wonderful,” she said. “It’s two trips a month to Syracuse that I don’t have to do anymore. I feel very comfortable here at Samaritan – I just love it!”

During her two-hour infusion sessions, Nancy enjoys access to free television and WiFi in her private room. Infusion staff always offer her refreshments and the option to order a meal from Samaritan’s cafeteria, amenities she said were not available to her during her treatment in Syracuse.

Since beginning her treatment at Samaritan in early 2020, Nancy has been making the most of the time she saves, spending it in her garden, crocheting, or with her family and friends. She tries to keep herself busy, exercising her joints as much as possible. With the help of the convenient care she receives at Samaritan, Nancy is in control of her rheumatoid arthritis – and she plans to keep it that way for many years to come.