Watertown, N.Y. – In recognition of World Liver Day, Samaritan Medical Center invites community members to a free World Liver Day Educational Event on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Samaritan Medical Center Rotunda (connector between Samaritan Medical Center and Samaritan Keep Home), 830 Washington Street, Watertown.
World Liver Day is a global event to raise awareness about liver disease, promoting prevention, early screening, and treatment focusing on the fact that 90% of liver diseases are preventable through lifestyle changes.
Samaritan Medical Center will celebrate the day with educational presentations from two leading experts on liver disease and a showcase of its FibroScan technology.
FibroScan has revolutionized how health care professionals assess liver health, offering an alternative to traditional liver biopsies. The technology uses advanced elastography to measure liver stiffness, which correlates with the degree of fibrosis. It can also help identify individuals who may not yet show symptoms but are at high risk due to factors such as obesity, diabetes or hepatitis.
The noninvasive procedure requires no needles or incisions, making it a comfortable and convenient option for individuals seeking a thorough liver evaluation. Early detection is key. Identifying liver fibrosis in its early stages is critical to preventing progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer and, in some cases, may allow for reversal.
Attendees will hear from Dr. Santiago Munoz, associate professor of clinical medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and board-certified in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology. Dr. Renu Umashanker, a clinical hepatologist with 28 years of experience and an associate professor at Yale and the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, will also be present.
Guests can meet Samaritan’s local care team, including Dr. Ryan Tyler and Jen Ring, AGNP-C, of Samaritan’s Watertown Family Health Center.
The event is free and open to the public and health care professionals. Refreshments will be served. RSVPs are encouraged at samaritanhealth.com/world-liver-day-event.
Parking is available at no charge in the Washington Street lot and the Samaritan Medical Center parking garage.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for February 2026. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honors exceptional nursing staff, while the BEE Award recognizes other outstanding team members who demonstrate excellence every day, both at the hospital and in outpatient clinics.
Nichole Covell, Registered Nurse (RN) and Lactation Educator at Samaritan’s Car-Freshner Center for Women and Children, was honored with the February DAISY Award. Nominated by a patient, she was recognized for her professionalism and compassionate care. The patient shared how meaningful it was to feel truly heard, noting that Covell’s attentive approach provided comfort and reassurance during her experience.
The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Covell received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin, and the “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture—hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of the sculpture has been installed in Samaritan’s Healing Gardens to honor all current and future DAISY and BEE Award winners, funded by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Jacqueline Maynes, Nursing Assistant (NA) at Samaritan’s Progressive Care Unit, received the February BEE Award. Maynes was nominated by a patient who highlighted the nursing assistant’s wonderful personality and ability to make the patient feel comforted.
Maynes received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.
These awards are presented year-round, and patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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Pictured here are Samaritan’s February 2026 DAISY Award recipient, Nichole Covell, RN (left), and February 2026 BEE Award recipient, Jacqueline Maynes, NA (right).
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.
Watertown, NY — On April 12, Kinney Drugs stores will begin their 34th annual fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Since the Kinney Drugs Foundation partnership with CMN began in 1992, more than $4 million has been raised in support of six children’s hospitals.
Locally, 16 stores in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties will collect donations for Samaritan Medical Center. In 2025, these dedicated teams raised more than $54,000 for CMN of Northern New York. With the generosity of their customers, they hope to increase that total during this year’s seven-week campaign.
Over the years, Kinney Drugs has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting the community and CMN. Through this campaign, they will collect donations at the register, organize contests and special events, and share one important message – 100% helps local kids.
“Every donation that’s made to CMN through Kinney Drugs will go to the local children’s hospital in that community,” said Angie VanWormer, Director of Children’s Miracle Network at Samaritan Medical Center. “Many of the families supported by our CMN program will regularly visit their local Kinney Drugs store for their child’s prescriptions or to shop for essentials. The stores supporting Samaritan know what their fundraising means for families of children receiving medical care, and they are truly invested in this campaign.”
Samaritan Medical Center is one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across North America, raising and allocating funds to improve the health and wellbeing of children in the local community. Every donation stays local to support child-centered areas of Samaritan and to provide financial assistance to families in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties with a child facing a health crisis.
There is a great deal of excitement for this campaign, and the community is encouraged to support Kinney Drugs’ efforts to make big change for all kids.
For more information about Children’s Miracle Network, contact Samaritan Medical Center at 315-785-4053 or [email protected]
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Kinney Drugs staff are pictured above with Finley Valentine, this year’s Children’s Miracle Network of NNY Champion.
Samaritan Medical Center wants to provide clarity for patients who have questions about billing statements they received from older dates of service. This situation arose during our recent transition to a new billing partner. We recognize this has caused confusion and concern for some patients, and we sincerely apologize. Samaritan Medical Center is actively working with Kopp Billing Agency to ensure this does not happen in the future.
Below is more information about the situation and how we plan to move forward.
Why did this happen? Samaritan Medical Center recently transitioned to a new billing partner, Kopp Billing Agency, to improve the billing process and provide patients with more timely and accurate account information, plus a better customer service experience. During the transition, outstanding balances from our previous billing vendor that had not been sent to patients were transferred to the new billing system.
Why did you change billing vendors? Samaritan Medical Center transitioned to a new billing partner to improve the patient billing experience. Under the previous billing partner, some accounts were not consistently billed or followed up on, which resulted in some accounts not being addressed for extended periods of time. Transitioning to Kopp Billing Agency will allow us to better track services, resolve balances appropriately and accurately, and provide clearer communication with patients about their accounts.
Why was my account directed to a collections group? A number of bills, which had older dates of services but had not previously been billed, were mailed to patients. As part of our standard billing process, we instructed our new billing vendor to send two statements and allow 60 days for payment. In some cases, these accounts were referred to a collections agency if payment did not occur within 60 days.
Collections is a standard part of managing outstanding balances and does not mean patients are being penalized in any way. Our collections vendor works closely with patients to pay outstanding balances as best they can, including providing payment plan options that are tailored to individual financial situations. If you have been sent to our collections partner CBS Medical Billing and Consulting, you will need to contact them directly at 315-782-1400.
What is Samaritan Medical Center doing to fix this? Samaritan Medical Center is actively working with Kopp Billing Agency to prevent billing delays and ensure all bills are sent promptly with insurance claims processed first.
What should I do if I have more questions or my statement seems incorrect? If you received a statement that you believe may be inaccurate, please contact Samaritan’s billing support team directly at 315-786-4900 or [email protected], or Kopp Billing Agency at 315-779-4007 so we can review your account and resolve the matter.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete the implementation of our new system and correct any affected accounts. Any accounts impacted by this issue will be reviewed and adjusted as necessary.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for January 2026. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses® honors exceptional nursing staff, while the BEE Award recognizes other outstanding team members who demonstrate excellence every day, both at the hospital and in outpatient clinics.
Alissa Arno, Registered Nurse on 4 Pratt (medical/surgical unit), received the January DAISY Award. Her nomination, submitted by a fellow Samaritan caregiver, highlighted her compassionate, patient-centered care and exceptional teamwork. She consistently goes above and beyond—ensuring safe, well-coordinated discharges and supporting patients’ basic needs with dignity. As a preceptor, she is thorough, supportive, and dedicated to the success of new staff, making her a strong advocate for patients, colleagues, and the unit.
The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Arno received a certificate of recognition, a DAISY Award pin, and the “A Healer’s Touch” sculpture—hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. A larger version of the sculpture has been installed in Samaritan’s Healing Gardens to honor all current and future DAISY and BEE Award winners, funded by the Samaritan Auxiliary.
Gerald Bunker, Physical Therapist, received the January BEE Award. Gerald was nominated by a colleague who recognized him for his exceptional patient care, workplace innovation, and commitment to caregiver wellbeing.
Bunker received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.
These awards are presented year-round, and patients, families, and colleagues are encouraged to submit nominations at any time. To make a nomination or learn more about the DAISY and BEE Awards, visit samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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Pictured here are Samaritan’s January 2026 DAISY Award recipient, Alissa Arno, RN (left), and January 2026 BEE Award recipient, Gerald Bunker, PT (right).
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.
Watertown, N.Y. – At Samaritan, there are volunteers who serve at the hospital, long term care facilities, special events, off-site offices and on various boards of our respective entities. Initiated in 2023, the HIVE (Helpful Indeed – Volunteering Excellence) Award is a way to honor those volunteers who have contributed an extraordinary level of dedication and shown exceptional service to Samaritan while consistently demonstrating the organization’s HEART values, which are Honest, Empathetic, Accountable, Respect, and Trustworthy.
Why HIVE? The beehive is symbolic of teamwork, unity, growth, and development. At Samaritan, we are all caregivers, including those who have committed to showing extraordinary compassionate care as a volunteer. We need each other to care for our community.
The HIVE Award complements the existing DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses®, the BEE Award (Being Excellent Every Day) honoring other outstanding staff members who support patient care, at the hospital and all outpatient clinics, the OWL (Outstanding Workers in Long Term Care) for the team of caregivers at the Samaritan Keep Home and Samaritan Summit Village, and the ELM award for exceptional leaders and managers. Altogether, we recognize the amazing caregivers of the Samaritan Health System and the culture we embrace.
Our first recipient for 2026 is Joliese Haynes. She serves as a volunteer with the storeroom team in the Medical Center, supporting the entire health system.
A Samaritan Caregiver of the unit nominated Haynes saying, “Joliese consistently comes in to help sort letters in the mailroom, and her contributions are greatly appreciated. She is always friendly, outgoing, and a true joy to be around. She reliably volunteers three times a week, and her presence makes a meaningful difference. We are grateful for the energy and dedication she brings to the team.”
Those interested in recognizing a Samaritan volunteer may submit an online nomination at samaritanhealth.com/hive there are also paper nomination forms available at the Medical Center and Samaritan Summit Village gift shops.
Pictured here is Joliese Haynes, HIVE Award recipient at Samaritan Medical Center.
Watertown, New York – Samaritan Medical Center will host its Physician Recognition Dinner on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The event, sponsored by the Samaritan Medical Center Medical Executive Committee and the Samaritan Foundation, takes place each year around and in celebration of National Doctors’ Day, honoring both active and retired physicians for their tireless dedication to the community. National Doctors’ Day is observed annually on March 30.
As part of the evening, one physician will be presented with the twelfth Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a Samaritan doctor for their leadership and long-term service to the health and well-being of Northern New York. Whether through private practice, hospital duties, leadership roles on the Board or Medical Staff, or volunteer efforts, Samaritan physicians contribute their time and expertise to making the community a better place to live.
This year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Dr. Sarah Delaney-Rowland, an emergency medicine physician, in recognition of her 22 years of outstanding service in Emergency Medicine at Samaritan Medical Center, distinguished by exceptional clinical expertise, compassionate leadership, and an unwavering commitment to patients, colleagues and the communities she serves.
Born and raised in Watertown, Dr. Delaney-Rowland received her medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse in 1997. She went on to complete a residency in emergency medicine at MetroHealth Medical Center/Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. She is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Following residency, Dr. Delaney-Rowland enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began practice as an emergency medicine physician at Ehrling Bergquist Hospital, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. She was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Major in July 2004. She then returned to her hometown of Watertown and joined the medical staff of Samaritan Medical Center through her employment with Emergency Medicine Consultants, PC. In 2008, she became an owner of that group which is now known as North Country Emergency Medicine Consultants, PC.
Dr. Sarah Delaney-Rowland has demonstrated longstanding leadership and service both within Samaritan Medical Center and throughout the region. She currently serves as Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine, a role she has held since 2011. Hospital leadership roles include serving on the Medical Executive Committee and Emergency Department Management Committee. She also contributes to numerous hospital and regional committees focused on quality improvement, patient safety, infectious disease, trauma and stroke care, and emergency management. In addition, she serves as Medical Director for several area fire and ambulance services, further underscoring her dedication to emergency care both within the hospital and throughout the community.
Beyond the hospital, Dr. Delaney-Rowland is engaged in community service. She supports the Lyme community through fundraising and outreach efforts, coordinates donations to Project V.E.T.S. and Partners for World Health, and, alongside her husband, owns Elmwood Labradors, where they breed and train English Labradors. She is also active in pet therapy through Pet Partners and has specialized training in assisted animal crisis response, providing emotional support during times of crisis and disaster.
“In honor of Doctors’ Day, this event allows us to recognize and thank our physicians and to celebrate the essential role they play at Samaritan,” said Thomas H. Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Dr. Delaney-Rowland exemplifies the highest standards of patient care, leadership, and community service. Her dedication to emergency medicine, her colleagues, patients, and the community has had a profound and lasting impact on Samaritan and the region.
Dr. Delaney-Rowland is married to her high school sweetheart, Chris. Together they have four children – Christopher, Gwyneth, Madeleine, and Graham. She is the daughter of Michael and Lori Delaney.
The Physician Recognition Dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Samaritan Summit Village, 22691 Campus Drive, Watertown, NY. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $60 per person. For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/physiciandinner, or call 315-785-5745.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2013. Past recipients of this award include Dr. Jack Rush (2025); Dr. Karl Komar (2024); Dr. Maja Lundborg-Gray (2023); Dr. Jan Turcotte (2022); Dr. LaVerne VanDeWall (2019); Dr. Al Maloney (2018); Dr. John Poggi (2017); Dr. Collins F. Kellogg, Jr. (2016); Dr. David P. Rechlin (2015); Dr. David O. VanEenenaam (2014); Dr. Ronald G. Perciaccante (2013).
Watertown, NY – Samaritan is proud to recognize three exceptional team members as the fall and winter 2025 recipients of its Outstanding Workers in Long Term Care (OWL) Award. These awards were delayed due to various reasons.
At Samaritan Summit Village, Victoria David, food service worker, was recognized for being kind-hearted, and making sure everyone is cared for. Carrie Lawlor, a secretary with the dietary team, was nominated for her compassionate nature and many years of dedication to Samaritan Summit Village residents, and to her co-workers.
At Samaritan Keep Home, Carson Vance, a maintenance team member, was nominated for his exceptional dedication to our facilities and residents, going above and beyond to make residents and visitors feel at home.
The honorees received certificates and tokens of appreciation during special recognition ceremonies held at their respective facilities.
The OWL Award celebrates the everyday heroes who go the extra mile to provide excellent care and support in Samaritan’s long term care communities. Nominations are accepted year-round from patients, residents, families, and colleagues.
To learn more about the OWL Award—and the DAISY and BEE Awards that also recognize extraordinary caregiving across the Samaritan system—visit www.samaritanhealth.com/daisy-bee.
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Pictured here, from left to right, are fall and winter 2025 OWL awardees Carrie Lawlor, Victoria David, and Carson Vance.
About Samaritan’s Long Term Care Services
Caregivers at Samaritan Summit Village and Samaritan Keep Home provide round-the-clock skilled nursing care and significant assistance with the activities of daily life. Nursing homes have nursing staff on duty 24 hours a day to help individuals meet their daily physical, social and psychological needs. A licensed physician supervises each resident’s care and therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy are available to provide rehabilitation services. Samaritan Summit Village also offers Assisted Living with six neighborhoods and apartments that are comfortable, functional, and safe. This facility is for those who need a little extra help while continuing an independent lifestyle.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center expanded its employee recognition program in fall 2025 with the introduction of the ELM Award for Exceptional Leaders and Managers, honoring outstanding leadership across the organization. The final recipient for 2025—and the program’s second overall honoree—is Andrea Roden, Samaritan Experience Manager.
Roden previously served as Samaritan’s Patient Relations Manager and now leads as Samaritan Experience Manager, where she oversees patient relations, the volunteer program, and screening/visitation caregivers. In every role, she has elevated the standard of service, championing a culture where every patient, resident, visitor, and caregiver feels heard, valued, and supported.
Beyond her leadership responsibilities, Roden serves as an Innovation Ambassador and actively contributes to several internal committees, helping shape initiatives that strengthen the organization and enhance the care experience.
She was nominated for this award by multiple caregivers who consistently highlighted her unwavering dedication to her profession, her team, and the individuals and families Samaritan serves. Their nominations reflect a leader whose compassion, integrity, and commitment truly embody the spirit of Samaritan.
Roden was presented with the award on February 10 and was celebrated by her co-workers.
The ELM Award honors exceptional Samaritan leaders and managers who exemplify the organization’s HEART values—honesty, empathy, accountability, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. Unlike the DAISY, BEE, or OWL Awards, which recognize those in direct patient or resident care roles, the ELM Award celebrates leaders who support care indirectly through their leadership.
These individuals foster safe, supportive environments for staff, uphold quality standards, manage resources responsibly, and cultivate teamwork, resilience, and recognition. They create settings where compassion thrives, enabling staff to treat patients, residents, and families with dignity and respect. Nominated by staff or peers, ELM Award recipients have served Samaritan for at least one year and, like the strong and adaptable elm tree, demonstrate resilience, growth, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous learning. The ELM is a quarterly award.
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Pictured here is ELM awardee Andrea Roden, Samaritan Experience Manager.
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 serve the medical needs of our civilian and military communities. Quality, compassion and safety are the basic principles that guide the exceptional care delivered at Samaritan.
Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to contribute to Jefferson County’s 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and Community Services Plan (CSP). This effort reflects a shared, countywide commitment to improving health and advancing equity. These plans were developed through a strong partnership among Jefferson County Public Health Service, Carthage Area Hospital, River Hospital, and Samaritan Medical Center, with leadership and planning support from the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization. Community partners and local stakeholders played an important role in shaping priorities and will continue to be involved as the plans are implemented.
The Community Health Assessment identifies key health needs, gaps, and available resources using data and direct community input. The CHIP and CSP build on those findings by outlining practical, evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes and access to care. Together, these plans align with New York State’s 2025–2030 Prevention Agenda, which emphasizes prevention, health equity, and the social and economic factors that influence well-being.
For 2025–2030, Jefferson County will focus on priority areas including poverty, suicide prevention, tobacco and e-cigarette use, infant and maternal health, chronic disease prevention, oral healthcare, and health- and wellness-promoting schools. By working within a shared framework while addressing local needs, partners are taking coordinated action to strengthen community conditions and improve health and quality of life for all residents.
Samaritan Health is not responsible for content, privacy policy, accuracy or legality of any website assessed through a link on www.samaritanhealth.com. A link to another website does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee or approval by Samaritan Health of the linked website or the information, products or services contained therein
