Samaritan Medical Center Archives

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026

Samaritan Medical Center awarded Primary Stroke Center Certification from The Joint Commission

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center has once again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification.

Samaritan Medical Center underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on March 13, 2026. During the visit, a Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering clinical care. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

This certification was initially obtained in 2020 and is re-certified every two years. Since the last recertification in early 2024, Samaritan Medical Center treated 245 stroke patients that year and 151 in 2025.

“Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend Samaritan Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”

“We congratulate Samaritan Medical Center for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, chief executive officer, the American Stroke Association. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.”

“Maintaining our stroke certification reflects the dedication of our entire care team and our commitment to providing timely, high-quality stroke care,” says Dr. Mario Victoria, MD, chief medical officer, Samaritan Medical Center. “This recertification recognizes the work we do every day to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment close to home.”

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

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June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

April 2026 DAISY® and BEE Award Recipients

graphic showing winners of the April 2026 DAISY and BEE Awards

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for April 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.

Deserie Van Note, a Registered Nurse from the Float Pool at Samaritan Medical Center, was honored with the April DAISY Award. Nominated by a recent patient, Van Note was championed for her caring nature, quick response, and kind attention given during a difficult and painful time; helping the patient feel comfortable and more at ease when things were uncertain.

The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Van Note 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.

Elizabeth Deren, Nursing Assistant, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, received the April BEE Award. Noted as a teammate every unit hopes for, Deren was nominated by a coworker for her ability to always think ahead, her dependability, and taking the time to prepare and organize before patients arrive.

“Whether it’s quickly setting up for an unexpected procedure such as a blood patch or epidural, she responds immediately and with confidence,” Deren’s coworker said in her nomination. “Elizabeth is someone our anesthesia providers seek out by name because they trust her knowledge and efficiency when something is needed. That kind of trust is earned, and she demonstrates it consistently each day through her actions.”

Deren 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 above are Samaritan’s April 2026 DAISY Award recipient Deserie Van Note, RN, and April 2026 BEE Award recipient Elizabeth Deren, NA, PACU.

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.

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Kinney Drugs Raises $62,859 for Children’s Miracle Network of Northern New York

photo of Kinney Drugs employees supporting Children's Miracle Network

Watertown, NY – Kinney Drugs has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) since 1992, raising funds through their annual in-store campaign to support local children’s hospitals across the region. Thanks to the generosity of customers in their local communities, 17 Kinney Drugs locations in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties raised an incredible $62,859 for CMN at Samaritan.

These funds were donated at the register and collected through creative fundraising events, including trivia nights, bake sales, raffles and contests. With the support of the Kinney Drugs Foundation, locations were offered special incentives to reach ambitious fundraising goals. The campaign total increased 16% from 2025 to raise more than $230,000 for six CMN hospitals.

Samaritan Medical Center is one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across North America, raising and allocating funds to improve the health and well-being of children in our local community. Every donation stays local to support child-centered areas of Samaritan and provide financial assistance to families in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties with a child facing a health crisis.

“Year after year, Kinney Drugs demonstrates their dedication to improving kids’ health in local communities,” said Angie VanWormer, Director of Children’s Miracle Network at Samaritan Medical Center. “With their support, we are able to help even more children and families when they need it most.”

Through their partnership with CMN, Kinney Drugs and the Kinney Drugs Foundation are helping to make big change for all kids.

For more information on Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals contact Samaritan Medical Center at 315-785-4053 or [email protected].

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June 1, 2026May 29, 2026

Applications Open for Nurse Practitioner Scholarships

Watertown, NY — Applications for the eighth annual Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship are being accepted now through July 15, 2026.

Susan Peters, a retired nurse from Samaritan Medical Center established a scholarship through the Samaritan Medical Center Foundation for Registered Nurses (RNs) looking to advance their careers as Nurse Practitioners (NPs). Sadly, Peters passed away in 2020, yet this scholarship remains part of her legacy and commitment to healthcare in the community.

The Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship was established in 2018 to assist with the educational costs for an RN continuing their education, specifically to pursue a Nurse Practitioner degree. Two scholarships of $2,000 are awarded each year.

Peters graduated from the former House of the Good Samaritan School of Nursing and retired from Samaritan Medical Center as a Certified Oncology Nurse. Prior to that, she served as a staff RN and for more than 20 years as a Nurse Manager of Medical/Surgical, Orthopedic, and alternate level of care units.

Beth Fipps, Vice President of Samaritan Foundation and Community Services, explained, “We are so grateful to Susan for leaving a legacy to a profession she was so committed to. Susan so generously established this scholarship to promote the Nurse Practitioner profession because she felt there is an increasing need for such a role due to the nationwide shortage of healthcare providers.”

Nurse Practitioners provide vital care to patients, including developing treatment plans for their patients, ordering tests, performing minor procedures, and prescribing medication.

The 2025 scholarships awardees were Olivia Marra and Courtney Sartwell. Oliva Marra, an RN in Samaritan’s Interventional Radiology, Progressive Care Unit (PCU), and Infusion Departments, is pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. Courtney Sartwell, also an RN at Samaritan in the PCU, is continuing her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Again, the application period for the Susan Peters Nursing Scholarship is June 1 – July 15, 2026, with the scholarship award announcement scheduled for August 2026.

To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Be an RN with a minimum of two full years’ working experience. RNs currently working for Samaritan Medical Center preferred, but not mandatory.
Medical/Surgical experience preferred but not necessary.
Must be a resident of either Jefferson or Lewis counties in New York.
Eligible to apply after successful completion of the first semester in a Nurse Practitioner program with at least a B average.

As part of the application, RNs must describe why they are pursuing their Nurse Practitioner degree and where, as well as whether they have a financial need. Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation and the two most recent transcripts along with the application to support the RNs pursuit of a Nurse Practitioner degree.

For more information or to obtain a scholarship application, please visit www.samaritanhealth.com/scholarshipapplication, contact the SMC Foundation at 315-785-5785, or visit www.samaritanhealth.com/scholarships. The application can be completed online, emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Samaritan Foundation, Attn: Beth Fipps, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

Samaritan Medical Center Foundation Announces the 29th Annual Thousand Islands Golf Classic

Graphic showing an array of auction items up for bid during the Thousand Islands Golf Classic

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York will host the 29th annual Thousand Islands Golf Classic event on Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, 2026.

Join us on Thursday, June 4, at the stunning Edgewood Resort for an evening featuring dinner, music, and an exciting live auction. Then, on Friday, June 5, golfers will enjoy 18 holes at the beautiful Thousand Islands Country Club, with play taking place on both the Old Course and Lake Course. You do not need to be a golfer to attend the Thursday evening dinner. RSVP is required for both events.

This year’s online auction will open on May 18 and close on Thursday, June 4, at 9 p.m., with an in-person live auction taking place during the dinner that evening. Both auctions feature an incredible variety of items, including event tickets, vacation rentals, dining and experience gift cards, and much more. No matter your interests, there is something for everyone.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Thousand Islands Golf Classic will support the construction of a new cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) at the hospital — an urgently needed resource for the North Country. This state-of-the-art facility will enable Samaritan to provide life-saving cardiac interventions right here in Watertown. The new cath lab will include percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capabilities, allowing for rapid, effective treatment of heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular conditions.

Currently, patients must travel outside the region to access these critical services, causing delays that can negatively affect outcomes. By bringing this advanced level of care closer to home, the cath lab will improve survival rates, reduce long-term complications, and strengthen cardiac care throughout our community. This transformative project will save lives, lower healthcare costs, and benefit local families for generations to come. Your continued support is essential in helping us provide these vital services and ensure access to quality healthcare close to home.

Visit samaritanhealth.com/golf to register for online auction bidding and to purchase tickets for the dinner and live auction.

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May 19, 2026May 21, 2026

2026 Public Health Service Awards of Distinction

Watertown, NY – The Jefferson County Public Health Service (JCPHS) has established public health excellence awards to honor employees and community partners for outstanding service in the advancement and improvement of public health. The awards are given annually, and the ceremony for this year’s recipients took place Thursday, May 14 at the Jefferson County Public Health Service facility, 531 Meade St.

In addition to the honorees receiving such well-deserved recognition, the awards are named for the past two directors of public health, Jean A. Bilow and Ginger B. Hall, as well as Retired U.S. Army Reserve Major General Robert J. Kasulke, MD, Jefferson County’s long-serving medical director, who passed away in late 2023.

Employees nominated colleagues and partners over the winter, and the department’s administrative team selected the following 2026 award winners:

Lisa N. Lagos, JCPHS Public Health Educator
Recipient of the 2026 Jean A. Bilow Award for Public Health Excellence

Laurie L. Woodward, Public Health Nurse, JCPHS Preventive Services Unit
Recipient of the 2026 Ginger B. Hall Award for Public Health Clinical Excellence

Amanda L. Rosen, Doctor of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner, Samaritan Family Health Network
Recipient of the 2026 Robert J. Kasulke, MD, Award for Public Health Community Partnership

The award for public health professional excellence is named for Jean A. Bilow, the first and longest-served Jefferson County Director of Public Health. Much of the department’s current structure and programming was either put in place or greatly expanded under Jean’s leadership. While programs have certainly evolved since her retirement, Jean had a vision that expanded public health’s impact into the broader health care system and improved population health. The Medical Examiner, Emergency Medical Services, and health promotion programs all happened under Jean’s leadership. Jean also led the department’s responses to a significant meningococcal outbreak, novel H1N1 influenza, pertussis, and other communicable disease responses. Jean’s tenure saw the development of public health preparedness and response, which was put in place following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The award for public health clinical excellence is named for Ginger B. Hall, the second Jefferson County Director of Public Health. Before Ginger became the department head, and during her time as Director, her tenure greatly advanced clinical care, quality assurance, and quality improvement standards in the home and clinic settings. Ginger also ably led the department’s response through the COVID-19 pandemic, and she worked tirelessly to procure funding to establish the first community paramedicine program pilot in New York State, which is measurably and significantly reducing costly emergency department visits and hospital inpatient admissions in Jefferson County.

The award for public health community partnership is named for Robert J. Kasulke, MD, who served as Medical Director and Assistant Medical Examiner for Jefferson County over approximately three decades. Dr. Kasulke sadly passed away in November 2023. A hallmark of Dr. Kasulke’s career was service to the community and to the country. In addition to his work for the department: he was medical director for Hospice of Jefferson County for many years; he served as a physician for the Gouverneur Correctional Facility; he was a Major General in the U.S. Army Reserves; and he was actively committed to honoring veterans through honors programs for veterans that became patients of Hospice and Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., which support aging veterans in visiting national war memorials. Dr. Kasulke served his community tirelessly, through active membership on many community agency boards of directors, and he measurably advanced public health in Jefferson County.

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May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

March 2026 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

Graphic of DAISY and BEE Winners Jody Waugh and Karen Von Arx

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to announce its DAISY and BEE Award recipients for March 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.

Jody Waugh, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at Samaritan’s Family Health Center at the Health and Wellness Plaza in Watertown, was honored with the March DAISY Award. Nominated by a doctor, Waugh was celebrated for her preparedness, attention to detail, eagerness to help her fellow caregivers and the patients, and ability to stay engaged during demanding situations.

The DAISY Award is an international award, backed by The DAISY Foundation. As a DAISY Award honoree, Waugh 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.

Karen Von Arx, Health Information Management (HIM) Systems Analyst at Samaritan Medical Center received the March BEE Award. Von Arx was nominated by an operations manager for her dedicated work to improving processes after an internal policy change regarding documentation. She provided significant communication and leadership which enhanced the overall experience.

Von Arx received a certificate, a BEE Award pin, and a gift bag with tokens of appreciation.

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Pictured here are Samaritan’s March 2026 DAISY Award recipient, Jody Waugh, LPN (left), and March 2026 BEE Award recipient, Karen Von Arx, HIM Systems Analyst (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.

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

Samaritan Medical Center to Host World Liver Day Educational Event

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.

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April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

February 2026 DAISY®, and BEE Award Recipients

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.

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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

About The DAISY Foundation

March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

Patient Billing Update

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.

Learn More About Samaritan Financial Information

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