Tag: Samaritan Medical Center

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Samaritan Offers Carpal Tunnel Open House

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 the University of California Davis Medical Center and is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery with Subspecialty Board Certification in Hand Surgery. He joined the Samaritan team earlier this year. 

“We are here to serve the community,” said Dr. Zafonte. “We have a lot of resources available for our patients.”

Community education and engagement are important to the doctor. His goal is to provide potential patients with a good understanding of how minimally invasive endoscopic surgery with Samaritan can provide relief.

The event will occur at the Rotunda, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, between the Keep Home and Medical Center, 8-11 a.m. RSVP is appreciated for attendance. The reservation form is available online at https://samaritanhealth.com/upcoming-event/carpal-tunnel-open-house/. Masks are required at the event.  

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Samaritan Celebrates Employees at Annual Service Awards Banquet

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 which all caregivers across Samaritan Health are recognized.

“It takes a special person to go into healthcare. Someone who is caring and willing to give of themselves.  We are honored to celebrate our Samaritan Caregivers who have dedicated their careers to Samaritan, our patients/residents, and their team members,” said Thomas H. Carman, President and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center.  “We cannot thank them enough for their loyalty and dedication. While these last two years through the pandemic have been challenging, all Samaritan Caregivers have been caring, committed, and courageous.” 

Recognized for 45 years with Samaritan was Debra Lashway (not photographed at the event).

For 40 years were Kelly R. Scee, Gale Y. Freeman, Diane L. Tibbles, Margaret (Peggy) Macaulay, and Mary K. Gregory. Debra Farmer was recognized but didn’t attend the dinner.

For 35 years were Kelly S. Burnash, Randal K. Halaburka, James P. King, Anthony J. Marra, Lisa L. Pittman, Lori A. Plantz, and Debra A. Sumell.

Pictured here are Lisa L. Pittman and Anthony J. Marra

30 years celebrated were Tina Marie Ackerman, Robert C. Ackley Jr., Evelyn R. Aviste, Kelly Reese Barker, Diane A. Chisamore, Amy E. Collins, Mary E. Gregory, Jennifer J. Haley, Jody L. Hewitt, Kimberly A. Jackson, Bonnie Louise Labarge, Stacey Michelle Mack, Debra Marino, Beverly M. Monica, Sandra Lee Netto, and Nicole R. Simmons.

Pictured here are Evelyn Aviste, Bonnie LaBarge, and Debra Marino

At 25 years the following caregivers were recognized: Sharon L. Sourwine,  Ruth H. Powell, Jennifer E. Lundy-Kalin, Pamela J. Childers, Jean R. Kress, Cherene L. DeRosia, and Paul E. Gillette (in the picture); and Dawn Bastien, Monica J. Campbell, Brianne Nicole Castro, Keitha R. Dupee, Patti Ann Freeman, Cynthia E. Hall, Debra S. Hamilton, Leisa F. Hamm, Tammie Hulbert, Christopher Martin Lavin, Randy J. Marino, Marco Schmidt, Betty Shelmidine, John Stano, Anne M. Tyler, Julie A. Verne, and Danny W. Vincent.

For 20 years the following caregivers were recognized: Norravith “Ae” Mathison, Garett Joseph Hayes, Catherine A. Ford, Terrance L. Cavanaugh, Kelly R. Brasel, Tonya R. Covington, Sandra L. Veley, Rose Busler, Lorraine E. Hoffman, and Crystal L. DeWitt (in the picture). Also were recognized but not in attendance: Mark K. Cloonan, Gail Francine Dennie, Raiona Rae Fleming, Todd H. Fuller, Jody Renee Hanson, Norma Jean Hunter, Scott J. Jacobs, Carolyn Orton, Shelia Sheehan, Karen Elizabeth Stewart, Patricia A. Thomas, Laurie Jo Wayte, and Kristin Elizabeth A. Worden.

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Hospice of Jefferson County Announces STAR Center Transition and Relocation to Samaritan Medical Center at the Walker Center for Cancer Care Facility

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 the operation of Samaritan Medical Center. Hospice of Jefferson County has operated this service since 2019. Due to changes in physician referral patterns, Hospice leadership has determined Samaritan should maintain this service in our community. The STAR Center treats patients needing palliative care management for many different diagnoses, including cancer. Samaritan’s decision to relocate the clinic to the Walker Center for Cancer Care does not mean that only individuals with cancer will be seen. The clinic will provide palliative care to all patients with serious illnesses who need symptom management and social support assistance. Please contact the STAR Center at 315-755-6086 for any questions regarding your care.

“Developing this palliative care outpatient clinic has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. We appreciate the referrals and confidence the community has given our clinic over the past three years,” said Diana Woodhouse, CEO of Hospice of Jefferson County. “We are confident that Samaritan Medical Center has the resources to continue developing this program and are pleased that palliative care will remain available to our community.”

“Samaritan was proud to financially support Hospice three years ago to launch this service for the community. Today, we are pleased to be in a position to maintain and further develop palliative care in our community,” stated Tom Carman, President, and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center. “Providing quality healthcare is part of our mission, and this includes quality of life, which is a major benefit of palliative care and something every patient deserves.”

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Hospice of Jefferson County and its Hospice and Foundation Boards for their visionary support of the STAR Center serving the North Country Community,” said Kathy Matas, Ph.D. ANP. “Palliative Care is a medical specialty serving all those with serious, progressive, and potentially life-limiting illnesses that focuses on symptom management, quality of life, and care goals. It is a person and family-centered with a whole-person approach that includes support for both patient and family. It is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of a disease. Palliative Care requires a referral and is covered by your insurance, as any medical specialty is. I look forward to continuing to provide this valued specialty within the Samaritan Medical Center’s community-based care.”

Beginning July 1, 2022, Samaritan Medical Center will assume complete operations for this palliative care program and help it remain in our community. New patients are being accepted with a referral and can call 315-785-4673 to make an appointment. The clinic will be located at the Walker Center for Cancer Care in the interim.

For more information, please contact Erin Boshart at STAR Center for Symptom, Treatment, and Relief: (315) 755-6086

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NA Training Program Graduates its first class of 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.

The NA training program was designed to help people who wish to join the healthcare workforce to start their careers. During the program, students have a once-a-week classroom session and two days in which they get to experience on the floors by shadowing and following the regular hospital care routine.

Nine out of the ten graduates were at the event

Jennifer Lewis (photo: center bottom row), RN, BSN, is the Nurse responsible for the program. She explains that this is a good opportunity for those looking into Nursing careers to get a real feel for what working with patients is like and to get comfortable with the roles required by the profession.

To join the program, candidates must have completed High School. “And also have a caring spirit, and the eagerness to make a difference,” added Becky Randall, Nurse Manager at SMC.

Hanna Hoffman

Hanna Hoffman graduated in the class. She is a JCC student and felt like the program not only would give her the experience to start her career but also get her “foot at the door” as a future caregiver at Samaritan.

Rodney Dobson, another graduate, works as a Unit Clerk for ICU and PCU at Samaritan. Dobson plans on going to nursing school and saw an opportunity in the NA training program to feel what it’s like to deal with patients. “Now, I know I’m on the right path,” he said.

Rodney Dobson

Students also received a visit from some of Samaritan’s officers during the graduation. Tom Carman, the organization’s CEO, congratulated the class and mentioned some of their accomplishments. In addition, Jacqueline Dawe, VP of Patient Care Services, took the occasion to thank the class for their efforts and for “choosing” Samaritan. 

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