Posts by Keara Connors

The Community Memorial (CMH) Center for Orthopedics is excited to add a physician assistant to the team of medical staff within the Center for Specialties.

Frank Barber, PA, joins Dr. Richelle Takemoto and Dr. Kamaljeet Banga, with a distinguished career in orthopedic patient care. After completing his Physician Assistant Studies at the Inter-service Physician Assistant Program with a Bachelor of Science degree, Barber earned his Master’s, both from the University of Nebraska. His clinical rotation was completed at the WINN Army Community Hospital in Fort Stewart, GA, and Barber holds a certification as an aeromedical physician assistant and, most honorably, an Iraqi war medal and bronze star from the United States Army.

“Frank Barber brings an extensive history of valuable experience to the Community Memorial network,” noted Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. “We’re thrilled to expand our care team with the addition of Frank, who will further enhance the superior orthopedic care patients have come to expect from our organization.”

A member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and trained in Tactical Combat medical care, Barber has 20 years of patient care experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As the first assistant in orthopedic surgeries, Barber has also worked with patients with spine and neurological conditions.

“Joining the CMH Center for Orthopedics is an exciting step for me, personally and professionally,” added Barber. “I look forward to engaging with my patients, offering as an extension of this fantastic team of providers, and building important relationships with my patients on trust and communication.”

The CMH network has dedicated considerable efforts to bolster its provider team and support staff with the increased need for specialty care locally. In addition to working alongside Dr. Takemoto and Dr. Banga, Barber joins Physician Assistants Frank Walzcak and Jackie Ireland in the Center for Orthopedics. Dr. Nicholas Qandah, Neurosurgeon of CNY Brain and Spine, also sees patients in Hamilton. The brand new Center for Specialties was opened in early 2024 and is located at 160 Broad Street in Hamilton, on the Hospital campus. With the Hospital directly adjacent, services are streamlined for patient efficiency across all offices, including ancillary services such as laboratory, radiology, rehabilitation and more. Patients looking to make an appointment with the Center for Orthopedics are encouraged to call 315.824.7040.

Community Memorial also offers primary care in six locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, Sherrill and Waterville) and warmly welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care. Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates as services continue to expand.

The Center for Orthopedics of Community Memorial (CMH) is excited to announce the addition of an Athletic Trainer Liaison within the healthcare network.

Cody Herbert, MS, ATC, a certified local athletic trainer, joins CMH in a concentrated effort to develop relationships with area secondary schools and universities.  With an extensive history of collaboration with sports medicine team members, Herbert has been in college athletics for more than 15 years after earning both his Bachelor’s (Athletic Training) and Master’s of Science (Human Performance) from Ithaca College.

Offering expertise in direct medical coverage of a variety of college sports throughout his career, previously with the renowned Colgate Athletics program, Herbert understands the array of care aspects involved with injured athletes, lending his knowledge to the collaboration needed when injury occurs.  Having a direct line to the Center for Orthopedics of Community Memorial, which features physicians Richelle Takemoto, MD, and Kamaljeet Banga, MD, along with multiple physician assistants, will enable local athletes to get immediate care.

“The addition of Cody as CMH’s Athletic Trainer Liaison will build relationships between regional sports programs and our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons,” stated Jeff Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial.  “Cody’s experience will assist athletes by providing streamlined orthopedic and sports medicine care in order to provide the best outcomes for athletes across the region.”

As a member of both the National and NYS Athletic Trainer Associations, Herbert is trained and board-certified.  In his new role, he will serve as a direct line to orthopedic care when sports injuries occur.  “I look forward to connecting with local school districts and colleges to build connections and community, which will allow for streamlined care for young athletes,” added Herbert.  “Improving outcomes and offering prompt care options will, in turn, reduce downtime for patients and offer reassurance to the parents and coaches.  After 12 years in Hamilton, I’m thrilled to continue to serve the community in a new fashion and be a part of CMH’s exciting vision and future.”

With the Hospital located in Hamilton, services are streamlined for patient efficiency across all primary care offices, including ancillary services such as laboratory, radiology, rehabilitation and more.  “Often, an athlete may experience a minor injury and after an orthopedic consultation, require physical therapy in order to return to normal activities,” added Herbert.  “Connecting patients to the Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics with outpatient rehabilitation offered right here will provide convenient recovery options.”

The Community Memorial (CMH) network continues to grow with the addition of a new nurse practitioner to the Center for Cardiology within the Hamilton Family Health Center.

Amanda Stewart, FNP-BC, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Utica College of Syracuse University before advancing to earn her Master’s in Science in Family Health from SUNY IT. She joins the Community Memorial Center for Cardiology with ten years’ experience in acute settings, providing comprehensive healthcare services and is skilled in patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. As the lead of a Hospitalist program in a large facility, Stewart brings leadership and extensive experience in clinical and inpatient care. Additionally, she has worked in both inpatient and outpatient cardiology with interventional and electrophysiology (EP) experience, focusing on structural heart. Her focus on structural heart care led her to help establish a structural heart program to elevate cardiovascular care. Stewart is passionate about a team-based approach to medicine, emphasizing communication, transparency, and accountability to optimize patient outcomes.

“We are excited to welcome Amanda Stewart to our medical staff,” noted Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. “Her knowledge and deep expertise in both the inpatient and outpatient settings will enhance the cardiac care provided within the CMH network and further elevate the reach that our cardiology team has with our community.”

A member of the Society of Hospital Medicine, Stewart is also certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, along with both Advanced Coronary and Pediatric Life Support certifications. Stewart will be joining fellow nurse practitioners Shelby Sharp and Sherri Loucks on the CMH Cardiology team, led by esteemed Dr. Avneet Singh.

“Joining the Community Memorial network is an exciting transitional step in my career,” added Stewart. “I’m looking forward to the collaborative care that I can provide with my peers while bringing my skills in cardiac care to patients.”

With continued recognition of the important need for primary care and the challenges faced with access to care in rural areas, CMH has dedicated considerable efforts to bolster its provider team and support staff. This activity around preventative care has supported the network in several areas of growth, including primary and specialty care.

With the Hospital located in Hamilton, services are streamlined for patient efficiency across all primary care offices, including ancillary services such as laboratory, radiology, rehabilitation and more. Patients looking to make an appointment with any office are encouraged to call the CMH Referral Line at 315.824.6620.

Community Memorial also offers primary care in six locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, Sherrill and Waterville) and warmly welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care. Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates as services continue to expand.

The Community Memorial Hospital is excited to enter the second phase of its $31.5 million Transformation Project of its facility that will expand and renovate patient care spaces.  The USDA guaranteed the loan necessary to complete construction last week following delays created by increases in construction costs.

“On behalf of all of us at Community Memorial, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Senator Schumer for leading our Congressional Delegation in advocating to make this nearly $20 million USDA loan guarantee possible.  We are incredibly excited to restart our facility renewal project, especially after increased labor and supply costs during the pandemic significantly delayed the financial approvals for Phase II,” said Community Memorial Hospital President and CEO Jeff Coakley.  “Thanks to Senator Schumer and our federal representatives, Community Memorial can now make good on our promise to expand and revitalize our facility and equipment, safeguarding patient care and over 400 jobs for many years to come.”

Through collaboration with the Senator and his staff, the health system was able to gain the support of the USDA to guarantee the nearly $20 million loan required to complete the project.

“This nearly $20 million federal investment is a major shot-in-the-arm for Madison County and Community Memorial Hospital. This will help kick-start the next phase of the hospital’s transformation, expanding to help get our rural communities the healthcare they need with new, top-of-the-line equipment and facilities,” said Senator Schumer. “With this federal support, Community Memorial will continue to build on their recent expansion of services and add new state-of-the-art equipment, positioning the Hospital to meet the changing needs of rural patients. I am proud to deliver this funding to CMH and will never stop fighting to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for all Central New Yorkers.”

The $31.5 million Transformation Project will provide the largest renovation of the facility in more than 70 years.  The first phase, completed in December of 2021, updated the Inpatient wing and the Emergency Department.  Phase II will focus on the center of the Hospital, with renovations being made to the Radiology Department, Laboratory, Rehabilitation Center and the Main Entrance.

Phase I was completed just in time to meet the needs of our community during the height of a regional COVID spike.  Community Memorial has seen 17% growth in the Emergency Department since pre-pandemic, highlighting the importance of the organization.  Now, Phase II aims to bring ancillary services to the forefront, updating space and equipment.

The new Radiology Department will be centralized inside the Hospital, mobilizing all modalities to meet the needs of our patients and allow staff to respond to urgent patient needs.  CMH will also update its aged equipment with state-of-the-art medical imaging devices, including a CT scanner, MRI Machine and digital mammography.

The Laboratory Department will have expanded waiting space for patients with updated draw rooms, improving the patient experience.  Staff will also have improved workflow and efficiencies with the expanded space.

The updated Center for Rehabilitation at CMH, which includes physical, occupational and speech therapies, will also be expanded, offering a new and modern location for patient care.  The Laboratory Department renovation will include ADA-compliant draw spaces and expanded waiting space.

The fourth component of Phase II will feature a new main entrance for patients, families and visitors to access the Hospital and ensure enhanced patient safeguards.  The new main entrance will also feature a larger waiting space with modern and comfortable amenities and a cohesive exterior to the new Emergency Department entrance.

Community Memorial and construction management group, The Hayner Hoyt Corp., anticipate the completion of the project at the end of 2025.  While construction is in process, the organization will work vigorously to ensure patient care is not reduced or impacted, and it looks forward to welcoming those needing care into all locations and services.

Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates on CMH services, the medical team and the Transformation Project, along with the Foundation of CMH page, which features progress, photos and more information on how the community and patients may participate in the largest project since the inception of Community Memorial in 1952.

The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network recently recognized the beloved Dr. Robert Delorme as he retired from the organization in April after 45 years of dedicated patient care.

Dr. Delorme came to Community Memorial in 1978 and has served the community and hospital network in many capacities, including Vice President of Medical Affairs, President of the Medical Staff, Vice President of the Medical Staff, Secretary/Treasurer of the Medical Staff, Chief of Family Practice, Medical Director of the Family Health Centers, and Vice President of Primary Care Services. He also assisted with the Hospitalist program in 2007, providing inpatient medicine.

Board certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Dr. Delorme completed medical school at McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal, Canada and his residency at McMaster University Faculty of Health Medicine in Hamilton, Canada. Delorme specialized in family medicine and geriatrics and was the primary care physician of the Waterville Family Health Center when it opened its doors for patient care in 1995.

From delivering babies to caring for the most elderly patients of CMH, Dr. Delorme has seen it all in his 45 years as a physician. He won the Dr. Gary Ogden Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award in 2018, which is awarded to a direct service provider who has demonstrated leadership in bringing health services to citizens of rural New York.

In 2019, Delorme transitioned to a mentorship role, overseeing the primary care nurse practitioners of the CMH Family Health Centers, and offered support in building a platform to create clinical pathways for patient care. Remaining an integral part of the healthcare team, Dr. Delorme utilized his years of clinical knowledge, offering guidance to the new providers.

“Bob Delorme has offered the entire staff of Community Memorial more than just his medical expertise over his decades of work here,” commented Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “His contributions to patient care are unparalleled; he also offered leadership, compassion, and genuine friendship to all those who worked with him. Our team and community are so fortunate to have had his guidance and support for 45 years.”

With a philosophy of care centering on the patient’s trust in his care, Dr. Delorme looks forward to retirement but will miss the interaction with his longtime patients and colleagues. “It has been an honor to care for so many over my time as a primary care doctor, and I know that the CMH organization will continue to lead patients on their best preventative care journey,” remarked Dr. Delorme. “To the patients I’ve cared for, some for many years, it has been my privilege to be your doctor.”

A retirement celebration event was held in Dr. Delorme’s honor, with kind stories and fun reminders of experiences over the years, and a small token of the organization’s appreciation was presented to Dr. Delorme; an inscribed plaque, noting the 45 years of dedication to Community Memorial and local healthcare services to patients. “On behalf of the Medical Staff of Community Memorial, both past and present, we wish Dr. Delorme the best in his retirement and all his future endeavors,” added Dr. Sunny Nelson, Medical Staff President. “His years of hard work have left an everlasting impression on the care we look to continue in honor of his legacy.”

To learn more about any of the Community Memorial services provided, including primary care in multiple convenient locations, please visit www.communitymemorial.org.

The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network continues to meet the growing demand for specialty patient care with the addition of a new physician assistant to the orthopedics team.

Jackie Ireland, PA-C, will work alongside Dr. Kamaljeet Banga in both the outpatient and operating room settings. Ireland joins the CMH team with over a decade of experience, with specialized support in orthopedic spine surgery, holds certifications with the National Commission on Certifications of Physician Assistants, and is professionally affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the NYS Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA).

Graduating from Le Moyne College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and also a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Ireland has worked in Central New York in a busy orthopedics and spine surgery setting. This experience has lent her the skills, knowledge, and compassion to become a skilled physician assistant and now a member of the Center for Orthopedics at Community Memorial.

With a philosophy of care centering on the patient as a whole person, Ireland remarks, “I chose to join the Community Memorial network because of the close feel of the hospital and orthopedics group. I look forward to providing collaborative care with a practice that offers a variety of sub-specialties and superior orthopedic care.”

Ireland comes to the CMH family as a new location for the orthopedic practice that was just opened. Situated on the hospital campus as the new Center for Specialty Services building at 160 Broad Street, the Center for Orthopedic Services moved here in early 2024 to fit the need for expanded patient care space along with a growing team of providers.

Recognizing the important need for local orthopedic care, CMH has dedicated considerable efforts to bolster its provider team and support staff. This concerted activity has led to an increase in volumes, necessitating the expansion of the clinical facility. The Center for Orthopedic Services showcases the expertise of the growing orthopedics team.

“Our medical staff welcomes Jackie Ireland as an esteemed member of our team, bringing expertise and a passion for orthopedic care,” states Michael Walsh, DO, Chief Medical Officer. “She provides a great skill set in education and knowledge with the goal of collaborative community-based care.”

With the Hospital located next door to the orthopedic practice, services are streamlined for patient efficiency. The Center for Orthopedics also offers a walk-in clinic open Monday through Friday, 8am – 1pm, and grants quick appointments following an Emergency Department visit. Patients and providers looking to make an appointment with the Center for Orthopedics at Community Memorial are encouraged to call 315.824.7040.

To learn more about any of the Community Memorial and Hamilton Medical Services, PLLC, visit www.communitymemorial.org.

As 2023 is bid farewell and the new year is welcomed in, the Community Memorial (CMH) healthcare network takes stock of a year marked by remarkable progress, celebrating significant advancements in both patient care and the addition of new medical staff.

Responding to the growing demand for specialized care within the community, the organization welcomed three new practitioners to its expanding orthopedic practice. Dr. Richelle Takemoto joined the team in March 2023, followed by Dr. Kamaljeet Banga and Physician Assistant Frank Walczak in the last quarter of the year. With the new team, CMH required additional patient care space to accommodate the growing practice.  With this, a state-of-the-art orthopedic practice is slated to open on the hospital campus in the former Mid-York Building, which is scheduled for early 2024. This facility will also host visiting specialists, including Dr. Nicholas Qandah, who specializes in neurosurgery, as the Community Memorial Leadership Team actively recruits other essential providers to meet the diverse needs of patients.

In addition, the Cardiology Department at the Hamilton Family Health Center welcomed Nurse Practitioner Sherri Loucks to join Dr. Avneet Singh and Nurse Practitioner Shelby Sharp in response to the increasing demand for cardiac care. General Surgeon Dr. Gregory Ripich expanded services at both the Hamilton and Cazenovia Family Health Centers, introducing a new vein ablation procedure. Dr. Ripich continues to be a valuable asset to the CMH medical staff, streamlining local patient care.

Community Memorial’s primary care division was thrilled to announce the addition of Nurse Practitioner Kelly North and Doctor of Nursing Practice Michele Brennan-Vuocolo to the medical staff, both now caring for patients at the Morrisville Family Health Center. North also became an integral part of the Urgent Care team in Hamilton during the latter half of the year. Additionally, Dr. Isiah Hammonds, who is experienced in internal medicine, is set to join the primary care team in early 2024, adding valuable expertise to the organization.

Finally, the Emergency Department of Community Memorial witnessed record patient visit volumes, continuing a trend since the opening of the new and expanded space in December 2021. With additional treatment space and reduced wait times compared to other regional hospitals, the ER serves patients 24/7, offering a seamless transition for those requiring admission to the hospital or transfer to a tertiary facility for higher acuity care.

“In looking back at 2023, every provider and staff member should take immense pride in the strides we have taken as a team,” remarked Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “Amidst change and expansion lies remarkable opportunity, and our dedicated medical team has risen to the occasion, diligently working towards our shared mission of delivering top-notch care to every patient. As we embrace the promise of 2024, our leadership team is taking our momentum into the development of even more services to bring care to patients in Hamilton and surrounding communities.”

For more information about the new medical staff providers, primary care, specialty services, and more, please visit www.communitymemorial.org. Community Memorial offers primary care in five locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville) and welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care.  Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the most updated information as services continue to expand.

The 66^th Holiday Sale hosted by the Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) Auxiliary was held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, and yielded immense success in support of the Hospital and its five Family Health Centers.

When doors opened at 9:30am at the First Baptist Church in Hamilton, shoppers flooded in to find an exciting array of holiday items, handmade crafts, raffle baskets and baked goods, all for sale to benefit the overall patient care and experience provided at CMH.

More than 30 Auxiliary volunteers started preparing for the sale in the spring, selling raffle tickets for a handmade quilt at the Hamilton Farmer’s Market, crafting handmade items, and securing vendors for the big day.

This year was one of the most profitable sales, raising more than $10,000 in support of CMH’s needs.  Past funds raised have offset the costs of equipment upgrades, new technology and programmatic purposes supporting employee education and training.

Auxiliary President Gloria Gaudreau noted sincere appreciation to all who participated.  “From the generous hospital employees that donate baskets to raffle to the volunteers making items, to every shopper that visited our sale, thank you!”

The CMH Auxiliary has supported the organization since its inception in 1952, with contributions providing a variety of needs.  In recent years, donations have funded the purchase of furniture for medical offices, updated televisions for patients, telemetry equipment for patient care, and a humidity alarm for the operating room.  “All funds raised by the Auxiliary go back to supporting direct patient care at Community Memorial,” added Jeff Coakley, President and CEO.  “The impact our volunteers have is immeasurable, and we thank each one of them for their contributions.”

Always actively recruiting and welcoming new members, the Auxiliary meets bi-monthly in Hamilton and participates in a few different annual fundraisers in support of the organization.  To learn more about joining the Auxiliary or other ways to support the services of Community Memorial, please email foundation@cmhhamilton.com.

For more information about any medical staff providers, primary care, specialty services, and more, please visit www.communitymemorial.org.  Community Memorial offers primary care in five locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville) and welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care.

Community Memorial is pleased to announce the addition of Family Nurse Practitioner Michele Brennan-Vuocolo to meet the increasing demand for primary care services.  The organization remains committed to enhancing access to healthcare for the community.

Michele Brennan-Vuocolo, DNP, FNP-BC, a seasoned healthcare professional with a remarkable 35-year career in licensed professional nursing in New York State, is set to extend her commitment to patient care at Community Memorial’s Family Health Center in Morrisville.  As a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with a wealth of experience across various healthcare settings, Michelle is well-positioned to offer comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages.

Brennan-Vuocolo’s journey in nursing includes 11 years of dedicated service as a staff RN, charge nurse, and preceptor in diverse units, including med-surgical, intensive care, PACU, and emergency care within hospitals in the Central New York region.  Her extensive clinical background laid the foundation for her subsequent career as a Family Nurse Practitioner.  Brennan-Vuocolo received her Master’s degree in Family Health and Family Nurse Practitioner in 1995.  She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2020, both degrees from Binghamton University.

Since the onset of her career, Brennan-Vuocolo has been a beacon of healthcare excellence, providing primary care services in private practice, as a hospitalist, and within nationally prestigious healthcare systems such as Mayo Health System and Dartmouth-Hitchcock.  Her specialization in adult/geriatric internal medicine, particularly in cardiology and internal medicine, has earned her recognition and respect in the medical community.  Her practice has spanned various geographic locations, including Rome and Utica, NY, as well as Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.  These diverse experiences have honed her ability to thrive in both autonomous and collaborative healthcare environments.

In addition to her clinical roles, Michele has made significant contributions as a Nurse Educator in service organizations and academic institutions.  Her multifaceted role includes providing interdisciplinary staff development, implementing professional practice models, and serving as faculty in license-qualifying nursing education programs.  Michele’s commitment to education is further evident in her role as a preceptor/mentor to BSN and graduate nursing students, family nurse practitioner certificate students, and novice nursing faculty.

Michele Brennan-Vuocolo is affiliated with esteemed professional organizations, including the Nurse Practitioner Association, American Nurse Practitioner Association, and Sigma Theta Tau, reflecting her commitment to the highest standards of nursing practice.

With her extensive background and commitment to patient care, Michele Brennan-Vuocolo, DNP, FNP-BC, is poised to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Morrisville community.  Patients can expect compassionate, evidence-based care from a healthcare provider with a proven track record of excellence.

“Primary care is essential for our rural area, and Community Memorial recognizes this,” said Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer of Community Memorial.  “Welcoming Michele is a testament to our unwavering dedication to fulfilling the needs of our patients and the community we serve.”

For further information or to schedule an appointment with either Michele Brennan-Vuocolo in our Morrisville Family Health Center, please contact the office at 315-684-3117 or visit us at www.communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/.