Posts by Keara Connors
Nurse Practitioners Deliver Exceptional Care at Community Memorial
With healthcare at the forefront, patients are engaging more than ever with their primary care providers, and the Family Health Centers of Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) are seeing an influx of outpatient visits.
To both accommodate the volume of patients needing routine well-checks and physicals and also sick visits, nurse practitioners (NPs) have become increasingly common as primary care providers in many settings. Several factors have attributed to this, as many registered nurses further their education and careers by advancing to the next level as a nurse practitioner. “Working under the supervision of a physician, there are many benefits of seeing an NP for primary care needs,” states Dr. Robert Delorme, Chief of Family Medicine at CMH. “There is a common misconception that an NP could provide a lower level of care, however, in my experience, NPs are really the backbone of the primary care system and have a heightened sense of compassion and skill.”
Working as an NP in the primary care field for ten years, Cindy Marshall knows the career development aspect personally and the reason behind her work. “I started as an LPN and went back to school to complete the Nurse Practitioner program. Now, working in family medicine as a provider, I love the opportunity to help patients in multiple areas of their health,” states Marshall. “Emotionally, mentally and physically – all important ways we care for patients, especially in our rural setting. The personal relationship with my patients is what drives the improved care provided.”
Physicians overseeing NPS provide a collaborative environment for patient care and additional attention to detail for more complex cases. There is a seamless methodology that enhances the care patients receive. “Nurse practitioners are as capable as physicians, especially for the more common diagnoses, and because they’ve been in the medical field for so long as registered nurses they bring such a vast strength in more than just clinical care,” adds Dr. Delorme. “I’ve been a family medicine doctor for more than 40 years, I’ve personally worked with and supervised outstanding NPs. I feel the patient care and satisfaction provided by them is incredible.”
Gwen Manley adds why becoming a Nurse Practitioner was about more for her than just a career move. “I wanted to care for patients in an impactful way, improving their health but also their lives,” states Manley. “NPs provide individualized, all-encompassing care to all ages and populations.”
To learn more about the expansive primary care services offered at Community Memorial or to inquire about an appointment with a provider, call 315.824.4600 or visit https://communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/.
COMMUNITY MEMORIAL RATED 5 STARS IN PATIENT SATISFACTION
[Hamilton, NY] Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) was rated five stars in patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) for 2020.
The Becker’s Hospital Review released their annual list of the hospitals across the country that were rated four or five stars in patient satisfaction for 2020. Community Memorial is the only hospital in New York State to receive a rating above four stars; rated five stars. Becker’s Hospital Review uses the data collected by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers (HCAHPS) and CMS System scores to compile this list.
The HCAHPS survey measures patients’ perception of their hospital experience. The CMS methodlogy identifies the average rating in the HCAHPS results. Community Memorial first received this rating in 2018.
“When a patient comes in our health system, we treat them the way we would treat any of our family members, with compassion, respect and concern for the patients’ overall well-being,” commented Diane Chase, Chief Nursing Officer at Community Memorial. “Achieving a five-star rating during a pandemic is truly an honor.”
“Community Memorial has not been exempt of pandemic challenges, COVID surges, staffing crises, Emergency Department and inpatient volume record highs, ambulance diversions, a pause on elective surgeries, and exhaustion and stress of our staff, have all effected our healthcare system and staff. Being able to face these challenges and maintain our five-star rating in patient satisfaction is a true testament to our team’s commitment to providing quality care to our patients,” commented Jeffery Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial. “Our team of providers, nurses and staff continues to inspire me.”
The Becker’s Hospital Review produces this list annually, equipping healthcare leaders with information they need to learn, exchange ideas and continue conversations about the most critical issues in healthcare.
COMMUNITY MEMORIAL ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF CHIEF NURSING OFFICER
Diane Chase, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services at Community Memorial (CMH), announced her retirement after 40 years of nursing; 33 years of those years were served at Community Memorial.
In 1982, Chase began her career as a Respiratory SCU nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY and came to Hamilton in 1989 as a Team Leader in the Medical/Surgical Unit. Over her career, she gained valuable experience in clinical departments such as Emergency Services, Ambulatory Surgery, Special Care Unit, and Outpatient Care. In the fall of 2009, Chase was named Community Memorial’s Director of Nursing. She served in this role until 2017 when she became the Senior Director of Clinical Services and served in her most recent role as the healthcare system’s Chief Nursing Officer since 2021.
The positive impact Chase has made can be felt inside the hospital and in the community. Chase served on the boards of multiple organizations such as the NYSDOH Opioid Task Force, the NYS Partnership for Patients, and Morrisville State College’s Nursing Advisory Board. She also served on Community Memorial’s Foundation Board as the foundation’s clinical liaison between the hospital.
“Diane has served Community Memorial and the Hamilton community with the utmost skill, dedication, and commitment. She has created a lasting legacy that will be hard to match,” said Jeffrey Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial. “On behalf of our Hospital Board of Directors and our entire team, I thank her for her service and wish her all the best in her retirement.”
In the past 33 years, Chase has been at the bedside of countless patients providing the highest quality of care. “It doesn’t matter whether you are doing the most technically complicated thing to save a life or holding a patient’s hand in their time of need; perfect strangers are putting their lives in your hands, it is up to us to ease their worries and be strong,” said Chase when asked about her nursing career. She mentored dozens of nurses throughout her career, and whether you reported to her or not, her door was always open to all.
In 2018, Community Memorial was awarded five stars in patient satisfaction, the only hospital in New York State to receive the accreditation. Chase notes this as the peak of her career, “I was so proud of CMH and our employees, but seeing the pride across their faces was what made it mean so much more.”
Framed on the wall in her office is a letter from CMH’s former Director of Foundation, John Hubbard, which reads: ‘You are a nurse evermore, whatever else you do, no matter the accomplishments yet to come. Undoubtedly that is the finest tribute of all.” It is clear that Chase pays tribute to every nurse on her team in her words and deeds as she leaders them toward their own success.
Chase has been responsible for the oversight and supervision of nursing and other ancillary services in her career. While her passion has always been nursing, she understands the critical role all departments play in the overall success of a healthcare system and a patients’ experience. Pharmacy, Respiratory Therapy, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Lab, Infection Control, Clinical IT, Dietary and Environmental Services have all benefitted from the guidance of Chase.
If she could leave everyone with one quote or piece of advice that has gotten her through her extensive career, it would be: “No matter who we are, no matter how successful, no matter what our situation is, compassion is something we all need to receive and give” by Catherine Pulsifer. Chase noted that providing compassionate, quality care to her patients, operating with character and integrity, and earning the respect of those she supervised has always been the most important thing.