Events
Free Arthritis Clinic
On Thursday April 20, 2023, Dr. Richelle Takemoto will host a free* Arthritis clinic. Patients will have a 15 minute screening with the Dr. and if arthritis is suspected, will be given an order for medical imaging and scheduled for a follow up appointment.
Location: 150 Broad St. Hamilton, NY 13346. At the north end of the campus, facing Colgate University’s Reid Athletic Center.
Time: 4 PM – 6PM
Event is open to all community members, no registration is required. Patients will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.
*Medical imaging and follow up appointment are not covered under the free screening.
Free Hernia Screening Clinic
Dr. Gregory Ripich invites community members to meet the General Surgery team of Community Memorial for a free 15-minute hernia screening to learn about common symptoms and treatment options. If a hernia is detected, a follow-up appointment will be made for you right away.
When: Thursday, March 2, 2023. 4pm – 6pm
Where: Cazenovia Family Health Center
3045 John Trush Jr. Boulevard, Suite 1
Cazenovia, NY 13035
*No registration required. Screening are first come, first served and open to new and existing patient of all ages and genders.
Community Memorial Goes Red
The 8th annual Go Red Lunch and Learn event was held on Friday, February 3, again hosted at Colgate University’s Hall of Presidents through the partnership of Community Memorial (CMH) and Colgate’s CU Well Program. This event for women and men serves as an education symposium focusing on heart health.
Community members, CMH patients and staff, donned their red attire and enjoyed a delicious lunch while listening to the 5-person panel discuss this year’s ‘Cardiac Care’ story, featuring Marney, a patient of both CMH primary and specialty care. Marney’s story shared her real-life experience of how her Community Memorial healthcare providers helped diagnose her serious heart condition, allowing for prompt treatment.
Collaborating on the panel and answering questions from event moderator and Colgate physician Dr. Merrill Miller was Dr. Avneet Singh, Cardiologist; Rebecca Dorn, Cardiology Nurse Practitioner; Dr. Kerri Taylor, Primary Care; and Bernie Casscles, RN, Director of Nursing Emergency Services, all from the team of clinicians at Community Memorial. “This is my first Go Red at Community Memorial, and I’m proud to collaborate with other medical professionals and one of our patients to bring information to the community,” stated Dr. Singh. “Heart health is a relevant topic year-round, but we like to capture the expanded attention during National Heart Health Month each February.”
This annual collaboration between Community Memorial and Colgate University works to better patient outcomes by informing guests on specific heart-health topics. This free community forum showcases the importance of patients seeking care right away when they may have a heart medical issue. “When a heart emergency is happening, time is of the essence. The ER of Community Memorial is here for Hamilton and all the surrounding communities in these medical emergencies,” added Nurse Casscles.
National Wear Red Day is held annually on the first Friday in February. On this day, employees and medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital wore red to show support for heart disease awareness and for understanding its risks, and employees helped raise funds to donate to the American Heart Association. Heart Disease is the #1 killer of Americans, killing almost 700,000 individuals each year, but there is good news. According to the American Heart Association, 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases are preventable. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals know their numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) and their family history.
For 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients throughout nearly 30 Central New York communities throughout Madison County and beyond. Community Memorial provides primary care services with a network of five Family Health Centers (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville), an after-hours urgent care clinic – available in the evenings and weekends, and 24/7 emergency medicine services.
Go Red: Listen To Your Heart
In the midst of 2022, Marney Rowland was an avid walker, logging anywhere between four to seven miles daily. The tread on her sneakers showed her success, and the scale did, too, as she’d begun losing weight and feeling healthier. Dropping 25 pounds, Marney noticed her heart felt like it was skipping beats.
Community Memorial Primary Care Physician, Dr. Kerri Taylor, adjusted some of Marney’s medication – but the condition worsened. When she began to see some kaleidoscope colors in the corners of her eyes, Dr. Taylor referred her to Dr. Avneet Singh, Cardiologist at Community Memorial. “I had seen a cardiologist about six years ago but hadn’t had any abnormal findings,” noted Marney. “These symptoms and everything that came after was unexpected.”
In early November, Dr. Singh’s office performed an EKG (electrocardiogram) on Marney – a test recording the heart’s electrical signal to check for different heart conditions. After seeing some concerning results, a second test was performed immediately following. The next day, the office called Marney and asked her to return for a nuclear stress test, which uses a tracer and an imaging machine to create pictures of the blood flow to the heart. Marney was then sent to Crouse Health in Syracuse for a heart catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube is guided through a blood vessel in the heart.
“The doctor came in and said I had blockages and needed a five-way bypass, and I was sent to Upstate Hospital, next door, right away,” added Marney. “They kept me a few days, and then I had surgery. Seven hours in the OR for what ended up being a quadruple bypass, then five more days as an inpatient, and I went home.”
Post-op, Marney has some fluid still on her lungs, and her care team adjusts her medications and monitors her blood levels weekly. “Dr. Singh advised I will most likely be on AFib medication for a couple of months, which is common,” stated Marney. “I feel better than I did yesterday but not as good as I’ll feel tomorrow.”
Home recovering, Marney notes the appreciation for her long-time primary care provider. “I’ve seen Dr. Taylor for 20 years, I love her – and now, I’ve got a great Cardiologist with Dr. Singh. He has a great attitude with patients and always lifts me mentally.” Originally from the Oneida and Sherrill area, Marney moved north a few years ago, now traveling for an hour to see Dr. Taylor and Dr. Singh. “When you have a great medical provider you love, it’s worth going the distance to them.”
To learn more about the primary and specialty care services provided within the Community Memorial network, visit www.communitymemorial.org. Community Memorial Hospital is a critical access hospital in Hamilton, NY and offers primary care in five locations; Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville.
Go Red Lunch & Learn
Friday, February 3rd
Join us for an afternoon of health, wellness, and a survivor story!
Time: 11am – 1pm
Location: Hall of Presidents, Colgate University (map)
Please RSVP by January 27th!
Go Red Registration
Register now, or call 315-824-7037
"*" indicates required fields
Mike Martin Memorial Golf Tournament Another Success for Community Memorial
The Community Memorial Foundation hosted the 6th annual Mike Martin Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) on Monday, August 1, 2022. The proceeds from the competition and supporting sponsors will go towards the capital project currently underway at Community Memorial Hospital, already working on renovating and expanding the facility as the organization celebrates its 70th anniversary.
One hundred twenty-eight golfers attended the event, hosted at the beautiful and challenging Seven Oaks Golf Course of Colgate University in Hamilton. This event was named to remember a long-time and dedicated volunteer, Mike Martin, who was sadly lost to the community in October 2016. Deeply committed to the Hamilton area, Martin served on the board of the Community Memorial Foundation and chaired the tournament in its very successful inaugural year. The tournament recognizes his leadership skills, commitment to the hospital and the local community, and wonderful personality. He served on several local committees spearheading economic initiatives and actively volunteered for Colgate University as trustee and President of the Alumni Council. Martin is a 1964 graduate of Rome Free Academy and Colgate University class of 1969.
The sun was out all day with typical warm August golf weather, and after a brief welcome at noon, the players tee’d off. After the golfers completed their game, an awards dinner was hosted at the Hamilton Inn on Lake Moraine Road. Four teams were recognized: 1st place went to Team Keith Tyburski; 2nd went to Team Ron Joyce; 3rd was awarded to Team Chris DeAngelis, and 13th went to Team Dan Poupore.
“We had a fantastic time playing in the Community Memorial golf outing at Seven Oaks. It was a wonderful day with great golf and food in a perfect setting,” remarked Gary Weeks, event participant. “Our group was grateful to Susie Gustafson Real Estate for asking us to play in her sponsored foursome. My brother and two former colleagues loved playing the course and everything else that went with the day. Congratulations to the Community Memorial staff on a first-rate event!”
The event raised almost $100,000 in its 6th year and was supported by The Hayner Hoyt Corporation as Tournament Sponsor and SCP Health as Presenting. For a complete list of the event sponsors, along with event photos, please visit https://communitymemorial.org/foundation/golf-tournament/. The transformational project of CMH has already successfully completed the inpatient wing with private patient rooms, along with a new and expanded Emergency Room, the largest capital project since its inception in 1952. To learn more about the project details or to support, please visit https://communitymemorial.org/foundation/capital-campaign/.
Save the Date: 2022 Drive Flu Clinic
Thinking about protecting your health with a flu shot this season but don’t want to schedule an appointment? We’re pleased to offer our annual FREE Community Drive “Flu” Clinic!
Join us Friday, September 23, at the Community Memorial Campus at any of the following times: 7 AM – 9 AM; 11 AM – 1 PM; 4 PM – 6 PM!
click to download: Drive Flu Registration Form
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Children
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Children 6 months – Age 5
Madison County Health Department and Community Memorial Hospital’s Family Health Centers have collaborated to hold a COVID-19 pop-up vaccine clinic on August 2nd in the Town of Hamilton to increase vaccine access for infants and young children. This free COVID-19 clinic is open to children six months through 5 years of age. The child does not need to be a Madison County resident and does not need to be a patient of Community Memorial to participate. Only the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be available at this clinic.
COVID-19 Moderna Vaccine Clinic for Children 6 months through 5 years of age:
Tuesday, August 2, 2022
4:30pm-7:00pm (by appointment, second Moderna dose on Tuesday, August 30th)
Community Memorial Family Health Center of Hamilton,
164 Broad Street, Hamilton, NY
To make an appointment online– go to the Madison County Health Department website https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/2675/Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccination or call the Health Department at 315-366-2361.
“At this pop-up clinic, a Community Memorial pediatrician will be onsite to answer any questions before and after vaccination,” said Director of Community Health Rebecca LaPorte. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their child’s pediatrician or provider in advance to ask about getting vaccinated and for any questions. Parents may also view common questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccination for children at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq-children.html. To find additional vaccination clinics for those six months and older,
Community Wellness Center Hosts Partnership Program
Heritage Farm Inc. and Colgate University may differ in the type of organization, but both have been longtime community pillars, supporting, educating and promoting individuals to become contributors to society in their own unique ways. A recent collaboration between the two, in conjunction with the Community Wellness Center (CWC) of Community Memorial, has now provided a partnership that supports clients of Heritage Farm and furthers educational opportunities for students at Colgate University.
“Pairing Psychology students at Colgate with Heritage Farm participants allows for the growth of our students, and fosters health and wellness for the Heritage Farm members,” notes Dr. Regina Conti, Associate Professor of Psychology at Colgate University. “Our course ‘Bonding Across Boundaries’ aims to educate students surrounding ways to break down barriers that those with neurodevelopment disorders may face.”
After an orientation for the Colgate students with the certified trainer at the Community Wellness Center, Heritage Farm clients interested in an exercise program were evaluated for ability and program development opportunities. Once paired together, bi-weekly workout sessions began. “The Community Wellness Center has always served as a safe, friendly environment for community members to enjoy exercise,” remarks Sam Cooper, Managing Governor of the Board of Governors for the Wellness Center. “We’re excited to promote the extensive benefits that exercise can bring and be the host site for the partnering program between Colgate and Heritage Farm.”
Direct Support Professional with Heritage Farm, Inc., Steven Bassett, shares his thought on the success of the program: “Watching this program blossom has been a pleasure and privilege. The Colgate students and the CWC staff not only accommodated the participants but went above and beyond to personalize their experiences and ensure that they felt like they belonged. They pushed, motivated, and connected with the participants in ways that will leave a lasting impression.”
CWC trainer Mitch Cavanagh was able to structure exercise routines for the participants and watch the important interactions between everyone. “I appreciate that a large part of their success came from the engagement they got with the Colgate students. In between exercise sets, there was positive feedback and conversations about everyday life. Everyone involved including myself, the Heritage clients, and the students gained something from this experience. I look forward to having the opportunity to do it again.”
For years, the Community Wellness Center has provided a professionally supervised health and fitness program to hundreds of people in our region. Community Memorial Hospital has a continued interest in optimizing healthy lifestyle practices as a means of maintaining good health for people of all ages and abilities. To learn more about the Community Wellness Center of Community Memorial, including becoming a member or supporting their mission, please visit: communitymemorial.org/services/wellness-center/
Community Memorial Begins Robotic Surgery Program
Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) has launched its new Robotic Surgery Program through a partnership with Hamilton Orthopaedics Spine and Sports Medicine with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution. Dr. Richelle Takemoto of Hamilton Orthopaedics performed the first robotic joint surgery with the CMH Surgical Team.
After extensive training and certification from DePuy on the Velys Robotic solution, the surgical team at CMH assisted Dr. Takemoto in launching the robotic technology in the operating room. Community Memorial is the second hospital in New York State to implement this new advanced technology. “The Robotic Surgery Program brings advanced technology into our operating room, providing patients with advanced technology and our same five-star caring service,” states Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with Hamilton Orthopaedics for the Robotic Surgery Program. With thousands of successful knee replacements provided by our skilled surgeons this gives patients one more reason to have their surgery at Community Memorial.”
Dr. Takemoto is excited to expand the program at Community Memorial. As the first female surgeon to use this innovative technology, she understands the benefits of robotics technology to patients. “The robotic technology provides me with greater precision on a cut. I can determine a measurement down the millimeter,” commented Takemoto. “This means increased stability and reduction in pain for patients, providing them with a better range of motion and preventing the unstable feeling some patients experience during everyday activities, such as bending and walking up and down stairs.”
Every knee is different, as is every patient that requires a knee replacement procedure. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution works in tandem with the ATTUNE® Knee System, an innovative knee implant that works more closely with an individual patient’s anatomy. With these systems together, there is now an option for patients seeking the latest technology designed to provide digital precision in knee replacement.
“The entire surgical process is improved, from start to finish,” remarks Warren Perry, RN, Director of Surgical Services at Community Memorial. “This equipment simplifies joint replacement surgery, and the true winner is the patient; optimal results, faster recovery times and fewer complications.”
Consistently recognized by Healthgrades with the Joint Replacement Excellence Award, most recently in 2021 for superior clinical outcomes in knee and hip replacements, Community Memorial strives to be the area’s leading organization for orthopedic surgery. “Robotics is transforming the way physicians perform surgery,” adds Perry. “Community Memorial is bringing joint replacement surgery to the next level, offering patients our superior 5-star care with first-rate technology.”