News
May is National Nurses’ Month!
From providing treatment and comfort for the sick to welcoming new life into the world, nurses across the nation are central to healthy and optimistic communities, offering an unparalleled impact on healthcare. That’s the message the American Nurses Association (ANA) is touting with the 2023 National Nurses Month theme “You Make a Difference.”
At Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) and its five Family Health Centers, the annual celebration of the team of nurses is always an exciting time. “We enjoy the opportunity to send extra appreciation and recognition to our nursing staff,” noted Heather Bernard, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Services. “This year, we’re able to extend the national week into a national month and bring more focus areas of celebration to our organization for our nursing team.”
The 2023 theme honors the variety of nursing roles, and the month is divided into weekly focus areas – Self Care, Recognition, Professional Development and Community Engagement. The CMH Nursing Leadership team will highlight these areas with unique activities each week, aligning with the chosen topics the ANA has selected. “Dedicating each week of the month towards our nurses is exciting,” added Bernard. “Providing ideas and resources along with engaging with our team to show the gratitude that our community has for their hard work is our personal goal at CMH.”
Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. Through its state and constituent member associations, ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting economic and general welfare, a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
Traditionally, National Nurses Week is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways registered nurses work to improve healthcare for all. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding healthcare needs of American society.
For over 70 years, Community Memorial Hospital’s mission has been to provide quality and caring healthcare to thousands of patients in 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.
Community Memorial Welcomes Dr. Richelle Takemoto!
Community Memorial (CMH) in Hamilton is pleased to welcome experienced orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richelle Takemoto to its medical staff. The healthcare network continues to lead the way in orthopedic care in Hamilton and the surrounding region.
Previously with a local orthopedic surgical practice, Takemoto decided to seek out other opportunities to serve the community. Endeared by Hamilton and the surrounding region and the supportive team of nurses and staff, Takemoto saw the potential to build on the orthopedic legacy at CMH.
“I am very committed to serving the patients of our community and believe that partnering with the hospital will help to better support patient care. My goal is to provide efficient, high-quality care for our community that will remain in place long after my career. I am dedicated to providing excellent, quality orthopedic services and working collaboratively with the entire orthopedic surgical team providing services at Community Memorial.”
Unfortunately, while Dr. Takemoto was willing and able to complete all her scheduled surgeries, her previous practice chose to cancel all her patients without consulting her. Thankfully, she will begin seeing patients on Monday, March 13, 2023, at Community Memorial. Her office will be located at the North end of the campus, near the Colgate Reid Athletic center, providing patients direct access to ancillary services while tending to their orthopedic care.
“We welcome Dr. Takemoto to the CMH family and thank her for the advanced services she has brought to us in the last year,” stated Jeff Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial. “We look forward to growing orthopedic services for the community in collaboration with all CMH-affiliated orthopedic surgeons.”
Dr. Takemoto is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who completed fellowship training in Orthopedic Trauma. She specializes in comprehensive fracture care, post-traumatic reconstruction, and total joint arthroplasty of the shoulder, knee and hip. In February 2022, after completing extensive training and certification, Dr. Takemoto became the first female surgeon in the world to use the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution and developed a successful robotic surgery program at CMH. Dr. Takemoto will continue to expand this service as part of the CMH team.
Dr. Takemoto is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and is a graduate of the Punahou School. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College in 1999 and is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine, where she earned her MD in 2002. She completed a residency in orthopedic surgery from NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City under the tutelage of renowned surgeon Dr. Joseph Zuckerman. Following her residency, she completed the Altman Fellowship in Orthopedic Trauma at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Takemoto is an active member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, AO North America and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.
An avid combat sports fan, Dr. Takemoto is a jiujitsu competitor who has competed at and won the International Brazilian Jiujitsu Federation 2022 World Master Championship in Las Vegas. She trains at Oneonta’s Jiujitsu Academy. She also enjoys hunting and fishing with her family when she is not in the operating room or seeing patients. To make an appointment with Dr. Takemoto on the CMH campus in Hamilton or for information, please call 315.824.7040 or visit www.communitymemorial.org/ortho
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.
NEW SURGEON JOINS COMMUNITY MEMORIAL
The Community Memorial (CMH) healthcare system is excited to welcome Gregory Ripich, MD, who joins the organization’s surgery team as a General Surgeon.
Dr. Ripich joins Dr. Martin Ernits in the General Surgery Program at CMH; this addition provides the community with a greater scope of care and allows CMH to care for a greater volume of patients. Ripich will perform elective procedures and surgeries, specializing in various surgeries such as colon/rectal, breast, thyroid, skin and wound. Dr. Martin will continue to perform emergent surgeries and collaborate with onsite hospitalists.
Ripich has started seeing patients in the CMH Family Health Centers of Hamilton and Cazenovia. “The Community Memorial team is excited to bring Dr. Ripich on board. He brings a broad range of skills and experience to our patients,” commented Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. “With his focus on a specialty covering various medical issues, we’re confident that patients will be pleased with the care offered here in Hamilton.”
Ripich performed his postgraduate training at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Michigan after receiving his Doctorate in Medicine from SUNY-Halth Science Center at Syracuse. Prior to this, he studied at the University of Buffalo, receiving his Master of Science degree. Ripich attended Cornell University for his undergraduate degree, obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology. His extensive career has defined his surgical interest and experience in advanced minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic procedures. He most recently served as the Medical Director for Surgical Associates of CMA in Ithaca, NY.
“Dr. Ripich brings experience and a wealth of knowledge from larger health systems that will allow patients to receive care right here in Hamilton,” noted Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “CMH is excited for the future of General Surgery in Hamilton. We encourage patients to utilize the expanded services offered here.”
“I’m looking forward to joining Community Memorial and establishing patient care,” stated Dr. Ripich. “I enjoy working with new hospitals and communities, helping them to grow their general surgery programs with new techniques and ideas.” To learn more about the services, medical staff and more offered at CMH, or to make an appointment, please call (315)648-6408 or visit www.communitymemorial.org/
COMMUNITY MEMORIAL WELCOMES TWO NEW HOSPITALISTS
The Community Memorial (CMH) healthcare system is excited to welcome Kareem Hamad, MD, and Matthew McKay, MD, who will both join the organization’s Hospitalist Team.
Expanding the current team of CMH hospitalists compiled of Nathan Keever, DO; April Lamunion FNP; and Lynette Champagne, NP; Dr. Hamad and Dr. McKay will round out the group of inpatient physicians and nurse practitioners who work exclusively inside the hospital. These providers care for patients admitted to the organization, collaborating with other departments during patient admissions, post-surgical care and swing bed patients.
“I knew joining CMH would be a great fit for me when I saw that the team is just as committed to providing patients with quality, patient-centered care as I am,” noted Dr. Hamad. “I look forward to collaborating with nurses and other medical staff to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”
Hamad studied medicine at the Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria, Egypt, where he received his Bachelors of Internal Medicine and General Surgery. After that, Hamad studied General Surgery and Etymology at Trafford Hospital in Manchester, United Kingdom. He received his Boards in Family Medicine in 2013 and Fellowship of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine in 2016.
Dr. Hamad has been providing care to patients in Central New York since 2010. He brings experience in inpatient management, integrative medicine, wound care, minor surgeries and rapid response/code management. His experience adds to the high quality of care patients expect from CMH’s healthcare system.
“We are excited to have Dr. Hamad join our team. His focus on providing high quality, patient-centered, evidence-based care to our community and surrounding areas furthers Community Memorial’s commitment to excellence,” commented Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer.
McKay comes to Community Memorial after an extensive career as a local physician. Graduating from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completing his family medicine residency at Mountainside Hospital, McKay was a private practice primary care provider with a local group and has served as a hospitalist in a neighboring facility since 2018 as well. As an Oneida native, McKay has served as the President and Vice President of a medical staff group as well as the Chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine. “Community Memorial has an outstanding reputation for providing superior care to patients, and I’m excited to begin collaborative care between my fellow colleagues and hospital departments,” remarked McKay.
“Dr. McKay and Dr. Hamad bring experience a wealth of knowledge from larger health systems that will benefit patients in Hamilton without having to travel to other hospitals in the region,” noted Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “We’re excited for the expansion of skill that these providers bring to our Hospitalist Team.”
Community Memorial Welcomes the Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Services
Community Memorial (CMH) is proud to welcome Heather Bernard, DNP, RN, CIC, FAPIC, as the new Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Services. Bernard joins the administrative team following the retirement of Diane Chase, RN.
As the Vice President of Nursing and Clinical Services, Bernard provides mentorship and guidance to nursing leaders and assigned patient care departments. She is responsible for enhancing clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and improving quality and patient safety.
Bernard brings a strong background in managing and preventing infectious diseases, previously serving as a Regional Infection Control Specialist in New York State with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation. Leading the regional Epidemiology Program response to COVID-19 across the state, she was recognized for her mitigation work with a significant COVID outbreak in a hospital.
Prior to her time with the CDC, Bernard worked in the Mohawk Valley Health Systems Network as the Director of Infection Prevention. Bernard worked with evidence-based programs to address infection prevention and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve quality measures including falls, pressure ulcers, bedside rounding, and healthcare-associated infections.
A long-time Hamilton resident and no stranger to Community Memorial, Bernard returns to where she started her career in nursing 25 years ago. “I am proud to be back at CMH, where my journey began and continue its outstanding reputation for patient care,” Bernard commented. “My career journey and experiences have shaped my transformational leadership style. I look forward to supporting the provision of high-quality, evidence-based healthcare to our community.”
“Heather’s experience in leading a team across a large healthcare system and managing response for COVID outbreaks in Article 28 organizations across the state reflect her ability to lead effectively even during the most trying times in healthcare,” stated Jeff Coakley, President & CEO. “We are so fortunate to have Heather back at Community Memorial. I look forward to watching her lead her team in continued success.”
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.
COMMUNITY MEMORIAL RATED 5 STARS IN PATIENT SATISFACTION
[February 2, 2022] 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 methodology 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.