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 (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.”

[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.

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 Hospital (CMH) is proud to announce that the renovation to the Emergency Department has been completed and is now open for patient care. The new Emergency Department (ED) at CMH in Hamilton has an expanded waiting room, private bays for patients, enhanced technology and safety features.

Patients needing emergent care can come to the new ED, located in the front of our hospital campus, through its own entrance. The expansion includes three additional rooms, bringing the total number to ten rooms, increasing patient privacy and safety. The ED also has enhanced technology, including a centralized telemetry system to monitor patient cardiac status and security features that restrict entrance to the ED to those with badge access.

CMH has added a decontamination room with private access through the outdoor showers. This will allow patients, EMS providers and staff to rinse off any potentially hazardous chemicals before entering the building. The decontamination room has an ante room to give staff the space they need to safely don and doff personal protective equipment and minimize the transfer of any hazardous waste or airborne diseases with an enhanced HVAC system. A decontamination room in a rural community is critical in providing safe care for our patients and staff.

As the pandemic continues to impact our community, access to safe, quality healthcare matters most. “The opening of the Emergency Department comes at an important time as we continue to serve the needs of residents in our community during the pandemic,” stated Jeffery Coakley, President and CEO of Community Memorial.

The increase of COVID, influenza and RSV cases are driving an increase in patient visits in our Emergency Department. This expanded space with enhanced features and technology allows us to care for our patients more effectively and provide EMS and staff with the space and tools they need to deliver quality care to patients.

“Providing quality healthcare in a personal, confidential room with increased space allows us to align our outstanding care with our space,” stated Bernadette Casscles, RN, Director of Emergency Services. “The enhancements made to our Emergency Department reflect the quality of healthcare we provide to our community every day.”

The opening of the Emergency Department wraps up Phase II of Community Memorial’s capital project and transformation of the hospital.  The hospital is undergoing a $31 million transformation to continue to provide quality healthcare to our region. The capital project will enhance our outdated facility, promoting patient access and navigation. Community Memorial opened a newly renovated Med/Surg unit last January, completing Phase I of the project.

EFFECTIVE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

Due to the increase in local COVID-19 positivity, Community Memorial Hospital has temporarily suspended visitation in the hospital, with the exception of emergent, end-of-life care, minors and patients with special needs or circumstances.

Please contact Administration or the nursing supervisor with questions; (315) 824-6082.

Warren Perry, BSN, RN, RNFA, CNOR, Director of Surgical Services, recently achieved success in the operating rooms for CMH after delays were experienced, due to holes in wrapped instrument trays for patient surgery.

Working with a vendor, Perry streamlined the sterilization process of Operating Room instruments, shifting the organization to a new process that sterilizes with steam in a sealed container. Reducing delays in surgery has improved patient safety as well as operational efficiency.

Mr. Perry explained, “For all of us in healthcare, the primary concern is the patient’s well-being. It’s our responsibility to eliminate as many variables and prevent as many infections as possible. And, this new process for CMH improves the patient care and experience, adding to our 5-star care in Hamilton.”

Thank you, Warren, for your continued commitment to improving patient care along with efficiencies at Community Memorial!