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!

EFFECTIVE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

Visiting hours will be strictly enforced. Exceptions may be allowed on a case by case basis with leadership approval.

Visiting hours will be as follows for Med/Surg and SCU:

• Monday through Friday: 3pm – 7pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 1pm – 4pm

• Each patient will only be allowed a maximum of TWO visitors per day.
• NO visitors in Amb/Surg.
• Visitors must maintain social distancing of six feet, even in patients rooms.
• Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors are not permitted to visit and patient who is in isolation, unless exceptional circumstances and prior approval have been obtained.
• Visitors are to remain in the patient room at all times unless directed by staff to leave due to a treatment.

EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021

Visiting hours will be strictly enforced. Exceptions may be allowed on a case by case basis with leadership approval.

Visiting hours will only be as follows for Med/Surg and SCU:

• Monday through Friday: 1pm – 7pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 4pm

• Each patient will only be allowed two registered visitors at one time.
• 1 visitor only to Amb/Surg. Ambulatory visitors will be screen in Ambulatory.
• There is no restriction on the number of visitors per day.
• Visitors must maintain social distancing of six feet, even in patients rooms.
• Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors are not permitted to visit and patient who is in isolation, unless exceptional circumstances and prior approval have been obtained.
• Visitors are to remain in the patient room at all times unless directed by staff to leave due to a treatment.

EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021

Visiting hours will be strictly enforced. Exceptions may be allowed on a case by case basis with leadership approval.

Visiting hours will only be as follows for Med/Surg and SCU:

• Monday through Friday: 3pm – 7pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 11am – 3pm

• Each patient will only be allowed two registered visitors at one time.
• 1 visitor only to Amb/Surg. Ambulatory visitors will be screen in Ambulatory.
• There is no restriction on the number of visitors per day.
• Visitors must maintain social distancing of six feet, even in patients rooms.
• Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to visit.
• Visitors are not permitted to visit and patient who is in isolation, unless exceptional circumstances and prior approval have been obtained.
• Visitors are to remain in the patient room at all times unless directed by staff to leave due to a treatment.

EFFECTIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021

Each admitted INPATIENT will be allowed TWO visitors at a time PER DAY at the hours of:

• 4pm – 7pm Monday – Friday
• 1pm – 3pm Weekends

All visitors will be screened for illness, including temperature. Masks are required for entry.

Guidelines are subject to change based on NYS Department of Health guidelines and any change in COVID numbers locally.

Community Memorial is pleased to announce 2 COMMUNITY COVID-19 Vaccine distributions, scheduled for Tuesday, March 9th and Wednesday, March 10th. Both PODs (point of distribution) will be held at the Masonic Lodge in Hamilton, on Wes Road.

Community Memorial was able to receive 500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. Those eligible at this time are Community Memorial hospital inpatients 65+, 18-64 with comorbidities, non-hospital 65+ years of age. Community members interested in vaccination are encouraged to review criteria and signup for an appointment time at the below links which will be opened for scheduling on March 7, 2021.

A collaboration between Community Memorial, the Madison County Department of Health and Colgate University has allowed the successful scheduling of these vital PODs, in a concentrated effort around public vaccination and the fight against the COVID virus. Any community members that have questions around the COVID vaccine or their personal vaccination need should consult with their primary care provider.

Community Memorial will continue to keep area residents informed around additional future vaccine distribution. In the meantime, the healthcare organization and its medical experts continue to encourage safe habits; hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks.

For additional information on eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine and any vaccine related questions, please visit the NYS Department of Health site.

SCHEDULING BEGINS 3/7

Click here to schedule an appointment for Tuesday, March 9th

Click here to schedule an appointment for Wednesday, March 10th