Volume 23 of the Healthy Living Newsletter is here!

In This Issue:

• Next Phase of Transformation Project
• CEO Update
• Same & Next Day Appointments
• New Primary Care Practice
• Celebration Event
• Expanding Orthopedics Team

Read the PDF by clicking here!

Community Memorial enters next phase of $31.5 million transformation project.

The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is excited to enter the second phase of its $31.5 million Transformation Project of its facility that will expand and modernize patient care spaces.

After securing financing with a USDA guaranteed loan, Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is excited to resume its project to transform over half of the Hospital. “The Transformation Project at Community Memorial will modernize our facility and upgrade our equipment, elevating the level of care, improving clinical workflows and increasing efficiencies across the Hospital,” stated Jeff Coakley, President and CEO of CMH.

“With support from the USDA, federal, state and local officials, we are now able to move forward and make good on our promise to renew our hospital.”

The first phase, completed in 2021, transformed the Inpatient Wing and the Emergency Department. The new Inpatient Wing brought all-new, modern single-patient rooms, offering patients and their visitors a comfortable and private setting to get well. The new ED took an outdated, small care space to an expanded unit with private patient treatment bays, complete with a dedicated registration and waiting room space.

CEO Update

Dear Community Members,

As we turn the page on a busy and exciting first half of 2024, Community Memorial is thrilled to share some updates with you – our dedicated patients and neighbors.

To date, this year has been a whirlwind of progress. We’ve been busy extending our reach and expertise, bringing new specialty services to the New Hartford and Cazenovia markets. Additionally, the highly anticipated opening of our new Family Health Center in Sherrill provides convenience for residents seeking comprehensive care.

Perhaps the most exciting development is the official continuation of construction on our transformative $31.5 million upgrade of our hospital. This project will revolutionize how we deliver healthcare, offering a modern, comfortable environment equipped with the latest technology.

We recently celebrated a major milestone with the successful completion of Phase I of our Foundation’s capital campaign. Through your incredible generosity, we’ve raised $4.1 million to advance our Transformation Project. As we move into Phase II, your continued support will be instrumental in achieving our ambitious vision to be the healthcare provider and employer of choice in the region.

We’re deeply committed to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of our community and improving the overall health and well-being of our patients. We invite you to join us on this journey as we build a brighter future for healthcare.

Read more about our exciting updates in this edition of Healthy Living.

Yours in good health,
Jeff Coakley
President & CEO

Same and Next Day Appointments!

As we continue to evolve to meet and exceed the needs of area residents, the CMH healthcare community is proud to welcome Isaiah J. Hammonds to our Family Health Center in Waterville. He brings an extraordinary level of expertise that allows us to advance our commitment to providing world-class family healthcare.

Areas of Specialties Include:
• Internal Medicine • Community Wellness

WATERVILLE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
117 West Main Street
Waterville, NY 13480
(315) 841-4184

Community Memorial enters next phase of $31.5 million transformation project continued

Phase I was completed just in time to meet the needs of the community during the height of a regional COVID spike. Since opening the new Emergency Department, CMH has seen record numbers of patients that need care. Phase II aims to bring ancillary services to the forefront, updating space and equipment.

The Radiology Department will be centralized inside the hospital to meet the needs of our referred patients and allow staff to conveniently respond to the diagnostic needs of our ED providers. Aging equipment will be upgraded with state-of-the-art medical imaging devices, including a CT scanner, MRI machine, and digital mammography.

The Laboratory Department will have expanded waiting space for patients with updated draw rooms, improving the patient experience. Staff will also have improved workflow and efficiencies with the expanded space.

The updated Center for Rehabilitation at CMH, which includes physical and occupational
therapies, will be expanded, offering larger treatment spaces. New and modern equipment will enhance the patient experience and care to promote recovery and mobilization, and a Patient Lounge will be added for short-term rehabilitation patients to socialize with loved ones.

Lastly, Phase II will feature a new Main Entrance for patients, families, and visitors to access the Hospital and enhance patient safeguards. The new main entrance will connect to outpatient services of radiology, lab, and therapy services with stronger patient security services and a larger waiting area.

Community Memorial and construction management group, The Hayner Hoyt Corp., anticipate completion of the project in the first quarter of 2026. While construction is in process, the organization will work vigorously to ensure patient care is not reduced or impacted, and it looks forward to welcoming those needing care into all locations and services.

Regularly check the website for the latest updates on CMH services, the medical team and the Transformation Project including progress, photos, and more information on how the community and patients may participate in the largest project since the inception of Community Memorial in 1952.

Community Memorial Expands Primary Care Services with New Practice

The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network has extended its footprint for patients locally by adding another primary care location to the healthcare system.

Hamilton Medical Services, an affiliate of the Community Memorial network, has acquired a primary care practice located at 803 Sherrill Road in Sherrill. The new location joins the network’s existing primary care offices. It will offer exceptional care by Dr. Matthew McKay, who specializes in family medicine and has extensive experience in hospital medicine, serving as a hospitalist at Community Memorial for several years.

After graduating from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completing his family medicine residency at Mountainside Hospital, McKay has served as a private practice primary care provider. As an Oneida native, McKay has filled roles including the President and Vice President of a medical staff group as well as the Chairperson of the Department of Internal Medicine before joining Community Memorial. “I’ve been honored to provide care for our patients in the inpatient setting of CMH,” remarked McKay. “Now, I look forward to getting back to my roots of primary care, extending the services the CMH team offers and collaborating with my colleagues in the outpatient settings.”

The Sherrill office previously offered care by Dr. Robert Burdick, a longtime primary care provider. “Dr. Burdick’s decision to retire has offered the opportunity for Community Memorial to grow services in the region,” stated Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “We welcome Dr. Burdick’s patients into the CMH family and look forward to Dr. Matt McKay providing them with the same exceptional care.”

With continued recognition of the important need for primary care and the challenges faced with access to care in rural areas, CMH has dedicated considerable efforts to bolster its provider team and support staff. This concerted activity around preventative care has supported the network in several areas of growth, including primary and specialty care.

With the Hospital located in Hamilton, services are streamlined for patient efficiency
across all primary care offices, including ancillary services such as laboratory, radiology, rehabilitation and more. Patients and providers looking to make an appointment with any primary care office are encouraged to call the CMH Referral Line at (315) 824-6620.

Community Memorial offers primary care in five other locations besides Sherrill (Hamilton,Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, and Waterville) and warmly welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care.

Community Memorial Expands Orthopedics Team

The Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) network continues to meet the growing demand for specialty patient care with the addition of a new physician assistant to the orthopedics team.

JACKIE IRELAND, PA-C, works alongside Dr. Kamaljeet Banga in both
the outpatient and operating room settings. Ireland joins the CMH team with over a decade of experience, with specialized support in orthopedic spine surgery, holds certifications with the National Commission on Certifications of Physician Assistants, and is professionally affiliated with the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the NYS Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA).

Graduating from Le Moyne College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and also a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Ireland has worked in Central New York in a busy orthopedics and spine surgery setting. This experience has lent her the skills, knowledge, and compassion to become a skilled physician assistant and now a member of the Center for Orthopedics at Community Memorial.

With a philosophy of care centering on the patient as a whole person, Ireland remarks, “I chose to join the Community Memorial network because of the close feel of the hospital and orthopedics group. I look forward to providing collaborative care with a practice that offers a variety of sub-specialties and superior orthopedic care.”

Ireland comes to the CMH family as a new location for the orthopedic practice was just opened. Situated on the hospital campus as the new Center for Specialty Services building at 160 Broad Street, the Center for Orthopedic Services moved here in early 2024 to fit the need for expanded patient care space along with a growing team of providers.

Recognizing the important need for local orthopedic care, CMH has dedicated considerable efforts to bolster its provider team and support staff. This concerted activity has led to an increase in volumes, necessitating the expansion of the clinical facility. The Center for Orthopedic Services showcases the expertise of the growing orthopedics team.

“Our medical staff welcomes Jackie Ireland as an esteemed member of our team, bringing expertise and a passion for orthopedic care,” states Michael Walsh, DO, Chief Medical Officer. “She provides a great skill set in education and knowledge with the goal of collaborative community-based care.”

With the Hospital located next door to the orthopedic practice, services are streamlined for patient efficiency. The Center for Orthopedics also offers a walk-in clinic open Monday through Friday, 8am – 1pm, and grants quick appointments following an Emergency Department visit. Patients and providers looking to make an appointment with the Center for Orthopedics at Community Memorial are encouraged to call (315) 824-7040.

Community Memorial Holds Celebration Event

The Community Memorial Foundation hosted a formal celebration event Friday, June 14, 2024, in Hamilton to introduce the second phase of the Hospital’s physical transformation project.

The celebratory affair was held at the Hall of Presidents on the Colgate University campus and brought together organization leaders, medical staff, community members and supporters to highlight the accomplishment of the first phase of the hospital’s transformation project and share what’s to come for the organization with construction now resuming. Phase II will include an expanded and relocated Radiology Department featuring a dedicated Women’s Imaging Suite, a state-of-the-art Laboratory Department, an expanded Rehabilitation Department, and a brand-new Main Entrance for patients and visitors alike.

“We were excited to partner with Colgate University as lead
supporters of Community Memorial and host this event to celebrate
our success and showcase the promising future of the hospital,”

remarked Jeff Coakley, President and CEO. “A night of celebration for our hospital brought together community members in a fun and formal setting. Welcoming guests and supporters to celebrate our success was a great time.”

With dinner and dancing to music provided by the band Grand Central Station, the evening offered an exciting opportunity for attendees to socialize and gain deeper insights into the upcoming physical transformation of the hospital. “Celebrating the success of the completed inpatient wing and all-new Emergency Department while bringing our community members and supporters together is our collective initiative,” added Coakley. “Campaign Co-Chairs Mary Brundage and Dr. Bob Delorme welcomed guests to the evening of celebration, and we appreciate everyone attending.”

The event was generously sponsored by The Hayner Hoyt Corporation, WG Critical Care, The Kinney Drugs Foundation and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. For more information on the transformation project, which at completion will update over half of the facility that opened its doors for patient care in 1952, please visit CommunityMemorial.org/YourDonation.