Latest news with #NorthStarHealthAlliance
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rare dual-hospital campus in Ogdensburg seeks continued support from state
Jun. 21—OGDENSBURG — As North Star Health Alliance completes its plan for preserving rural healthcare in the north country, it is looking for continued strong support from the state to help it reach the final phase in the transformation of its Ogdensburg campus. Since August 2022, North Star has been working with the state Department of Health on a stabilization plan that unites Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, North Country Orthopaedic Group and Meadowbrook Terrace under a shared framework for leadership and service coordination. Central to this transformation, according to North Star, is a pioneering Ogdensburg campus where two separately licensed hospitals operate side by side under one roof, a first in New York state. Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center now serves as a 40-bed inpatient psychiatric hospital, which North Star says is the first stand-alone, not-for-profit facility of its kind in the state, with dedicated units tailored for children, adolescents and adults. Adjacent to this is the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, a 25-bed acute care hospital managed by Carthage Area Hospital that has completed the final steps for Critical Access Hospital status. It was previously a 137-bed acute care hospital. In June 2024, the state's Public Health and Health Planning Council voted unanimously to approve the dual-hospital plan, praising it as a model for other rural healthcare systems, according to North Star President and CEO Richard A. Duvall. "It's the first one in New York State to have a single campus with two hospitals on it," Duvall said. "It has been nationally, but never in New York. All of this creates a sustainable model for the future of securing rural health care." Duvall said the separation of the behavioral health unit has improved the traffic flow and patient experience in the emergency room. "Instead of having the ER doctor whose got an appendix case here, cardiology case there, and then someone in behavioral health crisis over there, it allows for that more individualize, or specialized care. It speeds up the patient experience quite a bit too." The Claxton Campus successfully completed its critical access survey on June 12, marking an important final milestone in the designation process, which Duvall said will move North Star confidently into the next phase of it strategic plan, focused on strengthening rural healthcare access and sustainability across the north country by better allowing for clinical integration, resource sharing and joint planning, all vital in a rural region. In addition, North Star's member organizations support over 1,800 jobs across the region and generate $307 million in annual economic activity. In 2024, North Star's facilties handled more than 325,000 outpatient appointments, 31,000 emergency department visits, 5,000 hospital admissions and welcomed 530 newborns. He said the changes were made without cutting staff or services. "This is a good news story," he said. Duvall said all of North Star's accomplishments have come with the strong backing of the state, from the Department of Health up to Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul. Duvall said the governor and DOH's leadership have been unwavering in support of North Star's efforts. Now, North Star is looking to the state to help with a final piece of its transition and stabilization plan. It was recently invited to apply for funding through Gov. Hochul's Safety Net Trasnformation Program, which was established in the state's Fiscal Year 2025 Enacted Budget to provide, among other things, both capital and operating resources to safety net hospitals in vulnerable communities. Duvall said if North Star's application is successful, the state funding would enable essential facility upgrades and offset temporary revenue shortfalls as a the hospitals transition to Critical Access Hospital status. As North Star awaits word on the funding, Duvall expressed the alliance's gratitude to vendors and employees for their continued support during what he concedes is a financially challenging period. He said, however, the changes being made by North Star will not only help preserve healthcare in the region at a time when may rural hospitals are cutting vital services, but allow for the expansion of specialty care while strengthening care delivery across each of the communities where North Star operates.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Carthage Area Hospital honors Nurse Jennifer Putnam with DAISY Award
CARTHAGE, N.Y. (WWTI) – Carthage Area Hospital (CAH), part of the North Star Health Alliance (NSHA), announces that Jennifer Putnam, RN, has received The DAISY Award® for her outstanding patient care. CAH says her compassion during vulnerable moments showcases the essence of nursing. Putnam's commitment reminds the hospital of the significant impact one nurse can have, and the hospital says they are proud to honor her within the North Star Health Alliance. Traffic Alert: Intersection of Stone Street & Sherman Street in Watertown 8 injured in Pearl Street Mall attack; Law enforcement ID suspect Mets take home win in Sunday finale against Iowa Carthage Area Hospital honors Nurse Jennifer Putnam with DAISY Award West Genesee takes home second straight Class AA championship 'My favorite person in the whole world was my grandmother. When she was near the end of her battle with cancer, a nurse would sing to her each day—bringing her peace and taking away her fear, even if just for five minutes. I knew then that if someone could do that for another person, I wanted to be a part of it,' Putnam shared, reflecting on what drew her to nursing. She said that moment cemented her calling and her first clinical rotation back at Carthage Hospital only deepened her love for patient care. Putnam is essential to the Carthage ER team, expertly guiding patients and families through critical moments with warmth and kindness. Her considerate support, unfailing generosity, and dedication to reducing pain and anxiety are prime examples of the exceptional care that The DAISY Award® honors, says CAH. 'Jennifer's compassion goes hand in hand with her clinical excellence. She has an uncanny ability to tune into what her patients need most—whether that's a medical intervention or simply someone to listen. By openly sharing her own stories, she builds bridges of trust and eases her patients' fears in their toughest moments. Her empathetic presence transforms the care experience, reminding everyone on our team of the profound impact kindness and genuine connection can have on healing.' David Ferris, MSHA, RN, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Vice President of Patient Care The North Star Health Alliance and Carthage Area Hospital congratulated Putnam on this earned accolade. CAH praised her unwavering dedication to patient-centered care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heart Walk raises more than $125K, honors Gouverneur 'Heartsavers'
Apr. 14—WATERTOWN — Hundreds of people gathered at the North Country Heart Walk Saturday at Jefferson Community College, raising more than $125,000 to further the American Heart Association's lifesaving mission. Nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital don't survive — a sobering statistic that underscores the Heart Walk's urgent call to action: fundraise, learn CPR and take action to save lives. In addition to raising critical funds, the North Country Heart Walk brought together heart disease and stroke survivors as well as participants from dozens of local companies to unite in the mission to save lives. Every walker who joined the Heart Walk, every dollar donated, means more people trained in lifesaving CPR, more research and more lifesaving moments for everyone. Donations can be made until May 12 at "The Heart Walk is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together," Rich Duvall, president and CEO of North Star Health Alliance and volunteer chairman of the Heart Walk, said in a news release. "By supporting this year-round initiative, we're not just raising funds. We are equipping more people with lifesaving skills and making the north country a stronger, healthier place. Our vision is for every home to be prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency, and we're grateful to everyone who helped us take a big step toward that goal." During the event, the American Heart Association also presented Heartsaver Hero Awards to a group of employees from Kinney Drugs. When their co-worker, Darcy Kerr, collapsed at the Gouverneur store a few weeks ago, employees took action to save her life. They called 911 and worked together to provide compressions, give breaths and talk with dispatchers. When EMTs arrived, they took over compressions and used an automated external defibrillator to shock Kerr's heart back into rhythm after several tries. She is recovering well and was able to attend the Heart Walk on Saturday. The Heartsaver Hero Award was presented to Dan Ragan, Brandi Romano and Becky Toomey. The North Country Heart Walk is sponsored by Kinney Drugs Foundation, North Star Health Alliance, Samaritan Health, Knowlton Technologies, AmeriCU Credit Union, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Watertown Wealth Management and more, as well as media sponsors 7 News, Community Broadcasters and the Watertown Daily Times.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North Country CEO takes the helm of area's American Heart Walk
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – A north country CEO is now leading the charge for the area's American Heart Walk. North Star Health Alliance CEO Rich Duvall will lead the charge as the 2025 American Heart Association Heart Walk chairman. Under Duvall's leadership, top executives throughout the area have united to recruit companies and organizations to join the Heart Walk, a year-round campaign aimed at raising funds and awareness to fight cardiovascular disease while equipping people with the education, knowledge and resources to act in the face of a cardiac emergency by learning CPR. CNY doctor warns of heart attack signs in women I have a deeply personal connection to the mission of the American Heart Association. Both my mother and my wife died unexpectedly from cardiac issues. I'm looking forward to bringing people together for a powerful cause, driving awareness and leading the change with a commitment to heart health and saving lives. Rich Duvall, North Star Health Alliance CEO The association has been saving lives for 100 years and has put a spotlight on CPR education as a critical element of the Heart Walk campaign. According to the association, nine out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die yet immediate CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival. Duvall and a team of top executive leaders are committed to ensuring that more people in the area are prepared to respond effectively in these life-or-death situations. The walk helps drive corporate involvement in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Northern New York. This year, companies participating in the Heart Walk will play a crucial role in the AHAs Nation of Lifesavers initiative, a national effort aimed at doubling cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. The year-round Heart Walk campaign will culminate on April 12 at Jefferson Community College. Hundreds of participants will walk to save lives while raising essential funds to advance lifesaving research, increase CPR education and training and drive equitable health for all people. Companies interested in participating can contact Stacy Spaziani at For more information about the Heart Walk, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health Beats: Dr. Aathi Thiyaga talks pain management innovations
In this recent edition of Carthage Area Hospital Health Beats, Dr. Aathi Thiyaga discusses cutting edge pain management procedures offered by North Star Health Alliance at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
