Amsterdam’s St. Mary’s Healthcare Tesiero Cancer Center located in Amsterdam NY announces a generous donation that was recently received from the Gloversville Fire Department (GFD).

The (GFD) has chosen our center for this year’s donation as well as the previous year for 2021. They were able to collect $2,160.00 to donate! Mr. Nealon shared four members in the department have been affected by cancer, so the decision came easy when choosing the recipient to donate to for 2021 and 2022. We have seen an unfortunate increase in the number of patients that are struggling and could use our help. The generous donation is going to the Patient Care Fund, which will help to provide support to our cancer patients in various ways such as transportation, copays, medical bills, groceries or any needs that may arise.

Mr Nealon, from (GFD) presented the check to The Tesiero Cancer Center care team on Thursday, December 1st, 2022. A huge THANK YOU to (GFD) for this tremendous gift and supporting St. Mary’s and our patients!

St. Mary’s Healthcare Amsterdam Urgent Care congratulates Mikala Foster, LPN as the Newest DAISY Awardee!  Mikala’s nomination was submitted by a patient’s spouse who was forever grateful for Mikala’s compassion and positive approach. Mikala’s nomination read, “My husband was suffering from extreme pain in his shoulders and neck, he was anxious that it might be something serious. Mikala with her sunny disposition and funny quips was able to ease my husband’s anxiety and put him at ease. Mikala spreads sunshine wherever she goes. She is a huge asset to the unit and her profession.” Thanks to Mikala’s guidance and dedication to the Mission of St. Mary’s, she provided a positive experience to her patient when they were enduring pain and distress.

Pictured (left): Mikala Foster, LPN, holding her daisy award certificate, sculpture and flowers at the St. Mary’s Amsterdam Urgent Care

How to nominate a Nurse: Have you recently had an extraordinary experience with a nurse at St. Mary’s Healthcare? Please submit a DAISY Award nomination at the following link: www.smha.org/daisy    

About the DAISY Foundation:   

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)  The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. 

Amsterdam’s St. Mary’s Healthcare Tesiero Cancer Center located in Amsterdam NY announces a generous donation that was recently received from First Choice Federal Credit Union (FCFCU).

The First Choice Federal Credit Union has chosen St. Mary’s Tesiero Cancer Center for this year’s donation. They were able to collect $2,000.00 to donate! The Tesiero Cancer Center have seen an unfortunate increase in the number of patients that are struggling and could use our help. The generous donation is going to the Patient Care Fund, which will help to provide support to our cancer patients in various ways such as transportation, copays, medical bills, groceries or any needs that may arise.

The First Choice Federal Credit Union team presented the check to The Tesiero Cancer Center care team on Tuesday, November 15th. A huge THANK YOU to FCFCU for this tremendous gift and supporting St. Mary’s and our patients!

The Medical Executive Committee of St Mary’s Healthcare, composed of the physician leaders, met and discussed the community need around Thanksgiving time. More specifically, they discussed the hardship those in our community face in providing food and meals for their family. Impressed with the work of the Community Foundation of the Adirondack Foothills which serves 5000 Thanksgiving meals on Thanksgiving Day to residents in need in Montgomery and Fulton Counties, the Committee generously voted to donate $5,000 towards providing those Thanksgiving meals.

“We are very blessed as a medical staff at St Mary’s Healthcare and wanted to share a portion of that blessing with our community,” stated Dr. Kevin Cope, provider at St. Mary’s Broadalbin Perth Family Health Center.

The care and community support travels far beyond the walls of St. Mary’s Healthcare, and through supporting community organizations like the Community Foundation of the Adirondack Foothills, St. Mary’s better ensures its Mission of serving all with compassion and excellence.

If you too would like to donate towards this great cause, please visit www.foh2022.com

Pictured: (L to R) Brad Teetz and Tanya Lynnette Grimes from the Community Foundation of the Adirondack Foothills, Charles Schwartz, DO, Chair of the Medical Executive Committee, Dr. Craig van Roekens, Chief Medical Officer

St. Mary’s Healthcare is pleased to announce that Peter Gilhooly has joined the St. Mary’s team as Executive Director of Information Services (IS) and Chief Information Officer. Peter has more than 20 years of senior level leadership including Chief Information Officer experience through multiple technical, business, and health care positions, which have allowed him to become a seasoned, tech savvy IS leader with a focus in the medical field.

“St. Mary’s Healthcare continues to make advancements which include the expansion of locations and services throughout our care communities. As these initiatives are being developed and implemented, technology solutions are an integral piece to the success of each project,” stated Scott Bruce, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. “We’re excited to have Peter join St. Mary’s Healthcare, with his vast knowledge and experience, his leadership will better position St. Mary’s for the future.”

Previously, Peter served in executive level healthcare technology positions at MVP Healthcare, Albany Medical Center, Champlain Valley Medical Center, and most recently Glens Falls Hospital. A graduate of Fordham University in NYC, Peter built on his education with experience and excels in building high-performance teams, strategic planning, project management, and implementing best practice methodologies and improvement programs.

“The St. Mary’s organization and specifically this position, allows the opportunity to make change and be a part of a collaborative team that cares, both from a leadership perspective as well as a staff perspective. I’ve always heard great things about St. Mary’s Healthcare including the associates who work here, and my experience meeting everyone already has only reinforced that,” stated Peter Gilhooly. “Everyone has been tremendously welcoming, professional, and outgoing in terms of assisting me in getting up to speed with St. Mary’s priorities, history, and challenges. I look forward to continuing to align technology with the strategic business needs of the organization.”

The St. Mary’s Healthcare and our Laboratory Service is pleased to announce that it will be expanding laboratory service at our draw sites to 5 days per week effective the week of September 18.  Holland Circle Laboratory Services will also resume 5 days per week, but the hours will remain 8am – 12Noon through September.  Additionally, the Lab Service at RAO/OPP resumed operation until 4:30 pm effective September 6.  

EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 18  

• Canajoharie Lab Services will be open 7:30am to 3pm Monday through Friday.  

• Gloversville Lab and Johnstown Lab Services will both now open at 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday.   
• Holland Circle Lab Services will be open 8:00 am – 12Noon Monday – Friday.
   
• Rao Outpatient Pavilion Lab Services remains open 6:30am-4:30pm Monday – Friday and Saturdays by appointment.  

On behalf of the laboratory service, we appreciate everyone’s patience and support through this process. This change is designed to enhance the experience for all St. Mary’s associates and the entire patient community we serve. 

Amsterdam, NY – St. Mary’s Healthcare President and CEO, Scott Bruce, has announced his retirement effective later this year. Scott has a long and successful association with St. Mary’s Healthcare having worked at the organization for over 25 years where he has served in a variety of roles, his most recent being CEO. He is a servant leader and has dedicated himself to strengthening the Mission of St. Mary’s Healthcare and to improving access to health care services for our community.

Serving as the CEO throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic, Scott has made significant contributions in guiding St. Mary’s Healthcare during one of the most challenging times in healthcare.

Scott has also managed a number of important service expansion and construction projects including the award-winning Rao Pavilion which recently saw the expansion of Primary Care and a retail pharmacy, the establishment of several new Urgent Care, Specialty and other Primary Care Centers and the expansion of diagnostic and treatment services in Medical Imaging, Laboratory and the Surgical Suite. His role in the transitioning of Amsterdam Memorial Health Care into St. Mary’s Healthcare was integral to the success of that unification in 2009. Most recently during Scott’s leadership, St. Mary’s also expanded Behavioral Health services with a new addiction’s unit and walk-in access for any behavioral health need.

The next steps for St. Mary’s Healthcare and its Board of Directors will be to begin a national search for the next President and CEO. During this time, Scott will continue to work closely with his senior leadership team, Board of Directors and fellow St. Mary’s associates to address important priorities to ensure a successful future and transition for his successor.

The entire St. Mary’s Board of Director’s is extremely supportive of Scott’s decision and grateful for his many years of friendship, and leadership.

During this procedure, Dr. Popper uses a radiofrequency probe to ablate the nerves within the vertebrae of the lower back. The procedure disables the connection so pain signals from that area can no longer be transmitted to the brain. Most patients go home the same day, and most patients experience minimal post-procedure pain and generally quick recovery times. People often start to feel pain relief within two weeks after the intracept procedure. Significant improvement in pain and function provides clear proof of the effectiveness of this treatment.

“I’m very excited to offer the new Intracept procedure to patients at St. Mary’s Healthcare. This is a unique and advanced treatment which is the first of its kind to effectively treat a large group of patients with chronic back pain,” Dr. Popper said. “The 5 and 6 year evidence and scientific research that has gone into this procedure has proven it to be an effective and durable solution. Meaning, the effects of this procedure provide long-lasting pain relief for patients that previously had no other real options for effective minimally invasive treatment. “

Dr. Popper’s experience with minimally invasive procedures, including the Intracept, expands the opportunity for patients suffering from a wide range of spine-related issues to receive expert care close to home. In the past, the only options for treating this type of back pain were to perform a spinal fusion or to focus on pain management. The Intracept procedure provides a far less invasive procedure that keeps the structure of the spine intact.