Author: Kelsey Carpe
St. Mary’s Healthcare Radiology Department – New State-Of-The-Art CT Scanner
St. Mary’s Healthcare Radiology Department is pleased to announce their newly upgraded CT Scanner. With the constant changes we see with technology the same goes for the advancement in medical technology. The new CT scanner is a Canon Aquilion Prime SP which is a CT system of choice for all imaging needs and will provide complete clinical capability. This upgraded machine allows for fast patient throughput to robust cardiac scanning and new diagnostic capabilities. This improvement leads to advancement not only with scanning capabilities but also patient experience. Capable of handling all patients from pediatric to bariatric, even the most challenging cases, while providing all staff with a fast and efficient solution regarding image quality. This CT scanner provides intelligent technology focused on patient safety. It also offers a wide open and low to the ground stance, to put patients at ease and allow improved access to the patient from the front and rear of the gantry to better position patients safely and comfortably by the push of a button.
Michael Young RT (R. CT), St. Mary’s CT Supervisor also mentioned “We have a CT Fluoroscopy that enables real time images of the body as we are doing a biopsy. Years ago, standard practice would be to take an image, walk outside the room, look at it, come back, take another image and walk outside the room. Now we can stay in the room, and it cuts down the time drastically. For example, most biopsy’s now take half the amount of time as they did before.”
Michael also noted another advancement with this new technology is the need for less radiation exposure to the patient. This system at St. Mary’s Healthcare uses less x-rays than the system it replaced. The new CT also has a component that incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) to make the most diagnostic images that the radiologist reviews in their reading. 
St. Mary’s is excited to be able to provide the utmost care to our patients with this newly enhanced CT Scanner offering a multitude of advancements for both patient experience and diagnostic capability. The newly designed ceiling featuring an image of blue sky and clouds in the diagnostic area also provides a sense of calmness for a more positive patient experience.
St. Mary’s Healthcare Recognizes Nurse – Mikala Foster – as Newest DAISY Awardee
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.
Tesiero Cancer Center Receives Donation From First Choice Federal Credit Union
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!
St. Mary’s Healthcare Donation Supports Over 5,000 Thanksgiving Meals
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 Welcomes New Chief Information 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.”
Laboratory service expanding to 5 days per week at all draw sites
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.
St. Mary’s Healthcare President and CEO Announces Retirement
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.
St. Mary’s Healthcare in Amsterdam, NY, offers breakthrough treatment for patients with chronic lower back pain
Dr. Joseph Popper, an orthopedic spine surgeon operating at St. Mary’s Healthcare, is one of the few doctors in the region to offer the Intracept procedure, an innovative, minimally invasive approach providing relief for patients suffering from chronic low back pain. On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the first two patients will be treated at St. Mary’s Healthcare with the clinically proven Intracept procedure.
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.
St. Mary’s Healthcare Expands Services with New Headache Center in Amsterdam, NY
St. Mary’s Healthcare is pleased to announce the opening of its new Headache Center, located at the St. Mary’s Rao Outpatient Pavilion, 4950 State Highway 30, Amsterdam, NY. The team is looking forward to seeing patients ages 17 and older with all types of headaches.
Focusing on Headache diagnosis and treatment, the St. Mary’s Healthcare Headache Center is
overseen by Jennifer Fiorini, Nurse Practitioner, who joins St. Mary’s after 11+ years in the field of general neurology. As stated by Jennifer, “there is a significant increase in our headache population
and it’s important that these patients receive early diagnosis and care for improved management”. Jennifer comes to St. Mary’s with an extensive history in neurology, driven by her love to care for patients with headaches and advocacy for patients with various headache diagnoses. To do this, and in addition to her new role at the St. Mary’s Healthcare Headache Center, Jennifer will continue to educate and train her peers across the United States on Botox administration for the treatment of chronic migraines as a consultant.
Jennifer joins St. Mary’s as an enthusiastic proponent for improving patients’ health and well-being. “My biggest joy is when a patient comes in, they have a BIG smile on their face and talk about everything other than headaches. They are planning their future for the first time ever!”
As an added benefit to our St. Mary’s Healthcare patients, the co-location of the Headache Center and services related to diagnosis and treatment including Laboratory & Imaging
services, Infusion Therapy and the new Retail Pharmacy are locally available services, all in the same building. “There are so many headaches out there, and this is an exciting time in headache medicine with many new preventive and abortive care treatments. Botox is only 1 type of treatment, and every treatment plan is uniquely created for each patient.”
For more information on the St. Mary’s Healthcare Headache Center and Jennifer Fiorini or to schedule an appointment, visit www.smha.org/headache or call (518) 839-0569.
NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project 2021 Quality Improvement Award
St. Mary’s Healthcare is the recipient of the NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project 2021 Quality Improvement Award. This award recognizes St. Mary’s participation in the NYS Obstetric Hemorrhage Project and their dedicated work to meet the project’s goal of assessing at least 85% of patients on admission to the birth hospitalization and during the postpartum period for risk of obstetric hemorrhage. As a project participant, St. Mary’s Healthcare worked to improve readiness to respond to an obstetric hemorrhage by implementing standardized policies and procedures; develop rapid response teams; improve recognition of obstetric hemorrhage by performing regular on-site multi-disciplinary hemorrhage drills; and improve reporting of obstetric hemorrhage by using standardized definitions, resulting in consistent coding.
St. Mary’s staff was commended for their exemplary work and commitment to this important cause. A quote from Scott Bruce, St. Mary’s Healthcare President and CEO reads: “What an outstanding achievement by the entire team in Maternity to elevate the level of care like this for our community! The statewide improvement in hemorrhage risk assessment, and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality is incredibly impressive, and it is great to see St. Marys’ contribution to that achievement recognized. Thank you very much for the efforts of the entire team and what they do every day to set the standard for care in our community!”
