Dear Friends and Neighbors,

What a difference a year can make!

Last year at this time, I’d just been named president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. It was a dream come true—an opportunity to lead an independent, locally based hospital whose overriding commitment is to provide high-quality personalized care close to home. I learned a great deal my first year, including that I am surrounded by talented people who are devoted to St. Mary’s Healthcare and invested in our success.

In 2023, St. Mary’s saw:

• More people expressing appreciation for the care they receive.
• More applicants wanting to join the St. Mary’s team.
• More patients coming to the hospital, indicating that those who’d been leaving the region for medical care are starting to return home to St. Mary’s.

These early results confirm my belief that when people work together, it’s amazing what we can accomplish.

I am aware that we still have much work to do. Like hospitals all over the country, St. Mary’s faces significant financial challenges. Furthermore, as a community hospital, we bear an additional
responsibility. We must strengthen St. Mary’s financial position now to ensure that our community continues to have a local hospital for years to come.

Given our exceptional St. Mary’s team and the outpouring of support from our community, I am optimistic about the year ahead. I’m confident more people will turn to St. Mary’s and, because
of their care experience, will make us their hospital of choice—especially since we’ll be expanding and enhancing services.

We have exciting plans for orthopedics, cancer care, OB/GYN, behavioral health, and advanced medical imaging. Although finances are tight, these plans will help us grow our way out of some
of the tight spots. We’ll also be smarter and more strategic in other areas, and we’ll continue to collaborate with organizations that share our values and commitment to excellent healthcare.

We hear a lot about today’s challenging healthcare environment—and with good reason. Even so, healthcare remains one of the only fields where we get to make a difference every day in the lives
of others. It’s a privilege to do the work we do, and we do not take that for granted.

Thank you for trusting St. Mary’s to take care of you and your loved ones. It’s a trust we will continue to work hard to earn and to keep.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Methven, President and CEO

A year ago, St. Mary’s Healthcare announced the appointment of President and CEO Jeff Methven and our determination to build on St. Mary’s strengths, improve our financial position and, most of all, ensure that our region continues to have access to quality healthcare from a local, independent community hospital.

Thanks to strong leadership by Jeff and our Board of Trustees—and the talented, dedicated St. Mary’s team—in 2023 we made great strides toward achieving these goals. Equally important, many in our community recognized these strides and came home to St. Mary’s instead of leaving the region for medical care.

Following are some of our accomplishments this past year:

Brought more of the care our community needs, closer to home

• Added more than a dozen providers in specialties including general surgery, primary care, outpatient behavioral health, inpatient mental health, and medical and radiation oncology.
• Welcomed Amsterdam Family Practice to St. Mary’s Healthcare and our medical group.
• Re-established inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services as a St. Mary’s service line.
• Reintroduced CT scanning at the Rao Pavilion.
• Re-opened beds to expand access to inpatient mental health care.

Strengthened our commitment to excellence

•  Earned National Committee for Quality Assurance status for 5 primary care centers.
• Received Blue Distinction Center recognition for expertise in maternity care.
• Achieved Joint Commission re-accreditation for an additional three years.
• Recognized for 100 years of membership with American Hospital Association.

Made investments for future strength and growth

• Purchased equipment to enhance imaging services, maternity and infant care, medication management, patient monitoring, ambulance communication, patient transport, and more.
• Completed exterior upgrades, including to the helipad and Guy Park Avenue campus.
• Enjoyed unprecedented recruiting success thanks, in part, to expanded outreach:
  • Filled key positions with outstanding professionals, including 85 former employees who chose to “come home” to St. Mary’s.
  • Welcomed 18 graduate nurses from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, 7 agency nurses who chose to join us as permanent team members, and 5 laboratory scientists who will be arriving from the Philippines soon.
  • Helped prepare future healthcare providers through our internship partnership with Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES.
  • Participated in 60+ career fairs. Hosted multiple Walk-In Wednesday and Nurses Night Out recruitment events.
• Enhanced associate advancement opportunities through Work/Earn/Learn, clinical ladder achievements, and other programs.
• Celebrated associate accomplishments and contributions
• Increased employee engagement through appreciation events and enhanced communications.

Re-energized essential community partnerships

• Benefited enormously from the generosity of our amazing Auxiliary. One of our staunchest supporters, the Auxiliary made a gift of $50,000 and held its 17th annual Christmas in November fundraiser for St. Mary’s.
• Brought our annual Foundation Gala home to Amsterdam’s Sanford Stud Farm and held our Memorial Golf Classic at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.
• Awarded Carondelet Community Fund Grants to local programs and agencies.
• Joined community service efforts: Earth Day clean-up, Project Bundle Up, Amsterdam Baby Shower, Montgomery County Office for Aging Senior Picnic, and many more.
• Expanded our affiliate agreements with educational institutions, including WSWHE (Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex) BOCES, Siena College, Hartwick College, and Utica University.
• Increased our involvement with a wide range of organizations, from Fulton-Montgomery Community College and Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES to Amsterdam Rotary Club, Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Montgomery County Office for Aging, to the Amsterdam Mohawks.

2023 was just the beginning. With the continued support of our community, St. Mary’s looks forward to even more success in 2024 and beyond.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2024—St. Mary’s Healthcare has once again been named a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

The Distinction Center designation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate their commitment to best practices and rigorous national standards for high-quality, effective maternity care.

 

“Our Blue Distinction recognition gives families yet another reason to choose St. Mary’s to deliver their baby,” said Julia Shafer, director of women and family services. “This official, objective mark of quality confirms what so many in our community have learned firsthand—that St. Mary’s provides exceptional, patient-centered maternity care.

“For first-time parents or those who are new to St. Mary’s,” she added, “Blue Distinction also offers an additional level of assurance that mom and baby will be in great hands.”

In fact, the latest data shows that Blue Distinction maternity facilities perform better than non-Blue Distinction Centers on key measures of quality. On average, Blue Distinction Centers report 26% fewer episiotomies, 60% fewer elective deliveries and 17% fewer cesarean births—all of which point to healthier outcomes for patients.

“Congratulations to the team at St. Mary’s Healthcare on achieving this important quality recognition,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Utica regional president. “The Blue Distinction designation is one more tool to help members make informed decisions about their healthcare.”

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2023—Jillian DeGiulio of Broadalbin has joined St. Mary’s Healthcare as director of benefits and employee relations.

DeGiulio has more than a decade of human resources experience. Most recently, she served as human resources manager at Hill & Markes in Amsterdam, where her responsibilities included developing and administering benefits programs and promoting an uplifting work environment.

A lifelong area resident, DeGiulio also has strong ties to the Fulton-Montgomery region.

“Along with her HR experience, Jillian brings a commitment to creating and sustaining a supportive work culture—one that values employees and, as a result, better serves our community,” said Lisa Mazzoccone, executive director of human resources and chief people officer at St. Mary’s Healthcare. “Our HR team plays a key role in supporting St. Mary’s continued growth, and Jillian is a welcome addition.”

DeGiulio earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany, State University of New York, and an advanced certificate in human resource management from Empire State University in Saratoga Springs. She also has an associate degree from Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

***

About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare system offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

 

Contact:

Kristin Mosher

Director, Marketing and Communications

St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam

(518) 770-7505

kristin.mosher@nysmha.org

Oct. 11, 2023—St. Mary’s Healthcare recently was recognized for its century of participation in the American Hospital Association and 120 years of service to the people and communities of the Fulton-Montgomery region.

American Hospital Association Regional Executive Michael Draine presented an award Oct. 4 to St. Mary’s President and CEO Jeff Methven. Draine cited the hospital’s longstanding membership and leadership in the association, as well as St. Mary’s commitment to “providing a full range of medical care that is tailored to each patient’s needs.”

Methven accepted the award on behalf of “the exceptional and dedicated associates of St. Mary’s.” He also acknowledged the American Hospital Association’s vital role in advocating for healthcare providers, working to protect access to care, and serving as a trusted source of education and information.

“AHA is an invaluable partner to St. Mary’s and thousands of other providers,” Methven said. “We appreciation the association’s support as we continue to seek new ways to improve the long-term health of our communities in an ever-changing healthcare environment.”

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Oct. 5, 2023— Dr. Choudhry Mumtaz has joined the primary care team at St. Mary’s Healthcare. He sees patients of all ages at the hospital’s Amsterdam Family Health Center in the Rao Outpatient Pavilion.

Dr. Mumtaz comes to St. Mary’s from St. Peter’s Health Partners, a member of Trinity Health. Previously, he was a family medicine physician and medical director at Crossroads Family Medicine of Mt. Vernon in Illinois. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

“Dr. Mumtaz is an excellent fit for St. Mary’s,” said Jeff Methven, St. Mary’s President and CEO. “He shares our mission and values, our dedication to caring for those who are underserved, and our commitment to meeting our community’s healthcare needs right here, close to home.”

Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Mumtaz earned a medical degree from Universidad Tecnolόgica de Santiago in the Dominican Republic. He completed a residency in family medicine at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Mumtaz is accepting new patients. For an appointment, call 518-841-3770.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2023—St. Mary’s Healthcare has named Lisa Mazzoccone executive director of human resources and chief people officer, responsible for human resource operations and workforce strategies.

Mazzoccone has more than 15 years of administration and leadership experience, most recently as senior director of operations at Jackson Lewis P.C., a national law firm focused on labor a

nd employment law. She is skilled in change management, leadership development, recruitment, and retention and has a track record of success in building and sustaining supportive work environments.

“Lisa brings broad HR experience plus impressive expertise in business strategy and operations,” said Jeff Methven, president and CEO of St. Mary’s

 Healthcare. “Those skills, along with her commitment to a positive work culture, make Lisa an excellent choice as we continue to expand our team and secure St. Mary’s position as our community’s first choice for healthcare.”

Mazzoccone also shares St. Mary’s commitment to caring for poor and vulnerable persons. A longtime Equinox volunteer, she delivers Thanksgiving meals to families in underserved communities. She also organizes a team each year to “adopt” three families in the New Lebanon Central School District and provide gifts to fulfill their holiday wishes.

Before joining Jackson Lewis, Mazzoccone worked as an office administrator for Wilson Elser, a national defense litigation firm, and as an executive assistant for the New York State Assembly. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Oneonta.

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About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare system offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., August 22, 2023—St. Mary’s Healthcare has awarded $11,000 in Carondelet Community Fund grants to 13 area nonprofits that share St. Mary’s values and mission. Together, the organizations provide much-needed support to people of all ages within St. Mary’s service area.

Grant recipients include:

• Broadalbin Perth Lions Foundation
• Catholic Charities Fulton-Montgomery Counties
• Comfort Zone-Trinity Lutheran Church
• Danielle’s House
• Grow Amsterdam
• Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County New York
• Haven of Hope Farm & Residence Inc.
• HFM Prevention Council-Creative Connections Clubhouse
• Johnstown Interfaith Council of Churches Food Pantry.
• Montgomery County – Office for Aging
• Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Volunteer Program
• New Dimensions
• Sarah Jane Sanford Home

“These organizations are invaluable partners, and our community and St. Mary’s are stronger because of them,” said Margaret Brodie, St. Mary’s vice president, mission advancement and patient experience. “With these grants, St. Mary’s recognizes both the essential work of these partners and their commitment to those we all serve.”

The Carondelet Community Fund was established in 1996 to honor and continue the spirit of St. Mary’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Grants are awarded annually by the St. Mary’s board of trustees to provide modest support to local programs and agencies that further the sisters’ tradition of outreach to the “dear neighbor.”

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Aug. 15, 2023—Five St. Mary’s Healthcare primary care practices have once again been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as New York State

Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

NYS PCMH certification, which acknowledges a commitment to patient-centered care and continuous quality improvement, has been awarded to the following:

• Amsterdam Family Health Center
• Canajoharie Family Health Center
• Gloversville Family Health Center
• Johnstown Family Health Center
• Northville Family Health Center

“Our NYS PCMH designation is a mark of quality and yet another reason for our community to choose St. Mary’s the next time they need care,” said Kathy Carbone, RN, manager of quality and risk management at St. Mary’s Healthcare. “When you come to these primary care practices, you can be confident that we place your needs first and do everything possible to provide the best patient experience.”

The PCMH model emphasizes team-based care, communication and coordination. Research shows that this approach can lead to better care while resulting in reduced healthcare costs. The PCMH model also helps primary care practices improve access to care, deliver more preventive services such as screenings and immunizations, and help patients manage chronic conditions.