Author: Kristin Mosher
Ask the Doctor: Dr. Santosh Vaghela
Q: Why should I do a sleep study and what will it involve?
A: Poor quality sleep is a major cause of illness. Untreated sleep disorders can have consequences on physical and mental health. Studies have shown that poor quality sleep can cause more poor cardiovascular outcomes, diabetes, weight gain, and weakened immune systems.
A sleep study is a very common, non-invasive medical test which can help diagnose a variety of conditions that may reduce the quality of your sleep. These include obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and narcolepsy.
A sleep lab is set up like a hotel room with a comfortable bed, recliner, TV, white noise machine, and private bathroom. You will be connected to several sensors that will monitor a variety of different factors throughout the night. But you will have full mobility. If you need to get up and use the restroom, you will be free to do so. The test is very comprehensive and provides a lot of information about the quality of your sleep and can help in determining the cause of your sleep issues.
Learn more about our Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine practice here.
St. Mary’s Healthcare Names Nursing Director—Women & Family Services
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2025—Macey Rorick of Broadalbin has been promoted to nursing director of women and family services at St. Mary’s Healthcare. She has more than a decade of nursing experience, including four years caring for mothers and newborns in the hospital’s Birthing Center.
Rorick has spent her entire nursing career at St. Mary’s. She joined as a registered nurse in a medical-surgical unit and gained additional experience in intensive care, progressive care, surgical care and maternity. She also has served as a preceptor for new nurses, helping them enhance their clinical skills and embrace the hospital’s culture of compassion.
“Macey is known for her dedication to exceptional care, her patients, and her colleagues,” said Julie Fenton, executive director of clinical operations at St. Mary’s Healthcare. “Her support for others and willingness to take on new challenges has earned the trust and respect of her team and the leadership at St. Mary’s.”
Rorick has a Master of Science in Nursing, with a specialization in nursing leadership and administration, from Capella University. She also has bachelor’s degrees from Capella University and the University at Albany. She is certified in electronic fetal monitoring and neonatal resuscitation.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
St. Mary’s Healthcare Names Nursing Director of Inpatient Behavioral Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 10, 2025
St. Mary’s Healthcare Names Nursing Director of Inpatient Behavioral Health
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2025—Margaret Sullivan has been named nursing director of inpatient behavioral health at St. Mary’s Healthcare, a leading provider of behavioral health services in the Fulton-Montgomery region. The new position reflects the local independent hospital’s responsiveness to community needs and its longstanding commitment to quality behavioral health care.
A registered nurse, Sullivan has more than 33 years of experience, including two decades overseeing clinical care and operations in behavioral health units. She comes to St. Mary’s from United Health Services Binghamton General Hospital, where she served as interim director of nursing for the hospital’s behavioral health and emergency service lines.
Previously, Sullivan held behavioral health leadership and management positions in two Mount Sinai Health System hospitals in New York City; Montefiore Nyack Hospital in Nyack, New York; Belmont Behavioral Health Hospital in Philadelphia; and, locally, at Ellis Medicine in Schenectady and Samaritan Hospital in Troy.
“In addition to strong leadership and clinical skills, Margaret shares St. Mary’s dedication to compassionate evidence-based care—and to a supportive work culture,” said Jeff Methven, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. “She is an excellent addition to our team as we continue to prioritize behavioral healthcare for our community.”
Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and a master’s degree in nursing from Excelsior University in Albany. She is a long-time volunteer for GYRB-Get Your Rack Back.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
Ask The Doctor: Ronald R Marsh, MD
Q: I’m scheduled to have “robotic surgery.” That makes me a little nervous. Who’s doing the surgery, the doctor or a robot?
A: I understand how you might feel a bit nervous about a term like “robotic surgery.” But let me reassure you that your surgeon will be very much in control during the procedure.
In robotic surgery, the surgeon uses a computer-assisted robotic system to perform the surgery. This technology improves the surgeon’s capabilities by providing more precision, flexibility and control than the more conventional techniques.
Also, you should know that robotic surgery is not new. It has a proven track record over decades now. This kind of surgery is often associated with less pain, quicker recovery, smaller incisions, and reduced risk of infection compared to traditional surgeries.
If you have any more specific concerns, or need details about the surgery, it’s a good idea to discuss them directly with your surgeon. He or she can provide the best explanations and reassurances based on your specific situation and the type of surgery being performed.
St. Mary’s Resumes OB/GYN Care at Johnstown Family Health Center, Improving Access to Women’s Health Services in Fulton County
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2025—St. Mary’s Healthcare is once again providing OB/GYN care in Johnstown, increasing access to women’s health services in Fulton County.
OB/GYN providers now see patients Monday through Thursday at the hospital’s Johnstown Family Health Center at 700 South Perry Street. St. Mary’s also continues to provide OB/GYN care at its OB/GYN Health Center on the main hospital campus.
St. Mary’s temporarily halted women’s healthcare services in Johnstown during the COVID-19 pandemic, in part due to staffing shortages. Additional providers have since joined the OB/GYN team. As a result, Dr. James Izzano, Physician Assistant Alisa Amell, Certified Nurse Midwife Stacy Arminio and Family Nurse Practitioner Taylor Fadrowski each provide care one day a week in the Johnstown office.
“We know that convenience makes an enormous difference in patients’ ability to access quality healthcare and realize the resulting benefits,” Dr. Izzano said. “As part of our commitment to our patients, we were determined to return to Johnstown as soon as staffing would allow. That time has come, and we are thrilled to be honoring that commitment.”
The practice is accepting new patients in Johnstown and Amsterdam. For an appointment, call (518) 842-0373.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
A Message from Jeff: Promises Made, Promises Kept and Promises to Fulfill
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy 2025! At St. Mary’s Healthcare, we begin this new year with pride in our recent accomplishments, determination to continue on our path of progress, and gratitude for the privilege of serving this community.
Unlike most hospitals, St. Mary’s remains an independent, locally based organization—by choice. We feel strongly that our community is better served by a hospital with deep local ties, a unique understanding of our region’s healthcare needs, and an unwavering commitment to meet those needs close to home. We hear, over and over again, from community members who feel the same way.
The current healthcare environment presents significant challenges for smaller community hospitals, requiring us to be more strategic and innovative at virtually every turn. On behalf of our Board of
Trustees, leadership team, and all our associates, I am pleased to report that St. Mary’s is rising to the occasion.
In 2024, St. Mary’s:
- Served more patients, including many who have now made us their provider of choice.
- Streamlined our hiring process, added more team members to accommodate our growth, and made strides in creating a culture of caring, collaboration, and inclusion.
- Forged partnerships with other local providers to ensure continued access to vital services right here in our region.
- Invested in technology, new services, and our people.
- Honored our longstanding commitment to caring for those who are underserved.
- Strengthened our connections with our community.
While these are promising results, we still have much work ahead of us. Like hospitals throughout the U.S., our expenses outpace reimbursement, and St. Mary’s must improve our financial position. What sets us apart, however, is our conviction that the way to achieve this is to focus on strategic growth. We are identifying, adding, and bolstering programs that our community needs and deserves to have locally.
Because St. Mary’s believes in transparency, I will not be shy about asking for your help. We need you to support your community hospital—to turn to us first for healthcare, recommend us to others,
and support our fundraising efforts. We also ask that you let us know when we meet or exceed your expectations and when we can do better.
In return, we pledge to continually strive to provide the exceptional personal care that is the hallmark of a community hospital. We view every interaction as an opportunity to continue to earn and maintain your trust. Thank you for choosing St. Mary’s and for contributing to our sustained growth and success in the coming year.
With best wishes,
Jeff Methven, President & CEO
St. Mary’s Healthcare
Neena Rao Family Health Center Joins St. Mary’s
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2025—Dr. Govind Rao, one of the region’s most beloved, respected physicians, is partnering with St. Mary’s Healthcare to ensure continued access to exceptional care for patients at the region’s largest pediatric practice.
As of Jan. 7, Dr. Rao and his team are in practice at Neena Rao Family Health Center at 442 ½ Guy Park Avenue, a hospital-owned building on the St. Mary’s Hospital campus. Their patients continue to receive the same high-quality care, from the same providers—in a new location.
The collaboration helps secure the future of a practice that has served the region’s pediatric and adolescent patients for more than half a century, regardless of families’ ability to pay. As a service of the hospital’s professional corporation, Carondelet Regional Medical, the practice can now provide more seamless access to imaging and other specialty services through St. Mary’s Healthcare.
“Dr. Rao and his family exemplify selflessness, compassion, and generosity,” said Jeff Methven, St. Mary’s president and CEO. “We are honored and grateful that Dr. Rao has entrusted St. Mary’s to build on his legacy by upholding the core values of his practice and enhancing the care and services available to his patients.”
The partnership with Dr. Rao is the latest example of St. Mary’s strategy to forge alliances with local providers to enable the rural community hospital to continue to grow while remaining independent.
On Jan. 1, St. Mary’s Healthcare, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, and Mohawk Valley Orthopedics launched a partnership that clears the way for them to collaborate on orthopedic care. In 2023, Amsterdam Family Health joined St. Mary’s to partner on providing primary care services.
“St. Mary’s is determined to provide both the scope of services our region deserves and the personalized, compassionate care that is the hallmark of a community hospital,” Methven said. “We see enormous value in developing strategic relationships with like-minded, trusted partners.”
Dr. Rao moved to Amsterdam in 1972 and has been enhancing the health and quality of life in the community ever since as a pediatrician, as medical director for the Montgomery County Public Health Department, and via his philanthropy.
Through their Neena Rao Charitable Corporation, Dr. Rao and his wife, Jyothi Rao, consistently provide critical support to local organizations that serve the most vulnerable: children, veterans, seniors, those who are homeless, and countless others in need. The Rao family is among St. Mary’s most generous supporters, giving $1 million to the campaign to build the hospital’s Rao Outpatient Pavilion.
“There are no better partners than Dr. Rao and the Rao family—for St. Mary’s and the region we serve,” Methven said.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
Regional Hospitals Partner to Ensure Local Access to Orthopedic Care
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Nathan Littauer Hospital launch Fulton-Montgomery Medical
Mohawk Valley Orthopedics joins as first service line.
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Jan. 2, 2025—Three long-standing, independent regional providers—St. Mary’s Healthcare, Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, and Mohawk Valley Orthopedics—have joined forces to ensure that orthopedic care is available where residents need it most: close to home.
The two hospitals have launched Fulton-Montgomery Medical, a professional corporation that enables them to partner in attracting and retaining much-needed providers and medical practices.
The joint venture already is having the desired effect. As of January 2025, Mohawk Valley Orthopedics, the leading sports medicine and orthopedic group for the Mohawk Valley Region, will become a service of Fulton-Montgomery Medical, PC.
“Mohawk Valley Orthopedics has been providing excellent care, right here in Fulton and Montgomery counties, for decades,” said Sean Fadale, president and CEO of Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home. “This new partnership enables patients to continue to receive the highest level of care from two exceptionally skilled orthopedic surgeons—Dr. Russell Cecil and Dr. Gerald Ortiz—whom our community already know and trust.”
As partners in Fulton-Montgomery Medical, St. Mary’s and Nathan Littauer will collaborate to ensure continued, ease of access to orthopedic care locally. Equally important, the hospitals will partner in recruiting additional providers to expand the scope of services offered by the practice to meet the growing orthopedic needs of the region.
The hospitals anticipate that the joint-venture may present additional opportunities to improve local access to other services that can have a positive impact on community health and quality of life.
“This collaborative approach benefits everyone involved: the hospitals, the individual medical practices and, above all, our community,” said Jeffrey Methven, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare. “Through this partnership, we can pool limited resources for certain service lines, enhance our ability to reduce duplicate expenses, and free those funds to invest in attracting and retaining highly qualified specialists. That, in turn, will result in improved, more seamless access to care.”
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About Fulton-Montgomery Medical, PC: A joint venture of St. Mary’s Healthcare and Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home, Fulton-Montgomery Medical, PC, was founded in fall 2024 to help ensure continued, seamless access to essential care locally. Instead of competing on certain service lines, the two independent community hospitals created a vehicle to collaborate in attracting and retaining physicians and other providers. Orthopedics is the first specialty under this new partnership.
Dr. Karen Krutchick Joins St. Mary’s Healthcare – Canajoharie Family Health Center
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 17, 2024— Dr. Karen Krutchick has joined St. Mary’s Healthcare – Canajoharie Family Health Center. She brings more than a decade of urgent care and family medicine experience, most recently at a primary care practice in Galway.
Dr. Krutchick was drawn to St. Mary’s by the opportunity to practice at a community hospital that welcomes providers’ input on ways to enhance patient care. Her focus is on caring for the whole person and working with patients to achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
“Dr. Krutchick shares St. Mary’s commitment to excellence, compassion, collaboration and continuous quality improvement,” said Jeff Methven, St. Mary’s president and CEO. “Both St. Mary’s and our patients will benefit enormously from having her on our team.”
A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Dr. Krutchick earned her medical degree and completed a family medicine residency at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Life Sciences. She is board certified in family medicine and is a member of the American Association of Family Physicians and the New York State Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Krutchick is accepting new patients. For an appointment, call St. Mary’s Healthcare – Canajoharie Family Health Center at (518) 673-2573.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
Three New Trustees Join St. Mary’s Healthcare Board
AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2024—St. Mary’s Healthcare has named three new members—Nancy Baghaei-Rad, Ph.D., Joel Bien-Aime and Richard Vertucci—to the hospital’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Baghaei-Rad, of Amsterdam, has been an educator for nearly 40 years, including 16 in teaching, administrative and leadership roles in the Greater Amsterdam School District. Currently, she is principal of William Barkley Elementary School. Dr. Baghaei-Rad earned a doctoral degree in education from Northcentral University in Arizona (now National University) and master’s degrees from the College of St. Rose in Albany and Lesley College in Massachusetts. She is president of the Mental Health Association in Fulton and Montgomery Counties and a member of professional organizations including Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society for Education; the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children. Honors include the Mental Health Association Ruth S. Voorhees Appreciation Award, Zonta Yellow Rose Award, and the Friend of Education Award from the School Administrators Association of New York State.
Bien-Aime, of Johnstown, heads New Process Cleaners, which his family has owned since 1996. Previously, he worked in human services at the ARC Lexington, Saratoga ARC (now Saratoga Bridges) and the state Office of Children and Family Services. Bien-Aime earned an associate degree in business administration from Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC), where he was instrumental in founding the club now known as the Black and Latino Student Association. In 2022, in recognition of his accomplishments within and beyond FMCC, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus. Bien-Aime is a member of several dry-cleaning organizations, the Amsterdam Rotary Club and the Johnstown Lions Club.
Vertucci, of Amsterdam, is a lifelong resident of the city, owns two local businesses—Rick’s Robo Car Wash and Gabriel Sealcoating—and has a record of community service. He recently received the 2024 Fr. Joseph F. Girzone Crystal Pillar of the Community Award from the Montgomery County Office for Aging for his commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the county’s older citizens. Vertucci is a longtime member of the Amsterdam Rotary Club and a recipient of its Citizen of the Year Award. A past vice president of the Foundation of St. Mary’s Healthcare, he volunteers with Leatherstocking Honor Flight and is founder and president of the Mohawk Valley Sharp Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Vertucci also holds annual fundraisers to benefit many area nonprofits and community organizations. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, with majors in magazine journalism, political science and American history.
“Nancy, Joel and Rick bring invaluable skills, experiences, and perspectives to the board,” St. Mary’s President and CEO Jeff Methven said. “Equally important, they share our belief in the vital role of independent community hospitals and our commitment to continue to grow St. Mary’s and secure its position as the first choice for healthcare in our region.”
The new members join board Chairperson Michael Pepe, Montgomery County legislator and retired bank executive; Vice Chairperson Benjamin Ziskin, retired NBT Bank executive; Treasurer Thomas Cichy, retired CPA and partner, Lutz, Selig & Zeronda; Secretary Mohammad R. Ghazi, MD, St. Mary’s urologist; Rev. O. Robert DeMartina, Albany Catholic Diocese; Emily Etzkorn, MD, private internal medicine and pediatrics practice; Andrew Heck, president, Alpin Haus; Mary Anne Heenan, CSJ, province director, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet; Ronald Marsh, MD, St. Mary’s Healthcare, general surgeon; Methven; Jason Packer, former CEO, Hill and Markes; David Santos, vice president, D.A. Collins Construction; and emeritus member Susan L. Davis, Ed.D, RN, FACHE.
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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.
Contact:
Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505