News
Massena Memorial Hospital is proud to provide care to our community. Our doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Every year, we serve thousands of individuals and keep our community healthy, strong, and vibrant. This record of service is and always will be our most valuable contribution to the community.
Hospitals strengthen the infrastructures of local communities. Communities rely on their local hospitals and health systems to:
> provide high-quality health care
> bring life into the world
> care for the aged
> ensure safety when an emergency or disaster strikes
> educate people about the impact of lifestyles on their health and well-being; and
> provide comfort at the end of life.
"We realize our success is due to the support of our physicians and the trust the patients place in Massena Memorial Hospital, in allowing us to treat them and their family members," said Charles F. Fahd, II, Chief Executive Officer. "We review the report from HANYS and relate it to the tremendous undertakings that the hospital continues to meet and improve the facility, add new services and equipment along with a healthy financial base for continued improvements."
Less often recognized is the hospital's contribution to the local economy, including the people it employs, the impact of its spending, and the effect of hospital employees' spending and the taxes they pay. Massena Memorial Hospital is critical to the economic viability of our community. Massena Memorial Hospital is a major source of employment and purchaser of goods and services, as well as providing health care that allows people to be productive citizens.
This report, prepared with assistance from the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS), highlights the significant role Massena Memorial Hospital plays within our local community. It identifies and measures the direct involvement of Massena Memorial Hospital on the local economy and demonstrates the "ripple" effect of the dollars the health care sector brings into the community and the jobs it helps create. In addition, it illustrates the benefit the hospital provides for a safe, stable, and healthy community.
Massena Memorial Hospital is an Economic Anchor in Our Community.
In addition to enhancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve, Massena Memorial Hospital contributes significantly to the area's economic health. In 2006, we had an estimated total annual economic impact of $75,166,000. The hospital is a major employer that employs over 400 people, with a total payroll of $21,532,000. Hospital payroll expenditures serve as an important economic stimulus, creating and supporting jobs throughout the local and state economies.
Dollars earned by Massena Memorial Hospital employees and spent on groceries, clothing, mortgage payments, rent, etc., generate approximately $41,574,000 in economic activity for the local economy.
Massena Memorial Hospital purchasing power spends about $13,276,000 per year on the goods and services it needs to provide health care—for example, medical supplies, electricity for its buildings, and food for patients. Funds spent to buy goods and services flow from the hospital to vendors, businesses, and then ripple throughout the economy. In fact, dollars spent by Massena Memorial Hospital generate approximately $25,633,000 for the local economy.
Massena Memorial Hospital Capital Spending in 2006, spent $4,122,000 on buildings and equipment. Capital spending by the hospital generates approximately $7,959,000 for the local economy per year.
The employees of Massena Memorial Hospital and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility paid $1,272,000 in state and local income taxes in 2006. Furthermore, the employees of Massena Memorial Hospital and the jobs supported indirectly by the facility paid $886,000 in local sales tax and $788,000 in state sales tax. Funds spent to buy goods and services flow from the hospital to its vendors and businesses and then "ripple" throughout the economy.
MMH spends in excess of $2.5 million on capital equipment in 2006 and over $26 million on major construction, renovation and capital equipment over the last decade, which flows into our regional economy.
Through programs aimed at preventing disease before it occurs, Massena Memorial Hospital saves individuals and the community millions of dollars in treatment costs and lost earnings. Massena Memorial works in a joint effort to help support the Massena Free Clinic with ancillary services. In 2006, MMH offered nearly $110,000 in free ancillary care to patients of the Massena Free Clinic. Each month the hospital sponsors community education seminars presented by the medical staff and health care professionals at Massena Memorial. Additionally the hospital sponsors support groups and the Mall Walkers program.
Through screening programs, Massena Memorial Hospital is able to detect medical conditions in the population earlier, thus lowering the costs of treatment. Such as the annual cholesterol, glucose and PSA screening the hospital is committed to doing each year.
Massena Memorial Hospital cares for our community in providing vital health care services to our community. In 2006, we had:
>3,527 inpatient visits,
> 118,671 outpatient visits and procedures, and
> 3,666 emergency room visits.
Hospitals are critical to New York's quality of life and to keeping communities healthy and vibrant. Massena Memorial Hospital is a major contributor to both the local and state economies and to keeping families healthy and secure by providing needed health care services.
The data contained in this report provide strong evidence that the economic benefit of our hospital on the local and state economies is significant. To continue to attract jobs to and maintain families in New York State, it is critical that the state have high-quality health care providers and services. We urge our legislators, members of Congress, and community leaders to recognize that our hospital is instrumental to supporting the state and local economy and that step need to be taken to continue to invest in our state's health care system.
When talking with many of the department managers throughout the hospital, they said the reason for the hospital true success is the staff, physicians, and volunteers. Massena Memorial Hospital has over 400 employees; 45 physicians and hundreds of volunteers. When it comes to basic healthcare procedures, most hospitals are alike. "What makes Massena Memorial Hospital different from most, would be the people who do the caring," added Fahd.
BRASHER FALLS AND NORFOLK FAMILY OUTREACH CLINICS EXPAND HOURS TO ACCOMODATE PATIENTS. DR MICHELLE EDWARDS AND NP SHERYL DRESSER JOIN FAMILY OUTREACH CLINICS.
Brasher Falls Family Health Center welcomes a new Director/Nurse Practitioner and a Family Practice Physician. Massena Memorial Hospital Charles F. Fahd, II, Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the Brasher Falls Family Health Center is open five days a week with expanded hours and two practitioners.
Sheryl Dresser, MS, RN, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Michelle Edwards are now seeing patients at the Brasher Falls Family Health Center Monday through Friday.
"Massena Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing much needed healthcare to the communities we serve," explained Fahd. "Our outreach clinic program brings primary healthcare close to the families we serve to their own community and now the clinic will be open five days a week."
Dr. Edwards joins Nurse Practitioner Dresser this month to offer additional services to the community. Dr. Edwards prefers to practice in a patient-centered primary care outpatient setting. "As a family physician, I care for men, women and children of all ages," she stated. "My interests include pediatrics, women's health, and patient education."
Dr. Edwards received her Doctorate of Medicine from MCP Hahnemann University, now Drexel University School of Medicine. She completed her three year residency program at Franklin Square Family Practice Residency in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Edwards is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Women's Association.
Nurse Practitioner Dresser is a dedicated primary care practitioner who loves to work in an outpatient clinic setting. The New York State native from Rochester came to the North Country in 2005, where she worked in local primary care, university, and after-hours clinics in the Potsdam area.
Her philosophy in her practice is to treat the patient, rather than the disease. "I like to provide patient care as a whole and encourage the patient to be an active participant in their own healthcare," Dresser explained. "I love an outreach clinic because I get to help the whole family, I want to work with a population that I know and who get to know me."
Dresser received her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner Program from the University of Rochester. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from U of R where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She has eight years of clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse.
"We are very happy Dr. Edwards and Sheryl Dresser have joined the hospital’s North Country Family Health Network and working in the Brasher clinic," said Mark Brouillette, Senior Director of Ancillary and Outreach Services.
For an appointment or more information about the Brasher Falls Family Health Center, please call 389-4525. The clinic is located at 3 Cudlipp Drive in Brasher Falls. The hours of operation are:
Monday 8 am ~ 12 noon
Tuesday 11 am ~7 pm
Wednesday 9 am ~ 5 pm
Thursday 9 am ~ 5 pm
Friday 9 am ~ 12 noon.
Nurse Practitioner Dresser and Physician Assistant David Tisdale also sees patients at the Norfolk Family Health Center. For an appointment or more information about the Norfolk Family Health Center, please call 384-4550. The clinic is located at 42 West Main Street in Norfolk. The hours of operation are:
Monday 1 – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am – 5 p.m.
Friday 1 – 5 pm.
Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recognized a director for her years of service to the Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board. Helen White has served on the hospital's Auxiliary Board along with volunteering in the Gift Shop, Physical Therapy and many of the hospital community events. The Auxiliary presented White with a bouquet of flowers.
The Auxiliary is an enthusiastic group of nearly 180 persons who devote time and energy to support the workings of Massena Memorial Hospital through financial support, volunteer in-hospital deeds, and/or fund raising efforts within the community. A $5 annual fee will entitle a person to membership status: active or inactive. From time to time for major fund raising activities, an inactive member may be asked to contribute in some small way. However, an active member is one who volunteers time on a regular basis. To do this, a volunteer would need to select an area of service, which would best suit the individual’s talents and availability.
How do volunteers get involved? In the hospital, a volunteer can get involved with Hostess Committee, Beverage Cart, Gift Shop, Medical Library, Information Desk, and Patient Gifts. Other areas of volunteering include: Record keeping, Telephone work, Publicity, Community Health-Programs, Special Fund Raisers or community projects and the Annual Basket Drawing.
How much time is involved if you join the MMH Auxiliary? This really depends on the area of service and how much time can be volunteered by and individual.
Are there meetings to attend? General meetings are a business/social affair, open to all members, active or inactive. They are held the fourth Wednesday in January, May and October and convene at a local restaurant. Although members are encouraged to attend, meetings are not obligatory. Usually an entertaining program follows the lunch, so it is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, renew friendships, and enjoy an afternoon. Notifications are sent to all members. Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, except July and August, and are attended by the officers, directors, and committee chairpersons.
If you would like further information on becoming an Auxiliary Volunteer at Massena Memorial Hospital, please call MMH Public Relations at 769-4305.
The Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently presented a check to the hospital to help purchase equipment for the hospital. Tina Corcoran, Senior Director of Public Relations/Planning was presented with a check for $9,726, from Auxiliary at their annual January luncheon. Presenting the check to Corcoran are members of the Auxiliary Board of Directors, Lois Badger, President, Teresa Dufrense, Treasurer, Noreen Helmer, Jean DesLisle Kathy Adams, Becky Shaw, Marlene Dewey and Rosalie Hamel.
This year’s donation will go toward the purchase of a new Patient Phlebotomy Chair for the Phlebotomy Center adjacent to Registration. This is for comfort and convenience of the patients, each morning the Phlebotomy Center serves between 350-400 outpatients a day.
Additionally, proceeds will go toward a Pigg-O-Stat Pediatric Immobilizer– for the Medical Imaging. This piece of equipment is used pediatric patients during a medical imaging exam. Pediatric motion is the number one reason for re-exposure and repeat of exams. Immobilization devices are routinely used to assist in immobilization of children during procedures to reduce motion and subsequent repeat exposure.
The Auxiliary is donating the proceeds of their annual basket raffle to purchase Family-Visitor Waiting Area Furniture for the Maternity-Medical- Pediatric Unit. Family members wait many times hours for patients or Moms in labor. This is for comfort for family members and visitors while loved ones are in the hospital
Over the years, the hospital Auxiliary has given over $150,000 to the hospital for medical equipment. Other items include: Mammography equipment, a whirlpool for the Tender Touches Birthing Center, to help laboring moms; a Dialysis Patient Scale, a treadmill for the Stress Lab; EKG Vision Holter System and Holter Recorder, a gastro scope for the Endoscopy Department; and a 3-D Ultra Sound/Electrical Stimulation Unit, for Physical Therapy Department.
The Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary raises money with special projects throughout the year to purchase equipment or enhance patient care at the hospital. Anyone interested in offering a few hours of volunteer time can join the hospital Auxiliary at anytime. The Auxiliary has projects continuously throughout the year, and services within the hospital.
The Auxiliary aid in many volunteer efforts; such as the Information Desk, Gift Shop Patient Juice Cart, community health fairs and seminars, just to name a few. There are over 180 Auxiliary members who have baked, sewn, counted, poured, carried smiled, directed, sold, informed and most of all given of themselves countless hours to help others and the hospital. For more information about the Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, please call MMH Public Relations at 769-4305.
Brasher Falls Family Health Center and Norfolk Family Health Center welcomes a new Director and Nurse Practitioner. Charles F. Fahd, II, Chief Executive Officer, Massena Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce Sheryl Dresser, MS, RN, Family Nurse Practitioner is the new Director of the Brasher Falls Family Health Center and the Norfolk Family Health Center.
"Massena Memorial Hospital is dedicated to providing much needed healthcare to the communities we serve," explained Fahd. "Our outreach clinic program brings primary healthcare close to the families we serve to their own community."
Dresser is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner who loves to work in an outpatient clinic setting. The New York State native from Rochester came to the North Country in 2005, where she worked in local primary care, university and after hours clinics in the Potsdam area.
Her philosophy in her practice is to treat the patient, rather than the disease. "I like to provide patient care as a whole and encourage the patient to be an active participant in their own healthcare," Dresser explained. "I love an outreach clinic because I get to help the whole family, I want to work with a population that I know and who get to know me."
Dresser received her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner Program from the University of Rochester. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from U of R where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She has eight years of clinical experience as a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse.
"We are very happy Sheryl has joined the hospital's North Country Family Health Network in becoming the director of both the Brasher and Norfolk clinics," said Mark Brouillette, Senior Director of Ancillary and Outreach Services.
For an appointment or more information about the Brasher Falls Family Health Center, please call 389-4525. The clinic is located at 3 Cudlipp Drive in Brasher Falls. The hours of operation are: Monday 8 am-12 noon
Tuesday 3-7 p.m.
Wednesday 1-5 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m.-12 noon.
For an appointment or more information about the Norfolk Family Health Center, please call 384-4550. The clinic is located at 42 West Main Street in Norfolk.
The hours of operation are
Monday 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday 11 am-2 p.m.
Wednesday 9 am-12 noon
Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Friday 1-5 pm.
Medical Imaging
Sees New Views
March 2006 -- Patient comfort, privacy and state-of-the-art imaging for quality patient care are the motivation for the full re-design of Massena Memorial Hospital 's Medical Imaging Department.
"The hospital's Board of Managers, Physicians and Administration saw a need to re-design and upgrade the Medical Imaging to make it the most state-of-the-art, patient welcoming department in the North Country," said Mark Brouillette, Senior Director Ancillary Services. "With the upgrade, MMH imaging is the best equipped, but has the best Medical Imaging Staff of technologists and Radiologists. We want to make sure our staff has the best tools of their trade to ensure patients have the best images and diagnostic treatment available."
"The hospital's Medical Imaging Department has undergone vast improvements with diagnostic imaging equipment, including a multi-slice CT scanner," says Terence Schumpert , M.D. , Radiologist/Medical Director. "These improvements provide greater speed and productivity while allowing for new exciting possibilities in imaging the human body that will result in better detection of certain diseases."
Massena Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce completion of the 8500 square foot three million dollar project to improve and expand its Medical Imaging services. The project increased the overall size of Medical Imaging by 40%. But increased space was not the sole factor behind the changes.
"Patient comfort and privacy were the motivating factors in the design changes," noted Robert Elsner , Director, Medical Imaging. "As services expanded over the year, we found ourselves having to utilize existing spaces. With this project we were able to focus on designing new rooms and amenities based upon the needs of our patients and physicians."
Nowhere is this more evident, than in the new Women's Imaging Center . The Women's Imaging Center is a facility within a facility and is home to the two-mammography suites and two ultrasound suites. These rooms are spacious, private, and designed to provide maximum comfort. A separate waiting area provides additional privacy.
This attention to detail and design extended throughout the project with each renovated room being expanded as necessary to accommodate, not only the new equipment, but with patient comfort and privacy in mind.
From the spectacular new waiting area to the expanded Computerized Tomography (CT) suite, visitors and patients will notice the changes. We even have beautiful fall foliage ceiling for our patients to enjoy while undergoing their CT scan.
New equipment and technology has been installed that will do great things for our community. At the forefront of this technology is our new Siemens Somatom Sensation, multi-detector Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner. This scanner will bring a host of new vascular imaging previously unavailable locally. The ability of this system to perform detailed "virtual" voyages of the body and reconstructs structures in 3-dimensional services and care to our community. The Imaging Department will be able to offer a range of cardiac and planes and color will be invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of our patients.
Additionally, MMH has the Philips iU22 ultrasound scanner, which offers detailed analysis of small parts without the shadowing, and streaking associated with older technology. As with our CT scanner, the Philips iU22 can be upgraded and expanded to perform a host of services not previously available to our physicians. MMH has added a new remote fluoroscopic room, the Siemens ICONOS R200. This unit essentially upgrades our "live" x-ray capabilities producing digital images at a significant dose reduction to both patients and staff. Sometimes it is not only what "new" services or technology that is important, but can you provide it more efficiently and safely.
X-ray systems can last a long time. In fact, our new Siemens MULTIX general-purpose x-ray room allows a technologist to lower the table to accommodate the patient. This may not seem like a "fancy" feature, but it makes a difference to the patient's safety and comfort.
Future planning for the What's next for the Medical Imaging Department, a PAC system, Pictorial Archival Computer System, and fixed MRI .
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