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Canton-Potsdam Hospital physicians seeking bigger role in mapping future of healthcare in North Country

Posted 10/11/14

POTSDAM -- Doctors at Canton-Potsdam Hospital are seeking a bigger say in the direction of health care in St. Lawrence County and the state. They are doing this through an unusual group membership of …

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Canton-Potsdam Hospital physicians seeking bigger role in mapping future of healthcare in North Country

Posted

POTSDAM -- Doctors at Canton-Potsdam Hospital are seeking a bigger say in the direction of health care in St. Lawrence County and the state.

They are doing this through an unusual group membership of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Physicians with privileges at CPH have entered into this group membership in the organization, an advocacy group for physicians and their patients.

The group membership is supported by the hospital and is one of the few of its kind in rural New York.

Michael Maresca, MD, Canton-Potsdam Hospital radiologist and chief of the medical staff, has been a member of the society for over 23 years and serves as the provider representative for CPH physicians.

“Given the healthcare changes in our state and country right now, our physicians want to be involved in shaping the type of healthcare that will be provided in St. Lawrence County and throughout the state,” said Maresca.

“If we’re not involved, we feel the terms decided for us may not benefit the health of our community as most of us wish. In practicing medicine, and given the dynamics of what’s occurring now, it’s up to the physicians, hospital personnel, and patients to have a voice and ensure accountability for what’s happening in St. Lawrence County,” Maresca said.

“EJ Noble Hospital is a perfect example. It was saddening to see the yellow ribbon around the parking lot during its closure in 2012; however, through physician advocacy, support, and the work of other St. Lawrence County organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy and United Helpers, the Gouverneur Hospital is now a stable, sound, and growing entity,” Maresca said, indicating what can be done by coordinated action.

Increases in the number of people seeking medical services and in the number of medical professionals practicing here offer an opportunity for innovation in a rural setting, something Maresca has promoted for years.

“Volumes and utilization are growing with new services and practitioners being added continuously. Emergency room visits, ambulatory outpatient visits in both lab and radiology, and inpatient volumes are all up. In addition, obstetrics and gynecology, a sleep lab, and echocardiography services have all been added with additional services coming in the near future. In my 22 years of working in Gouverneur, I am encouraged by the growth over the past year. With expanded services comes the need for trained staff. Gouverneur Hospital is now again hiring and bringing new jobs and opportunity to our county,” said Maresca.

“Medical staff members in this region have often been at the forefront of innovation that benefits patients,” said David Acker, FACHE, Canton-Potsdam Hospital President and CEO. “Medical staff members’ driving initiatives to create high-quality care has resulted in innovations that are felt throughout the community,” said Acker.

St. Lawrence County is represented by the Medical Society of New York State with provider membership from Canton-Potsdam, Claxton-Hepburn, Gouverneur, and Massena hospitals. The society serving the county has 89 active members and continues to increase in size yearly.