MASSENA -- Massena Memorial Hospital has formed a new Public Relations Committee.

It includes representatives of the Massena Memorial Hospital Board of Managers, Massena Town Council, medical staff, administration, and union members from Civil Service Employees Association and New York State Nurses Association.

The committee was created amid turmoil between the town-owned hospital and Town Council that has spilled over into public, and caused public backlash against town lawmakers from town residents and MMH employees.

The committee met for the first time during the week of March 4 and “agreed to move forward with positive messages together about the hospital, staff and many accomplishments of MMH,” an MMH news release says.

The members of the group have been working tirelessly toward the betterment of MMH's future. They all agreed by uniting their efforts and enhancing their collaboration, they feel it can lead to the affiliation with a suitable partner that will ensure financial prosperity as well as continue and improve the services to the community. The committee will be scheduling visits with local service groups and clubs to talk about the excellent care and services available at the hospital.

“We had a really informative meeting and discussed some key issues we can move forward with such as going out to the community groups and talking about the great care and quality standards at MMH,” Loretta Perez, MMH board chair, said in a prepared statement. “I was happy to see the key players at the meeting who can help us move a positive message forward.”

“The committee wanted to start by sharing information about the hospital’s commitment to quality care and safe care as an ongoing effort by all. Every three years Joint Commission surveys MMH to ensure we are maintaining a high level of quality and safety standards, MMH was re-accredited after a survey in 2018. Laboratory Joint Commission survey is conducted every two years and also maintains the high standards. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards,” their Wednesday statement says. “Additionally, New York State Department of Health conducts and verifies that the high level of quality and safety and most recently surveyed MMH in 2018. MMH's hospital acquired infections are below the national average and the outstanding care our team provides results in less need for hospitalization and cost reduction.”

Members of the committee are: Loretta Perez, Lenore Levine, Dr. Susanne Daye, Dr. Bedros Bakirtzian, Dr. Jayant Jhaveri, Dr. Henri Gaboriau, Dr. Birinder Singh, Tom Miller, Al Nicola, Julie Zyzik, Ralene North, RN, Tina Corcoran, Jeff Chudzinski, Sue Mackey, Kerrie French, Janine Harrigan-Pierce, Reagan Burns, RN, Scott Wilson and Tina Buckley