The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Ogdensburg Elks Lodge Jan. 18.

The news comes on the heels of a recent announcement from CEO Richad Duvall that CHMC is now under management of Carthage Area Hospital as part of the North Star Alliance.

“We are pleased to provide an update to the North Star Health Alliance strategic plan. This past summer we shared information with the public that included shared services with Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, the CHMC hospital campus conversion to critical access and the creation of a standalone mental health hospital,” a recent announcement from the hospital said.

Duvall explained that the most recent update involves outpatient services at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center (CHMC) and Carthage Area Hospital.

He said the New York State Department of Health has granted approval for the first phase of the Critical Access Transition, which involves a strategic shift in the management of rural health clinics in Ogdensburg, Canton, Madrid, Hammond, and Waddington to management under Carthage Area Hospital through the North Star Health Alliance.

Duvall says the change is the initial phase of the Critical Access Transition, which has received approval from the New York State Department of Health.

Duvall said it was a milestone in the plan.

"This initial phase of the Critical Access Transition, sanctioned by the New York State Department of Health, represents a pivotal step. It's crucial in helping us meet our three core objectives: preserving our range of services, safeguarding jobs, and ensuring the honor of Claxton-Hepburn's employee pensions."

Last year Duvall went into detail about the changes needed to stay solvent.

He said the acute care center will be designated as a critical access hospital, which will help ensure the facility’s future because it is expected to then qualify for increased reimbursement rates for Medicare and Medicaid.

The Claxton-Hepburn Mental Health Center will continue to operate 40 beds while serving solely as a behavioral health clinic.

The biggest change will be at the acute care facility which will be downsized from 87 total beds to 40 beds to include 25 acute care, five observation and 10 mental health beds.

Duvall said downsizing the number of beds is what allows the hospital to receive the critical access designation, which in turn will provide higher reimbursements and allow the facility to survive.

Duvall said many options were explored as the hospital sought to regain its footing following the pandemic, but this option yielded the best results for employees and the community alike.