CRMC Working Hard to Improve Medical Care

by: Bill Liblick

Catskill Regional Medical (CRMC) has begun to put the team together to formulate constructive change at our only hospital. The objective of turning things around and providing outstanding medical care for Sullivan County is beginning to show.

I have been critical of the hospital in the past, as have many residents. There was a feeling that the past administration was more concerned with high paying executive salaries than they were about patient care.

What brought everything to a head was the bitter feud between Sullivan County’s two medical titans Crystal Run and CRMC.  As we all know by now, Crystal Run withdrew its affiliation with the hospital after levying serious accusations towards the medical facility. The finger pointing on both sides led to an exciting boxing match, while our chief medical facility was being ripped apart.

Crystal Run’s Director Dr. Hal Teitelbaum felt vindicated and that his claims towards CRMC were justified when state reports were issued, and the hospital’s former CEO Arthur Brien resigned. In many ways he was, but in many ways he was not. The jury is still out on whether Teitelbaum was more concerned about providing quality care for Sullivan County or was motivated by profits and increased revenue for his powerful medical group.

The fact still remains that running any hospital like CRMC is very difficult. Hospitals are not for profits, while facilities like Crystal Run are for profit. CRMC does not turn away patients, whether they have medical insurance or not they are still treated and are not forced to pay for the medical care they receive. On the other hand, facilities like Crystal Run, can and do turn away patients who do not have medical insurance or on Medicaid.

With this all said, I am pleased that CRMC and Crystal Run are talking. It would be in the best interest for all involved, especially Sullivan County residents if both facilities once again worked together.

The hospital has been exploring affiliating itself with another major medical facility.  Hospitals throughout the state have done it with positive results.  Einstein Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy are now part of the Montefiore Medical Group. CRMC needs to do something similar to cut their costs and provide enhanced medical coverage.

There clearly is a dynamic new face emerging at CRMC, the transformations so far are impressive. The objective towards excellent healthcare is noticeable.

The hospital has an on call helicopter to transport patients to other medical facilities providing care which CRMC cannot offer.  The goal is to turn CRMC into a hub which supplies immediate trauma relief to the region. They have already been applauded for saving many lives.

CRMC has embarked on many measures to improve medical care and nursing at the facility. They have reorganized departments, and hired new personnel.

CFO Nicholas Lanza has been very conscientious in spending. Kate Thomas has been put in charge of nursing, and Stuart Hirsch oversees the emergency and trauma unit. All three appear to possess the talents to lead the hospital in the direction it needs to take.

CRMC continues to offer many programs including drug treatment, out patient services, and preventative measure programs to educate about certain illnesses.

The goals for the Calicoon facility include offering increased medical services such as physical therapy and plastic surgery.

CRMC is clearly working hard to get its act together with better patient care. It is vital that we all show them our support, and appreciate the job they are doing in Sullivan County.

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