A New Day at Catskill Regional Medical Center

by: Bill Liblick

The final piece to the Catskill Regional Medical Center much anticipated puzzle was unfolded last week when its affiliation with Orange Regional Medical Center was announced. The anticipated return of Crystal Run Medical Group to our local hospital was also expected.

The news which was surprising is that Greater Hudson Valley Health System (GHVHS) will oversee CRMC. The only other medical facility they are currently in charge of is Orange Regional Medical Group. A new Board of Directors will be formed to oversee our local medical facility even though they will be answering to and be under the authority of GHVHS.

These developments are invigorating, and should be commended. Hopefully the focus of directors and administrators will be primarily on patient care, and not a means to cut costs and increase the revenue stream of medical professionals.

Much of the credit for this announced joint venture must go to State Senator John Bonacic, who brought both two parties to the table late last year.

It is good to hear that the team which has been running the facility since the departure of CEO Art Brien will still remain at CRMC.

CFO Nicholas Lanza has been doing an impressive job. We have all seen vast improvements made at the facility in recent months at CRMC.  Kate Thomas who was put in charge of nursing and Stuart Hirsch who oversees the emergency and trauma unit have received nothing but praise from both patients and the medical community. All three possess the talents to lead the hospital in the direction it needs to take. Hopefully the new management and board will take it to the next level.

Of course it all boils down to money and profits. Affiliating with another hospital will enable the sharing of services which in return should help the bottom line. This concept has been successful at many hospitals in New York City. Einstein Hospital and Our Lady of Mercy are now part of the Montefiore Medical Group. CRMC had to do something similar to cut its costs and provide enhanced medical coverage.

As all know by now, it was bitter feud between our two medical titans Crystal Run and CRMC which brought this all to a head.  Crystal Run withdrew its affiliation from the hospital after levying serious accusations.

Crystal Run’s Director Dr. Hal Teitelbaum felt vindicated that his claims towards CRMC were justified when state reports were issued, and the hospital’s former CEO Arthur Brien resigned.

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.

We can all be certain, if it were not for Teitelbaum we would not be seeing the dramatic changes going on right now at CRMC. The Board of Directors would have remained fast asleep.

With medical costs rising on a daily basis, running any hospital is very difficult. Hospitals cannot by law turn away patients, whether they have medical insurance or not. Those seeking medical attention are treated and are not forced to pay for the medical care they receive.

Let us all welcome the news of CRMC’s new direction. It is truly a new day for all of us in Sullivan County.

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