MARGARETVILLE – Leaders from Margaretville Hospital and the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) recently met with stakeholders from several towns served by Margaretville Hospital to discuss topics vital to the community, including healthcare service enhancements and a helipad.
The meeting was hosted by Elissa Chessari, executive director of WMCHealth’s Northern Region, and Michael Hochman, executive director for Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center. Chessari and Hochman were joined by town of Middletown Supervisor Glen Faulkner and town of Middletown Board Member Nelson Delameter; town of Andes Supervisor Wayland “Bud” Gladstone; town of Hardenburgh Supervisor Wendy O’Reilly; village of Margaretville Mayor John Hubbell; and village of Fleischmanns Mayor Samuel Gil.
WMCHealth provided those attending with the following updates:
• New Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Joins Staff
In May 2025, Sherri-Ann Clunis, FNP, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with WMCHealth since 2016, will join Margaretville Hospital’s on-site team to expand primary care services. Previously with HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, Clunis also led Margaretville Hospital’s Quality Improvement and Performance Improvement program, bringing deep expertise to enhance local healthcare access.
• The proceeds from this year’s Margaretville Hospital CATCH Art Auction May 17 will benefit primary care advancements.
• Helipad Construction Set to Begin
Construction of a helipad at Margaretville Hospital is slated to start within six months, pending the New York State Department of Health Rural Health Access grant award. This critical addition will speed up patient transfers, improve access to trauma specialists, and optimize first responder resources. The Margaretville Hospital Foundation extends gratitude to donors who have generously supported this project.
• Expanded Out-Patient Laboratory Services
Starting May 2025, WMCHealth will introduce walk-in lab services and extended hours at Margaretville Hospital, offering residents more convenient access to essential diagnostic testing.
• Capital Improvements to Palen Building
WMCHealth is investing in renovations to the Palen Building at Margaretville Hospital. These upgrades will enhance the patient’s experience, streamline care delivery, and support the expansion of primary and specialty care services.
• Reliable Ambulance Services with New Leadership
Margaretville Hospital remains committed to ensuring prompt 9-1-1 responses and appropriate patient transport.
During simultaneous incidents, local mutual aid agreements provide additional support, reflecting a gold-standard approach to community care.
Additionally, WMCHealth welcomes Wendy Young, EMT-P, as the Margaretville Hospital Emergency Medicine Services (EMS) Manager - a 30-year veteran in EMS services, with extensive experience in rural healthcare systems as a paramedic and secondary narcotics agent, supervisory roles plus membership in the Arkville Fire Department.
• EMS and Paramedicine Training Grant
Margaretville Hospital is advancing emergency care through a Rural EMS Training Grant. This program funds and expands training for certified first responders, emergency medicine technicians, and paramedics across Delaware County and surrounding areas.
• Community Paramedicine Program Launched
Margaretville Hospital recently launched a community paramedicine program for non-emergency home visits to our community members’ homes. An example of a visit, follow-up after a hospital discharge to ensure medications have been picked up and are being administered properly for the best possible outcomes. Providing added support to our rural communities is essential for improved community health.
WMCHealth remains committed to improving healthcare access and quality in the community, said Elissa Chessari, executive director of WMCHealth’s Northern Region. Key initiatives include adding a skilled nurse practitioner, expanding lab services, advancing the helipad project, and enhancing EMS training. These efforts strengthen Margaretville Hospital’s role as a critical healthcare provider. Chessari emphasized the importance of collaboration with residents and local leaders in delivering these essential improvements.
Middletown Supervisor Glen Faulkner described a recent meeting with WMC as a productive effort to improve communication and address community concerns about healthcare services at Margaretville Hospital. Discussions focused on local healthcare needs, public perceptions, and potential service expansions. Faulkner expressed optimism that WMC will allocate the necessary resources to enhance offerings, emphasizing the importance of accessible healthcare for the community’s wellbeing.
Margaretville Mayor John Hubbell said the Margaretville Memorial Hospital campus is a very important part of the community. The village of Margaretville will be working very hard with the other municipal entities to help WMC grow services for residents, he said.
