MARGARETVILLE, N.Y. (April 1, 2025) – 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 the town supervisors 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, 2025, 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 all 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 is steadfast in our commitment to enhancing healthcare access and quality for our community,” said Elissa Chessari, Executive Director, WMCHealth’s Northern Region. “From welcoming a skilled nurse practitioner and expanding lab services to advancing our helipad project and EMS training, these efforts reinforce Margaretville Hospital’s role as a vital healthcare cornerstone, ensuring residents receive the comprehensive, accessible care they deserve. We deeply value the ongoing collaboration and open dialogue with our residents and town leaders as we work together to deliver these vital service enhancements.”
“Working closely with WMCHealth, the dedicated executive and foundation boards of Margaretville Hospital remain unwavering in their commitment to providing top-notch, accessible healthcare to the communities we support,” said Emilie Adams, Chair, Board of Directors, Margaretville Hospital. This meeting was crucial, as it allowed us to engage directly with community leaders, strengthening our connection and understanding of their needs.”
“The purpose of this meeting was to enhance the lines of communication between WMC and local community leaders as a means to address the concerns being voiced in our community regarding the status of healthcare service offerings available at the Margaretville Campus,” noted Supervisor Faulkner. “This was a very positive and productive meeting. We had constructive conversations related to the community healthcare needs, current public perceptions, and opportunities for new and expanded healthcare offerings. I am optimistic that WMC heard our concerns and will commit the financial and human resources needed to bring these initiatives to fruition. We all recognize that access to essential, convenient healthcare is vital to the overall health and vibrancy of our community.” Margaretville Mayor John Hubbell noted; “I thought the meeting was both productive and very informative. The Margaretville Memorial Hospital campus is a very important part of our community. The Village of Margaretville will be working very hard with the other municipal entities to help WMC grow services for the residents of our area.”