MARGARETVILLE, N.Y. – October 16, 2026 – Margaretville Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), today unveiled a permanent on-campus heliport that will speed emergency transfers and expand access to specialized care for critically ill and injured patients in Delaware and Sullivan counties.
“In a life-threatening emergency, every minute matters for our patients and their families,” said David Lubarsky, MD, Chief Executive Officer of WMCHealth. “This heliport will help connect patients to lifesaving specialty care faster. We are grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, O’Connor Foundation, Margaretville Health Foundation benefactors, Congressman Rep. Josh Riley, local officials and state regulators who helped make it possible.”
“For a rural hospital, rapid access to advanced trauma and specialty care is essential,” said Michael Hochman, Executive Director of Margaretville Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Center. “This heliport strengthens emergency care for our region and reflects the commitment of the many partners who brought it to completion.”
As a rural critical access hospital, Margaretville Hospital serves a geographically isolated region where faster transfers can be critical for patients experiencing major trauma, stroke, or cardiac emergencies. Located next to the hospital entrance, the heliport provides direct access between the hospital and helicopter and will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“When someone has a medical emergency here in the Catskills, every minute matters. Nobody should have to worry about getting lifesaving care simply because they live in a rural community,” said Rep. Josh Riley. This new heliport will help patients get the care they need faster, and it’s a testament to what happens when local leaders, healthcare workers, and first responders come together to get things done. I’m proud to support Margaretville Hospital, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure rural communities like ours have the healthcare resources they deserve.”
The on-campus heliport replaces a landing area about half a mile from the hospital, which had required local fire departments and first responders to clear and prepare it for flights. The new facility includes pilot-controlled lighting for nighttime operations.
The project was supported by state and foundation grants, including $200,000 from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, as well as contributions from local residents and benefactors. The Margaretville Health Foundation played a significant role in helping secure this funding, working to build support and advance the project.
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