Fred Stabbert III | Democrat It was a great day for Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Harris on Friday as local dignitaries and hospital representatives broke ground on a new $6 million Emergency Room to be completed this coming year. From the left are Town of Thompson Deputy Administrator George Cooke, CRMC Board Chair Jerry Skoda, New York State Senator John Bonacic, CRMC President and CEO Steve Ruwoldt, Sullivan County Legislator Leni Binder, Sullivan County Partnership CEO Tim McCausland, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey and CRMC board member Darryl Supak, also representing The Gerry Foundation.

CRMC breaks ground for new ER;
announces many upcoming projects

By Fred Stabbert III
HARRIS — June 8, 2010 — What better way for a community hospital to serve its patients than by improving its services?
And on Friday morning, Catskill Regional Medical Center President and CEO Steve Ruwoldt told an excited crowd how much better the hospital plans on getting.
“We are excited to celebrate the start of construction on our expanded emergency department,” Ruwoldt said. “With this project, our new emergency department will more than double in size, expanding from 7,500 square feet to 17,500 square feet.
“This will enable us to decrease patient wait times, serve more patients and enhance the level of service provided to meet the community’s needs,” Ruwoldt said.
But that’s just the start.
“We are building this $6 million project without borrowing a penny,” CRMC Board Chair Jerry Skoda told the crowd of nearly 100 in attendance. “There are many very special people who make Sullivan County a success – the [CRMC] board, residents, hospital administrators, doctors and staff. We are not in trouble anymore. It’s a success and a good place to come for your health.”
The funding for the new ER will come from several locations, namely:
• Senator John Bonacic secured $2.5 million in state funding for construction and equipment;
• The Gerry Foundation contributed $2.5 million;
• Congressman Maurice Hinchey secured $300,000 in federal funds; and
• $200,000 in Rural Health Access Grant funding.
The new ER will be located in the front right of the hospital, near where the emergency room parking lot is currently located.
“As the population of Sullivan County continues to grow, we will need a successful, regional hospital – we have it here,” Skoda said.
Darryl Supak, a CRMC board member and a representative of The Gerry Foundation said, “On behalf of Alan and Sandra Gerry we are extremely pleased to be able to be involved with this project. Last year was the most successful financial year in the history of the hospital.”
Sullivan County Legislady Leni Binder added, “As chair of the Public Safety Committee I can tell you that the ER and this hospital is the first step of public safety. It is so, so critical.
“And as people relocate to our county, the top four concerns are a job, a place to live, education for their children and what is the medical care.
“Despite the trends, this county is growing, and it is great to see this effort move forward in a bi-partisan manner,” she said.
New projects
In addition to the construction of the ER, Ruwoldt also announced three more projects which are being undertaken this year by the hospital.
“Through a HEAL NY grant, we will begin construction to expand our primary care and outpatient services throughout Sullivan County, including an expansion and new diagnostic center at Grover M. Hermann Hospital in Callicoon by the end of the year,” Ruwoldt said.
“We will also begin construction of an expansion of outpatient diagnostic imaging services, ultrasound and radiology services at the Monticello Women’s Health Center in the fall, and we will open a new practice in Livingston Manor this fall to better serve our community,” he added. “We are excited about these projects and believe that they represent a substantial investment toward our pledge to deliver the highest level of patient care, highly experienced physicians and advanced technology.”