You have probably heard how it takes a village to raise a child. But you might not know it takes a village, a community, to keep a hospital healthy and strong.

Gilli Hachey sure knows this is true. As Executive Director of the Foundation of St. Mary’s Healthcare, she sees this dynamic in action day in and day out.

“It’s a collective commitment — among all our staff  members, the volunteers, our corporate and individual donors, civic leaders — that’s what allows us to keep this excellent healthcare we have both local and independent.”

And there’s probably never been a time when making this collective effort has been more critical. Many community hospitals around the country have closed or are at risk of closing due to rising costs, low  reimbursement rates, and dwindling inpatient volumes. They also face severe workforce shortages,  cybersecurity threats, and the list goes on. While St. Mary’s is not immune to these forces and continues to face many of these same challenges, we have made progress in stabilizing our community hospital. Despite limited resources, strategic and deliberate investments in programs,  services, and our workforce have paid dividends as we work to ensure that care remains local.

That’s what makes the current portrait of St. Mary’s so inspiring for all of us living and working in the Fulton and Montgomery region. People are stepping up to meet the moment. In this past year, the hospital’s Annual Gala event saw record breaking attendance and raised $105,000 to help support urgent care and emergency services. This was a 94% percent increase from the previous year. Its Annual Golf Classic was sold out, and thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, donors, and  golfers, it raised more than $65,000 to support the education, training, and professional development of hospital employees. This was a 75% increase  from the previous year. The recent end-of- year giving campaign successfully brought together both internal and community support, generating  more than $67,250 in gifts and pledges — a 33% increase from the previous year.

“This is about people wanting to make a difference and being supportive on behalf of their families, friends and neighbors,” Gilli says. “It shows me that they see the tremendous importance of  having quality healthcare just minutes away.”

Gilli believes the generosity of people and businesses around the region also speaks to the confidence building that St. Mary’s is on the right track. “Our leadership team has vision and sound strategic thinking, and that’s becoming more and more evident to people,” she says. “The community’s participation in our fundraising events speaks for itself. Something meaningful is happening here — people want to be a part of it, and their support is essential to the future of St. Mary’s.” she says.

This confidence has also received validation as St. Mary’s has been named  a 2025 Times Union Top Workplace — the  first acute care hospital in the Capital Region to earn the distinction
since the program was launched 14 years ago. There’s also that the Daily Gazette named St. Mary’s “Best of the Best” hospital, and its Emergency Department has the lowest wait times in the Capital Region—beating state and national averages — even as demand continues to grow.

“We are building positive momentum,” Gilli says. “I know we face significant challenges, and the road ahead won’t be easy, but with the dedicated leadership we have, and the strong community support we have, I see a bright future for St. Mary’s.”

How Foundation gifts make a different at St. Mary’s Healthcare

• Investing in new equipment, materials, and supplies to enhance comfort, care, and the overall patient experience
• Assisting patients with pharmaceutical co-pays, medical transportation, and other health and safety measures
• Providing support for cancer patients receiving treatment or undergoing testing
• Funding professional development grants to help associates enhance their skills and advance their careers
• Awarding nursing scholarships to St. Mary’s registered nurses pursuing advanced degrees in nursing and nursing leadership
• Offering financial assistance for associates facing hardship to help with housing, transportation, and utilities

. . . and more!

Donate today and invest in St. Mary’s and keep quality healthcare location for generations.

Q: What are the most important things I can do to reduce my cancer risk?

A: About 30-50%of cancers are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors, meaning you have significant power to reduce your risk through everyday choices. Research shows people who follow healthy lifestyle recommendations have a 10-20% lower risk of developing cancer and a 24-30% lower risk of dying from cancer.

Here are the most impactful steps you can take:

• Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
  • Excess body weight increases your risk for multiple cancers including breast (after menopause), colorectal, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers. Even modest

    

    weight loss can make a difference.

• Stay physically active.
  • Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week (like brisk walking) or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity (like running). Physical activity reduces cancer risk both directly and by helping maintain a healthy weight. Even replacing 30 minutes of sitting with light activity can lower your cancer mortality risk by 8%.
• Follow a healthy eating pattern.
  • Focus on whole grains, vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), and fruits. Limit or avoid red meat and processed meats, which are linked to colorectal cancer. Reduce sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed foods.
• Avoid or limit alcohol.
  • It’s best not to drink alcohol at all. Alcohol is associated with liver, upper digestive tract, breast, and colorectal cancers. If you choose to drink, limit consumption to no more than one drink per day.
• Don’t smoke, and if you do, quit.
  • Smoking is one of the most significant cancer risk factors. Long-term smoking increases risk for lung cancer and many other cancers, and quitting at any age provides benefits.

**Studies show that adopting these healthy behaviors together has a powerful cumulative effect. People with the healthiest lifestyles have up to 48-52% lower cancer mortality compared to those with the least healthy habits.

To learn more about our Oncology team and the services we provide, please click here.

Q: What’s the best way to manage menopause?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all remedy for managing menopause. But, one of the mainstays of treatment is estrogen therapy. Based on your symptoms and medical
history, other hormones may be added as well, such as progesterone and testosterone. Since hormone therapy is available in tablets, creams, gels, and skin patches, there are many options to choose from.

However, there are reasons why some women cannot use hormone therapy, and if that is the case, there are non-hormonal options available. You should keep in mind that menopause therapy is not the same as hormonal birth control. So, even if you have been told you cannot take a birth control pill, you still could be a candidate for hormone therapy.

Management is individualized to a woman’s health status, her medical history, symptoms and personal goals. The treatment approach should be a shared decision between you and your provider. The goal of therapy ultimately is to improve your quality of life and optimize your health, all while minimizing any risks of treatment. If you are struggling with symptoms, or feeling like your symptoms are being dismissed, please seek care from a certified menopause provider.

Learn more about our OBGYN team and locations here.

On Monday, January 26 we will delay opening our physician practices (primary care and specialty care), including urgent care centers, outpatient addictions clinic, Community Pharmacy and the Rao Outpatient Pavilion. These locations will open at 9AM.

Patients with scheduled appointments will be contacted by our team to reschedule if their appointment is impacted.

If at any time you or a loved one needs immediate medical attention, our Emergency Department is always open, and our team is ready to help.

The safety of our patients and associates is always a top priority. Thank you for your understanding. Please take care and stay safe!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

When we launched our strategic turnaround plan for St. Mary’s Healthcare in 2023, we made a commitment to
strengthen and enhance our community’s local, independent hospital.

We pledged to grow and add much needed services; focus on quality, safety, and the patient experience; and build a supportive work culture. We also promised to be transparent about our progress and our challenges.

In return, we asked you to do your part by choosing St. Mary’s as your preferred healthcare provider—and you most certainly have. Thank you!

The results of our combined efforts get more impressive every year. In 2025, with your support, St. Mary’s:

• Increased patient visits across almost every service line.
• Was recognized as one of the Capital Region’s safest hospitals.
• Reduced our ER wait time to the lowest in the Capital Region—even as more patients turned to us for emergency care.
• Continued to invest in our people, programs, and technology.
• Remained true to our core value of caring for those who are underserved.
• Became the first Capital Region acute-care hospital to be named a Times Union Top Workplace.
• Was voted “Best of the Best” hospital in The Daily Gazette People’s Choice awards.
• Reopened our Charlton office for primary and specialty care and lab services.
• Recruited 36 providers in 14 specialties.
• Set records for attendance at our golf outing and summer gala.

We still have much more to do, including stabilizing our finances to ensure St. Mary’s remains viable for this community for years to come. So once again, I’m asking for your help. Please continue to turn to us first for healthcare—and to keep coming back. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors about the transformation underway at St. Mary’s. Let us know when we meet or exceed your expectations and when we can do better.

For us, there is no higher calling than to provide the care our community deserves. On behalf of our Board of Trustees, leadership team, and all our associates, thank you for the privilege of serving you, for choosing St. Mary’s, and for playing a key role in our continued success.

With best wishes for a happy, healthy 2026,
Jeff Methven, President & CEO
St. Mary’s Healthcare

Q: How do I make the most of my annual visit with my primary care provider?

A: Your annual visit is a time to do a comprehensive overview of your health. We often ask a series of questions about your health status, concerns, changes in family or social history. It’s also a good time to update your provider on recent hospital or ER visits, or visits with other specialists.

It is very helpful if you have an updated list of all the medications you
take — both prescribed and over the counter medications, including herbal supplements.

Your provider may have ordered lab work prior to your visit and may review the results with you in detail. Your visit will usually involve a physical exam. You may discuss recommended immunizations based on your age and health status.

The end of the visit is typically working on a plan for the coming year together-setting some goals or scheduling preventive care (mammogram, colonoscopy, dental visits, etc). The annual visit is not the best time to come in with a long list of concerns-if you have many concerns, these are often best addressed at a separate, problem-focused visit. Your provider may have you
schedule follow up appointment(s) based on your health needs.

And remember-you can always call the office if you have questions.

Learn more about our primary care team and locations here.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Dec. 9, 2025—Two more providers—Dr. Dhaval Swaminarayan and women’s health nurse practitioner Sara Gorham—have joined the OB/GYN Health Center at St. Mary’s Healthcare. Both were recruited as part of the hospital’s commitment to ensure convenient, local access to key healthcare services.

Dr. Swaminarayan has 23 years of experience in academic and clinical settings, most recently as a physician with Capital Region OB/GYN in Latham. Gorham has been providing women’s healthcare for more than two decades, including nine years with Saratoga OB/GYN and Midwifery Services.

“With Dr. Swaminarayan and Sara, we add two experienced providers who share St. Mary’s dedication to excellence and compassion,” said Dr. James Charland, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at St. Mary’s. “As members of our OB/GYN team, they will be instrumental in expanding access and enhancing care for women in our community at every stage of their life.”

Dr. Swaminarayan earned his medical degree from NHL Medical College, Gujarat University in Ahmedabad, India and completed OB/GYN residencies at BJ Medical College in India and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Medical Association.

St. Mary’s Expands Access to Sexual Assault Care

Technology connects St. Mary’s providers to New York’s most experienced forensic examiners, ensuring 24/7 expert, trauma-informed care

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Nov. 25, 2025—Patients who experience sexual assault now have 24/7 access to trauma-informed care within their own community, at St. Mary’s Healthcare.

The local independent hospital has taken significant steps to ensure that those who are sexually assaulted receive immediate, expert, compassionate care:

• Partnered with TeleSAFE. The statewide program of St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services provides remote support at the St. Mary’s bedside so patients can receive clinical forensic exams without having to transfer to a larger hospital.
• Trained 13 St. Mary’s providers to conduct these highly detailed exams and collect evidence with the utmost sensitivity.
• Continued to nurture relationships with local social services, patient advocacy and other organizations that provide additional, essential patient support.

“Patients deserve access to expert, trauma-informed care regardless of where they live,” said Kristina Thomas, MS, RN, NE-BC, director of emergency and urgent care services at St. Mary’s. “They’re coming to us for a difficult exam after a devastating ordeal. They should not have to endure the additional distress of being transferred to an unfamiliar facility, far from their community.”

Thomas has high praise for TeleSAFE and its network of expert Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners. TeleSAFE’s team comprises some of the most seasoned and recognized forensic examiners in the state and across the nation. “These cases are extremely complex, and no two are the same,” Thomas said. “The SAFE-certified providers have extensive experience and are available around the clock to answer questions, guide us through the exams and provide care and support to patients of any age.”

St. Mary’s officially launched its program Nov. 17 but has been working with TeleSAFE for several months, collaborating on documentation, policies and procedures. During that time, St. Mary’s has conducted numerous exams for adult and pediatric patients. Thomas expects that number to increase once people and organizations realize that this care is available locally.

Sexual assault occurs every 68 seconds in the U.S. In addition to physical, legal and emotional burdens, many survivors have difficulty obtaining follow-up care.

“With TeleSAFE, we can make sure survivors receive the care they need, no matter when they arrive at St. Mary’s,” Thomas said, “and we can connect them to critical support services close to home.”

***

About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare organization offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

About TeleSAFE: TeleSAFE is a free, hospital-based clinical service established in 2018 through funding from the New York Office of Victim Services, the New York Department of Health, and in conjunction with St. Peter’s Health Partners. TeleSAFE provides a remote solution to hospitals to ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive the comprehensive, compassionate care they need. TeleSAFE’s clinicians are all certified SAFEs who can provide support ranging from basic questions to guiding a full exam and evidence collection process remotely and are available 24 hours a day. For more information on TeleSAFE, visit: https://telesafe.org/.

Contact:

Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
kristin.mosher@nysmha.org

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2025—St. Mary’s Healthcare has added two more providers—Dr. Michael Coles and physician assistant Paige Desjardin—at its Gastroenterology Health Center. They join Dr. Garth Garramone, medical director of gastroenterology, and nurse practitioner Diane Gagliardi.

Dr. Coles comes to St. Mary’s after completing fellowships in gastroenterology and hepatology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, and in neurogastroenterology and motility at Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at Medical College of Georgia.

Desjardin previously was a physician assistant with St. Peter’s Family Medicine in Clifton Park. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Albany Medical College.

Both chose St. Mary’s for the opportunity to be part of a small, independent hospital with deep ties to its community and a mission to serve all with compassion and excellence.

“St. Mary’s is an extraordinary place to practice medicine and to receive care,” Dr. Garramone said. “As word spreads about the quality of this hospital and the supportive work environment, we’re seeing more and more patients and hearing from more providers who want to be part of this growing program.”

St. Mary’s Gastroenterology Health Center diagnoses and treats diseases of the digestive tract and liver, offers advanced medical imaging, and performs colonoscopies and other minimally invasive procedures.

The new providers are among 58 in 14 specialties who have joined St. Mary’s in the past two years as part of the hospital’s strategic investment in services that can have a powerful positive impact on community health.

Gastroenterology is a prime example. St. Mary’s serves a region where rates of colorectal cancer are higher than both the state and national averages. Ensuring access to colonoscopies can help reduce those rates and save lives.The Gastroenterology Health Center is located in St. Mary’s Medical Office Building on the Guy Park Avenue Campus. New patients are welcome. For an appointment, call 518-843-1240.

***

About St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam: St. Mary’s Healthcare has been providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to the people of Montgomery and Fulton counties since 1903. At St. Mary’s Hospital, the Rao Outpatient Pavilion and other locations, the local, independent healthcare organization offers the comprehensive, critical services its community needs and deserves. For more information: (518) 842-1900, www.smha.org or www.facebook.com/smha.org.

Contact:

Kristin Mosher
Director, Marketing and Communications
St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam
(518) 770-7505
kristin.mosher@nysmha.org