St. Mary’s Healthcare Welcomes Two More Pulmonologists

AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Sept. 15, 2026—Two more pulmonologists—Drs. Blessen George and Alexander Walker—have joined the growing pulmonology and sleep medicine team at St. Mary’s Healthcare. Both come to the independent community hospital after completing fellowships in sleep medicine and pulmonary and critical care medicine.

St. Mary’s launched its pulmonology and sleep medicine program in 2024 to bring lung health and critical care expertise to a region where rates of chronic respiratory disease are considerably higher than the state average.

“Local access to specialty care can be life-changing—and lifesaving—for patients with chronic respiratory diseases,” said Dr. Brian McDermott, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at St. Mary’s Healthcare. “When pulmonology services are readily available, patients are less likely to need emergency care or be hospitalized. Instead, they receive essential support that can help them manage their conditions, maintain or enhance lung health, and improve their quality of life.”

Dr. George earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona and completed a residency in internal medicine residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau, New York. He went on to complete fellowships in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine at New York University Grossman Long Island School of Medicine and in sleep medicine at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. George is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certification in pulmonary disease.

Dr. Walker earned his medical degree from St. George’s University and completed a residency in internal medicine at Mount Auburn Hospital in

 Massachusetts. He completed fellowships in sleep medicine at Yale University and in pulmonary and critical care medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Walker is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certifications in pulmonary disease and sleep medicine.

Both physicians are accepting new patients. For more information, go to St. Mary’s Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine. To make an appointment, call 518-841-7432.

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About St. Mary’s Healthcare: 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.

Kristin Mosher

Director, Marketing and Communications

St. Mary’s Healthcare, Amsterdam

(518) 770-7505 kristin.mosher@nysmha.org