Hudson Headwaters Health Network Expands into Tri-Lakes Region
SARANAC LAKE, NY (March 2, 2020) – Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics, a health care practice with locations in both Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, will join Hudson Headwaters Health Network. The transition is expected to become official early this summer.
Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics was founded in 1976 by Dr. David Johnson and Dr. Dean Melville; and has cared for many families throughout the Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and the northern Adirondack regions for over 40 years. The practice is led by four physicians: Drs. David Johnson; Elizabeth Buck; Patricia Monroe and Brian Guadagno, with a support staff of 17.
The physicians at Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics have been working with Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s leadership team for several months to ensure a smooth transition for the practice.
Dr. Johnson explained that patients within the Tri-Lakes region will benefit from this change for many years to come. “It’s vitally important to us that patients in this area continue to have access to skilled primary care providers,” Johnson said. “Hudson Headwaters has a reputation for providing expert primary care; working with patients, providers and other health care organizations throughout the Adirondack region. Becoming part of Hudson Headwaters will enhance our ability to attract and retain well-trained medical professionals allowing us to maintain the continuity of care for our current patients, open our practice to new patients and to better meet the medical needs of the residents of the Tri-Lakes area. We are proud to be able to entrust the care of our patients, and staff members, to the Hudson Headwaters team.”
According to Hudson Headwaters Health Network CEO Dr. Slingerland, the missions of Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics and Hudson Headwaters align; and both organizations provide the same type of care, for similar populations in rural areas of the Adirondack region. “Our organizations believe that access to high-quality health care is vital to the health of our communities,” he said. “This partnership will ensure that residents of both Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake will have continued support and resources to meet their healthcare needs. We look forward to welcoming the greater Tri-Lakes community into our care.”
According to Slingerland, groups like Hudson Headwaters and Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics have become increasingly focused on their particular areas of expertise – such as primary care – while building a network of partnerships that extends to hospitals, home care agencies and regional medical centers. “Healthcare organizations throughout the north country have done a great job of partnering and working collaboratively to provide outstanding patient care,” he said. “In the Adirondack region, we anticipate further strengthening our relationship with Adirondack Health, ensuring that patients have access to all of the health care services that they need as close to their home communities as possible.”
Adirondack Health’s leadership echoed Dr. Slingerland’s sentiment. “We join Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics in welcoming Hudson Headwaters Health Network to the community,” said Sylvia Getman, Adirondack Health president and CEO. “We have always enjoyed a positive and close working relationship with our colleagues at Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics and look forward to advancing the opportunities for care coordination that Hudson Headwaters brings to the table.”
Hudson Headwaters health centers are located from Moreau in the south, north to the Canadian border, west to Indian Lake and east to Ticonderoga. Its community-based health centers are located within small towns and rural areas, while some are within larger population centers including Plattsburgh and Glens Falls.
As part of the transition, Adirondack Internal Medicine and Pediatrics’ physicians and support staff will become employees of Hudson Headwaters. Along with changes to signage and other branded materials, there may be some minor renovations as the practice locations become part of Hudson Headwaters Health Network. During the transition, patients won’t experience any disruption in care.
Approval is required by both the New York State Department of Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration before the change is finalized. Approvals are expected by early summer of 2020.
Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics’ Tupper Lake office is located at 7 Stetson Road in Tupper Lake; and the Saranac Lake office is in the Redfield Medical Office Building at 2249 NY-86 in Saranac Lake.