Bryant Watson, RN Honored With DAISY Award

Progressive Care nurse nominated for calming presence

Words can be an enormously powerful part of the healing process, sometimes making all the difference for a patient. That’s a big part of what motivates CVPH’s 8th DAISY Award Winner Bryant Watson. “The most rewarding part of my job is getting to help people,” Watson said. “I want my patients to understand what is going on and do my best to lessen their anxiety. I try to let them know that as frustrating as it can be to be stuck in the hospital, it is a process, a [...]

Leading and Learning

Nurses Recognized for Professional Development

Two nurses at the FitzPatrick Cancer Center have been honored with Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) awards as part of their dedication to improving the lives of their patients. Colleagues gathered for a surprise ceremony in the FCC for Rene Cooper, BSN, RN, OCN and Nora Mockus, BSN, RN. Both nurses are veterans of the LEAD program at CVPH. This is Cooper’s third time through and it is Mockus’ second. “It was a little easier the second time around, because I kn [...]

CVPH Meets Retired Nurse's Lofty Expectations

Patient Received Urgent Care She Needed

Plattsburgh resident Barbara Thompson knows a thing or two about providing excellent care. The 96-year-old guided countless patients to better outcomes as a public health nurse in the city for more than a decade. But in the early morning hours of June 1, Thompson suddenly found herself on the receiving end of care. She woke up in the middle of the night with significant pain in the area of her left shoulder and immediately began worrying about a potential heart attack. A short time later, [...]

I’m At–Risk for COVID-19. How Do Older Adults Get Care, and Stay Safe?

While we all wish there was a solution to put an end to COVID-19, we are best served to begin adjusting our behaviors, expectations and lifestyle to acknowledge this pandemic will take time to manage and resolve. As we shift to a longer-term acceptance of our new reality, many patients in our older adult population have been asking great questions about their health, their risk of contracting COVID-19, and how to live a h [...]

Bouncing and Playing in the Backyard, Safely

The school year is ending and many summer camps and childcare programs remain closed prompting families to get creative in the way they entertain their children. Home playsets, trampolines, bounce houses, and public playgrounds are popular ways to keep kids moving. As I see more and more of these popping up in backyards, now seems like a good time to talk about safety.   Trampolines and bounce houses are fun and present a great way for kids to expe [...]

Welcome Back: We’ve Got You Covered

Thank you. As members of the community, you’ve done a remarkable job evolving with the many swift changes across our homes, businesses, schools and health care facilities. This collective action – your sacrifice – has allowed our communities to flatten the curve and avoid a devastating surge to our health care system. For that, we thank you. But as we look back at what we’ve accomplished these past few months, it’s time to look forward and s [...]

With Stroke, Seconds Count

Fear and worry. These feelings have gripped us all in one way or another during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Some fear is good, it helps guide us to make safe choices to ensure our health, but sometimes that same fear can disrupt healthy behaviors. As medical professionals, we are concerned our patients may be distancing themselves from hospitals and the important, preventive and urgent health care that they need.   In fact, a [...]

Taking Advantage of Telehealth

Imagine being able to get out of bed, do your normal morning routine, and then head to your doctor appointment – without having to leave home. There’s no need to find a babysitter for the kids, spend money on gas or lose more time from work. That’s what thousands of people have experienced thanks to CVPH’s telehealth services. The program, which has already been operational for years, was expanded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as an additional option to help pat [...]

Providing Great Care in Our Post-COVID World

Thanks to your vigilance and the tireless efforts of health care workers across the North Country, we are embarking on the next chapter in the COVID-19 pandemic. This part of the story begins with the New York State Department of Health’s approval for us to resume elective surgeries and the phased reopening of our region. While CVPH remained open for care throughout this health care crisis, our response to COVID-19 required us to pause non-essential services and programs to conserve sup [...]

Energy Conservation and Replenishment

Taking a Moment: Mindful ways to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic

Today, I'm going to talk to you about energy conservation and energy replenishment. You have to hold some of your energy, and you have to refill some of your energy in order to perform for the long haul. This surge might be longer, and it might be shorter. We don't know. So I wanted to give you a tip to make sure that you know how to check in with yourself and figure out how to replenish yourself and conserve. Society tells us that the best way to boost our energy is to exercise, eat [...]