(Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital successfully completed a multi-million dollar makeover of the southern wing of its first floor.

This renovation started in 2018 and was completed this month and on budget. The newly redesigned wing is dedicated to the Heart. UHS Cardiology in Norwich moved into their newly expanded home late last week.

The Heart Care Center was previously located on the northern most wing of the hospital, near the emergency room. This new move and renovation was focused on adding space and complimenting services for local heart care patients in need of additional care. The new location has an entrance off the main lobby and offers easy access and parking for all those utilizing the service.

The staff of UHS Cardiology remains the same, is newly energized and ready to share their new facility with current and new patients. Cardiologist Dr. James O’Brien, Adult Nurse Practitioners Sue Button and Mary Rivera, are all accepting new patients and offering additional services. Mary Rivera joined the staff in the beginning of 2019 and offers expanded services in Pulmonology. Mary’s specialty in respiratory medicine offers more options for those patients dealing with breathing issues, as well as related heart concerns that may coincide with an illness.

One of the many new services now offered at the new UHS Cardiology is Cardiac Rehabilitation. Cardiac Rehab, also known as Phase 2 Rehab, is a specially monitored low pace exercise program, where heart care patients wear wireless heart monitoring devices with constant nurse supervision.

This program is important in recovery after a heart condition and previously was not offered locally, requiring travel out of the area. Joel Cummings, RN is specially trained to work with Cardiac Rehab patients and help them through the process of getting back to a comfortable and safe life style.

Joel commented about his goal for the new cardia rehab services “My first and only concern is getting our patients back to normal functional ability as quickly and as painlessly as possible. I have wanted this local option for many years now and I am so glad to be able to offer these services to our cardiac patients here in Norwich.”

This new renovation expands the size of the previous heart Care location. The registration desk and waiting rooms are expanded and conveniently located. Stress test and additional testing rooms are located within the department for simplified monitoring and scheduling. The staff at the new UHS Cardiology in Norwich is excited to share their facility.

To make an appointment or for more information about the services offered locally, call 337-4215.

-Submitted article