Written By: Carley Salas, MS, RDN, CDN and Janet Klein, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES

You may enjoy grocery shopping or you may hate it, but either way it’s something we all have to do if we want to eat, right? Grocery shopping can be overwhelming at times, especially if you are winging it without a game plan for what meals and snacks you plan to make for the week ahead. You don’t want to buy more than what you will eat and then waste food and money having to throw things out. You also want to buy enough so that you are not stuck relying on take out. If you don’t make a plan, you are planning to fail! Luckily there are a few things you can do to take some of the stress out of the equation.

Food Shopping – Where to Start?

No one wants to cook a meal from scratch 7 nights a week. Finding a balance between meals cooked from scratch and meals that are “semi-homemade” that use convenience items or leftovers can help reduce the burden and time required to cook healthy meals.

Take a look at your schedule for the week ahead. How much time do you have during the week to actually cook meals? If you are working late or have a kid’s sporting event to attend in the evening, preparing a complicated recipe with a long prep and cook time is not going to be ideal on those nights. Those are the nights that having leftovers or a meal that requires a minimal amount of cooking would be perfect, or you could plan to prepare extra portions of the previous night’s dinner, if possible to utilize leftovers. 

Once you’ve taken a look at your schedule and determined when you’ll have time to do some kitchen prep work or make a more involved recipe, next is creating the shopping list. The first place you want to check is your own pantry, fridge, and freezer! See what you already have on hand and if there is anything that should be used before it expires Have a half a bag of spinach leftover from last week that is starting to look a little wilty? Plan to make a meal using cooked spinach earlier in the week to use it up. Pull some frozen chicken out of the freezer first before buying more to reduce food waste and save $!

Check the weekly sale flyer from your favorite grocery store. See what is on sale and in season and start with your protein foods first as that is your main priority. Then choose a vegetable that will pair nicely with it. Frozen steamable vegetables are an easy and affordable option for those nights where you don’t want to waste time washing and chopping!  If you eat seafood, plan to cook that at the beginning of the week as it is more perishable than other types of proteins. Canned tuna/chicken, frozen turkey burgers, tofu, or vacuum sealed chicken/turkey sausages are great items to save for the end of the week as they last longer. 

If time is a barrier to eating healthy, consider spending a little extra on pre-cut fruits and vegetables (if you can) rather than thinking you’ll have the time/energy to do it yourself. You might be surprised at how much more veggies & fruit you eat when the prep work has been done for you! 

Create Your Meal Plan for the Week

Based on what you already had on hand, combined with what is in season and on sale at the store, now you can create your weekly meal plan! If chicken breast is on sale and you have leftover broccoli that needs to be used, search on Pinterest or other websites for recipes that use both ingredients and pick something that sounds good! 

When planning your meals for the week, it doesn’t need to be super specific, you can always just write down food combinations and then decide on the preparation method or seasonings later. Keep it simple! Protein + veggie + seasoning. For example: Salmon + asparagus + Cajun seasoning. 

Grocery Store Game Plan

Never go to the grocery store when you are hungry! Everything will look and smell extra appetizing and you will end up buying things you don’t need and most likely grab foods that are less healthy. Get out your shopping list and stick to it! Start out in the produce department. Keep your vegetable choices flexible as sometimes stores run out of sale items or they may not look very good when you get there and something else may be calling your name! Stock up on those non-starchy veggies listed in your bariatric hand book! Utilize frozen/canned vegetables (watch the sodium content though) and fruits too – they can be less expensive and are also a huge time saver!!

Protein is the priority on your list so this may mean heading to the meat/deli and/or fish counters at your supermarket. Ask the butcher if they can show you which cuts of beef/pork are considered “lean” if you do not know and need help. When thinking of high protein foods, don’t forget about the dairy aisle - Low fat milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese sticks, and eggs are excellent sources of protein too! Check out the brand FairLife or SkimPlus which is ultra filtered milk that has had the lactose removed, lowering the carbohydrate count and increasing the amount of protein!

If you do not eat meat or dairy, opt for plant-based alternatives that are higher in protein such as soy milk, pea protein based milk like the brand Ripple or another alternative that has at least 6-8 grams (the equivalent of regular dairy milk) protein per serving. When looking for veggie burgers or other plant based meat alternatives, choose one that has at least 8-10g protein per serving, and be careful with the carbohydrate amount as many meatless products use grains, potatoes, or corn in them. Look for ones with <20 grams of net carbohydrates.

Don’t Avoid the Center Aisles Completely

At this point your cart is stocked with fresh or frozen produce and plenty of protein options. But you still may need some sugar-free beverages, broths, marinades, salad dressings, vinegars, spices, and other condiments. Don’t forget to READ THE NUTRITION LABEL. Learn about the food you are buying. Try to keep the added sugar low! Many sauces are unfortunately filled with added sugar and sodium (BBQ sauces, salad dressings, etc). If you are post-op in maintenance phase, look for higher fiber starches such as quinoa, oats, bean pastas, brown/wild rice, low carb wraps/breads, etc.

Helpful Kitchen Gadgets for Bariatric Surgery

• Vegetable spiralizer (zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, cucumbers) - Turns vegetables into “noodles” and make a great vessel for your favorite sauces!
• Digital Food Scales are the most accurate way to measure your food. These take the guess work out of knowing if you are eating the proper portions. 
• 2oz and 4oz containers are useful for portioning out food to bring with you when not eating at home.
• Water bottles with ounce (oz) markers are a great way to keep track of your fluid intake. 
• Sugar free flavorings - If you find plain water boring, this might help you drink more and meet your fluid goals.
• Weekly Vitamin/Pill Organizers to help remind you if you’ve taken your vitamins or not, these are also great for traveling so you don’t need to bring the entire bottle with you.
• Digital body weight scale for keeping track of your weight loss progress. There are some scales that sync with an app so you can see your weight changes charted in a graph for a nice visual of your journey.
• Protein shaker bottle - These bottles have a small metal ball that works as a whisk to quickly blend protein powder into the liquid for a smooth tasting shake
• Water pitchers with infusers for fruit to add flavor to water - These are a great way to increase your fluid intake by adding fruit, vegetables, and herbs to infuse flavor into the water that might help you drink more.
• Mini-blenders - Emulsifies and blends to create great protein shakes!  
• Prepdeck - Mini-prepping station and storage containers. 
• The Complete Bariatric Cookbook and Meal Plan - Recipes and guidance for life before and after surgery.  Megan Moore, RD, CSOWM, CD.
• BariatricPal Portion Control Travel Utensil Set with Case - perfect to have in your lunch bag at all times for convenience!

Garnet Health, which includes Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills, recently announced the promotion of the following individuals.

Kareema Dale, BSN, RN, CMSRN, has been promoted to Director of Nursing Float Pool. In this role, Dale will be responsible for the float pool nurses, nursing assistants and nursing unit clerks. She will be responsible for hiring, onboarding and mentoring the entire float pool staff. 

Dale joined the organization in April 2022 as clinical coordinator of the float pool and successfully decreased the vacancy rate. She is the nurse leader liaison for the Professional Excellence Committee in Shared Governance. Dale received her BSN from Post University. 

Marcy Manheim, MBA, has been promoted to Administrator of Marketing & Corporate Communications. She joined the organization in 2003 as Marketing & Public Relations Director. During her tenure, she has helped lead marketing and communications efforts for the new hospital and supported the marketing launch of many new products and service lines, including the Heart Center, Bone and Joint Center, Bariatric Center, Garnet Health Doctors and—most recently—Cardiothoracic Surgery. 

Under her leadership, the marketing department has significantly increased its digital marketing footprint as well as adopted consumer relations management, digital programmatic marketing and search engine marketing. She has also helped to expand the health system’s social media presence and assisted in the launch of Garnet Health’s new website. Manheim was a key strategic player in the planning and launch of Garnet Health’s comprehensive rebranding initiative. She also provides leadership in corporate communications, which includes creating and coordinating internal and external messaging.

Prior to joining Garnet Health, Manheim worked for the Times Herald-Record in sales and sales management for 15 years. She earned her MBA at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship; a BS in business, management and economics with a concentration in marketing from SUNY Empire in Saratoga Springs, New York; and an associate degree in applied science from Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, New Jersey.

Amanda Muller-Lewis, BA, CSTR, has been promoted to Trauma Program Director. Muller-Lewis has been with Garnet Health Medical Center for 11 years. She began in the Emergency Department and joined the Trauma Department in 2012 as a Trauma Registrar. She became a Certified Specialist in Trauma Registry and grew her role as lead registrar when the department expanded. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to the role of Trauma PI Coordinator and then Trauma Registry Manager.
 
During her tenure with the Trauma Department, Muller-Lewis assisted the team through a successful American College of Surgeons Level II verification. Additionally, she is a member of several trauma committees and is a co-author of the most recent addition of the NYS Trauma Data Dictionary. 
 
Muller-Lewis earned her BS in psychology from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York, and is currently working toward an associate in nursing at SUNY Orange. 
 
Andrew Myles, RN, BSN, has been promoted to Emergency Services Nursing Director. Myles joined Garnet Health as a physical therapy assistant in 2003. In 2010, he completed his AAS in nursing and began his nursing career at Horton Hospital. 
 
In June 2013, Andrew joined the Emergency Department at Garnet Health and quickly progressed into the roles of Triage and Charge RN. He has been involved in many performance-improvement initiatives in the ED, as a staff member and a leader. In April 2016, he was promoted to ED Nurse Manager, and in the summer of 2022, he took on the interim role of Nurse Director for Observation/CDA and 2 West.

For more information about career opportunities at Garnet Health, visit careers.garnethealth.org.

About Garnet Health 

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 500,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskills region. Garnet Health provides the services of more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org. 
 

Garnet Health’s award-winning Peter Frommer, MD Heart Center proudly announces the opening of its new open-heart surgery program in partnership with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The first program of its kind in Orange County, complex cardiothoracic procedures can now be performed locally, allowing patients to receive expert heart surgery care without the stress of traveling far from their loved ones.
 
The program is led by cardiothoracic lead surgeon and Medical Director Michael Argenziano, MD, FACS, who also serves as associate chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “In my nearly 30 years of being a cardiothoracic surgeon in New York City, I have performed open-heart surgery on many residents living in Orange and Sullivan Counties who needed to travel simply because there were no better options nearby,” said Argenziano. “Now, the same exceptional care you expect and receive in New York City is available right here.”
 
“Heart disease is a leading cause of death in both Orange and Sullivan Counties,” explained Rose Baczewski, Vice President & Chief Operating  Officer at Garnet Health, and the executive sponsor for the cardiothoracic surgery program. “And, while Garnet Health is already an award-winning heart care organization and recognized for our experienced cardiologists, as well as our specialists and advanced technologies, we knew we could do more to help our community. Adding open-heart surgery services truly elevates our ability to provide comprehensive cardiac care. ”
 
The open-heart surgery program at Garnet Health boasts new, state-of the-art operating rooms and equipment, and an exceptional team of cardiac experts. “The launching of this program fills such a vital need in our community and would not have been possible were it not for the dedication and hard work of our clinical team,” said Baczewski.
 
Cardiothoracic surgery procedures performed include: 

• Coronary artery bypass grafting 
• Aortic valve replacement 
• Mitral valve replacement 
• Mitral valve repair 
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair 
• Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation 
• Left atrial appendage ligation 
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

 
Learn more about the open-heart surgery program and view a video of Patrick Spencer, the first open-heart surgery patient at Garnet Health, by visiting garnethealth.org/heartsurgery
 

About Garnet Health

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit Corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 450,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskill region. Garnet Health provides services by more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org
 

Did you know the femur (thighbone) is the longest, heaviest and strongest bone in the body? A broken femur is a serious medical trauma that requires surgery and takes months to heal. Recovery can be challenging for even the fittest athlete. So imagine the challenge for 99-year-old Mary Petrillo.

Mary had just celebrated turning 99 by partying and dancing with her family. But a fall in her home the next day resulted in a trip to her nearby emergency department. There she learned she’d shattered her thighbone just above her knee. Mary and her family were presented with two treatment options: an immobilizer cast for three months—hoping Mary would heal—or surgery with 50-50 odds she would make it. Mary’s family was not accepting either option.

They called Daphne Conde, MS, RNFA, ACNP-BC, ONP-C, a member of the Garnet Health Doctors Orthopedic Trauma team. Daphne shared Mary’s X-rays with Jose Toro, MD, orthopedic trauma surgeon and medical director of Orthopedic Trauma Services. Dr. Toro knew right away Mary’s case was challenging, not just because of her age, but because she’d also had a total hip and knee replacement on the same leg. But he also knew he could get Mary back on her feet, and dancing, again.

Garnet Health is one of the few locations with surgeons highly experienced in the procedure of replacing a broken bone with a donor bone—and having patients mobile within 24 hours of surgery. Despite her age and previous surgeries, Dr. Toro was confident that Mary would have a positive outcome.

Mary did decide to transfer to Garnet Health and undergo the surgery. As promised, she was on her feet the very next day. Her daughter-in-law, Iris, was amazed at the results. 

“In 12 hours, she was standing by the side of the bed. She went through rehab for two weeks and came home in less than two months! And we are so grateful to Daphne, Dr. Toro, the whole team at Garnet Health Rehab and everyone at Garnet Health. We want this to go out to families to know that no matter what age, there’s still hope.”

Mary is also very thankful to be mobile again.

“I would like to thank Dr. Toro, the nurses, and all the wonderful people involved in helping me and ensuring I’d walk again. And when I can, Dr. Toro is the first person I plan to dance with!"

Garnet Health Medical Center is a verified Level II Trauma Center. For more about Garnet Health’s orthopedic services, visit garnethealth.org/ortho.

Download the PDF of the March 2023 Issue

April means spring! A time for renewal, as the temperatures rise, flowers begin to bloom, and trees once again provide shade and beauty. April is also a month to take a moment to celebrate and appreciate the diversity that surrounds us.

Established in 2004, Diversity Month gives us an opportunity to better understand and appreciate each other. It’s a time to explore and celebrate our unique differences, while also embracing what we share in common, such as our love for our families, our community, and our empathy as human beings.

Regardless of who we are, how, and where we choose to live our lives, we all want the very best for our children, our friends, and our coworkers.

How Can We Celebrate Diversity Month?

Recognizing diversity doesn’t have to be complicated, there are simple steps we can take to welcome diversity into our lives:

Be considerate to everyone. The most basic principal, be kind and treat people with an equal amount of respect and kindness.  It is a simple first step to realizing we don’t have to be the same to get along.

Listen to people from other diverse backgrounds.  Listen first. Let someone get their point across, then start a dialogue about the values and practices they recognize.

Learn about different cultures and lifestyles. The more you learn, the more you understand. Interacting with people from cultures and lifestyles that are different than yours can foster a new understanding and maybe eradicate previously held beliefs and assumptions. 

Garnet Health’s Commitment to the Community

Garnet Health recognizes that diversity and inclusion are multifaceted issues that we need to address holistically to better engage and support all underrepresented groups within our community. To do this, we believe we need to address honestly and head-on the concerns and needs of our diverse employees and our community, as well as continue to increase equity and inclusion for all.    

As we start April—Diversity Month—we emphasize our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and pledge to deliver excellent patient care and create equitable outcomes for our patients, community, and employees.
 

Each April, Donate Life America (DLA) leads National Donate Life Month (NDLM), an observance focusing national attention on the need and importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. NDLM is about the importance of registering your decision to be a donor, honoring both deceased and living donors, and celebrating the lives they saved. It is the generosity of donors and their families that makes saving lives through transplantation possible.

More than 8,500 New Yorkers are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant. By registering as an eye, organ and tissue donor, you can join the 170-plus million people who have registered to be a donor and help others at the end of their life. 

Garnet Health encourages you to visit the Donate Life New York website, which offers these simple ways you can help spread the word about organ donation:

• Tell friends and family they can enroll online in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
• Help raise critical funds by making a financial contribution or holding a fundraiser benefiting Donate Life New York State.
• Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. Share their posts through your own social media.
• Get the facts about organ and tissue donation, and share them with your family, friends and colleagues.
• Share Stories of Hope or tell them how your life has been touched by organ and tissue donation.

You can also show your support by participating in one of the following events taking place throughout the month:

• Donate Life Living Donor Day—April 5, 2023
  Celebrate the lifesaving generosity of living donors and learn more about living donation. 
   
• Blue & Green Spirit Week—April 8–14, 2023
  The week leading up to National Donate Life Blue & Green Day has themed days focused on appreciation, outreach and education. Download the full week calendar.
   
• National Donate Life Blue & Green Day—April 14, 2023
  On Donate Life Blue & Green Day, everyone is invited to show their blue and green colors in support of the Donate Life message and mission - and join the National Donate Life Blue & Green Day Photo Contest! 

• National Pediatric Transplant Week—April 23–29, 2023
  The last full week of NDLM is dedicated to kids. National Pediatric Transplant Week (NPTW) focuses on ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. 

Garnet Health staff celebrate the lives saved through organ donation and honors the families who grieve for their loved ones as we thank them for their selfless decision to be an organ donor. We hope these ideas inspire you to learn more, share stories and register yourself and your family members as organ donors today. To get started, register here. 
 

HARRIS, NY - The Emergency Department and Outpatient Rehabilitation at Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills’ Grover M. Hermann Hospital has been named a Press Ganey 2022 Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award winner for patient experience. This award recognizes the hospital for being in the top 5% of healthcare providers in the country for delivering quality patient experiences in the last year. 

Additionally, the Press Ganey 2022 Human Experience Pinnacle of Excellence Award recognizes Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills’ Grover M. Hermann Hospital for ranking in the top 5% of healthcare providers for three consecutive years.

These awards are part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in patient experience.

Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care. It is the fifth time overall that Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills’ Grover M. Hermann Hospital has earned this honor.

“This achievement highlights that above all else, our caring and dedicated staff put our patients at the forefront of everything we do,” said Jerry Dunlavey, Interim President and CEO of Garnet Health. “We are proud to be recognized for our continuous commitment to providing high-quality care, while always working to elevate the patient experience and ensure a safe, welcoming and healing environment for the communities we serve.”

Located in Callicoon, New York, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills’ Grover M. Hermann Hospital is a 15-bed facility committed to delivering quality patient-centered healthcare. The hospital’s Emergency Department provides prompt patient examination and treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outpatient rehabilitation services include physical therapy, pediatric early intervention and occupational therapy.

For more information, visit garnethealth.org.
 

About Garnet Health

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit Corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 450,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskill region. Garnet Health provides services by more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org

About Press Ganey

Press Ganey, the leading Human Experience (HX) healthcare performance improvement company, offers an integrated suite of solutions that address safety, clinical excellence, patient experience and workforce engagement. The company works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care. Press Ganey is a PG Forsta company.

Would it surprise you to hear that over one-third of adults in Sullivan County have high blood pressure? What about the fact that Sullivan County is above the state and national averages for adults diagnosed with coronary heart disease, or that heart disease is the second-leading cause of death?

If these statistics made your eyes widen, they should. But we aren’t sharing this to raise your blood pressure. Rather, it’s to highlight a specific need right here in Sullivan County and how one health system—Garnet Health—is committed to improving these statistics and outcomes for our community.

Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body. And when it’s not working effectively, you should be surrounded by a team working just has hard to diagnose and treat the problem. Garnet Health Medical Center’s Peter Frommer, MD Heart Center has experienced cardiologists, specialists and advanced technologies to help diagnose, treat and rehabilitate residents of Sullivan and Orange counties who are in need of advanced heart care. 

Until recently, residents in need of open-heart surgery were forced to travel a good distance for the lifesaving procedure. And for one resident, it truly was a life-altering decision.

Patrick Spencer has lived in Orange County with his wife for 30 years. On his 71st birthday, he was told he needed bypass surgery to remove blockages in his heart—but that the lifesaving surgery he needed would have to be done in New York City. The stress of traveling and being so far from home was overwhelming for Patrick and his wife. So much so, he considered not having the surgery at all.

But at the same time Patrick was facing this decision, Garnet Health was launching its open-heart surgery program, led by one of New York Magazine's Top Doctors, Medical Director Michael Argenziano, MD, FACS, who also serves as associate chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

“I was the first open-heart surgery patient in Orange County at Garnet Health,” Patrick says. “The nightmares that I had about going into New York City, the worry of my wife getting to and from the hospital safely—it was too much. But at Garnet Health, it was so much easier. My wife was 15 minutes away. I could focus on me, on my surgery and getting well.”

Garnet Health is proud to fill a vital need in Sullivan County and provide world-class care so close to home. “We need this,” Patrick adds. “Garnet Health has brought expertise up here to serve the people in this area. Believe me, I did my homework, and there’s nowhere else I would’ve gone but to Dr. Argenziano and Garnet Health. They strive for excellence and went above and beyond to take care of me and my heart.”

If you are having issues with your heart, please see your cardiologist right away. If you don’t have a cardiologist, Garnet Health can help you find one. Call Garnet Health Doctors at (845) 333-8909.

You can view Patrick’s story, and learn more about cardiac care, Dr. Argenziano and the open-heart surgery program at Garnet Health by visiting garnethealth.org/heartsurgery.

Garnet Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Jonathan Schiller as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the health system. Schiller will officially begin on June 1, 2023. Jerry Dunlavey will remain Garnet Health’s Interim President and CEO as well as Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills’ Chief Operating Officer (COO) through May 31, 2023. Dunlavey will become CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills on June 1, 2023. 

“Jonathan is returning to Garnet Health after a year away. On behalf of the board of directors and all employees, we warmly welcome him back to the Garnet Health family,” said Phillip Massengill, MD, FACS, Board Chair, Garnet Health. “We look forward to his outstanding leadership abilities in advancing Garnet Health’s growth and impact on the communities we serve.” 

Schiller comes back to Garnet Health after serving as the President and CEO of Oneida Health. Prior to joining Oneida Health, Schiller was CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills. He joined Garnet Health in 2004 and held various leadership positions within the system, including Administrator of Revenue Cycle Management, Vice President and Site Administrator, and Vice President of Hospital Operations, providing organizational leadership to multiple ancillary departments. Schiller’s leadership was instrumental in the construction and opening of Garnet Health Medical Center’s new hospital in 2011, which included the relocation of Horton and Arden Hill hospitals to the new facility. 

In 2013, Schiller was promoted to COO for Garnet Health Medical Center and was responsible for daily operations of the hospital. He was appointed CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills in 2017, providing executive leadership for the Harris and Callicoon hospital campuses, as well as systemwide executive support for the Hospitalist, Intensivist, Psychiatry and Emergency Management services.  

“After working a year in central New York, this change reunites my family at home and provides a refreshed opportunity to advance healthcare in the Catskills and the Greater Hudson Valley. To say this feels like a homecoming is nothing short of an understatement,” said Schiller. “I am excited to return to Garnet Health and be part of an organization that works hard to meet the needs of the community and cares so deeply for the patients. I stand committed to serving the residents of Orange and Sullivan counties, ensuring that access to quality healthcare remains a top priority.” He continued, “I am also honored to be working with my friend and colleague Jerry Dunlavey once again. Jerry has made Garnet Health proud as interim president and CEO, and will make an excellent CEO for Garnet Health – Catskills.”

Schiller received a bachelor’s degree in human services at LeMoyne College and a master’s in health systems administration from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Dunlavey, who has held the position of Interim President and CEO for Garnet Health since Dec. 30, 2022, has nearly 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. He joined Garnet Health in 2001, serving as the system’s Vice President of Clinical Program Development and Operations. He was the senior executive responsible for the development of seven ACGME-accredited residency programs as well as the founding executive for Garnet Health Doctors, the health system’s employed medical group. In June 2022, Dunlavey was appointed Vice President of Operations for Garnet Health and COO for Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills.
 
“Jerry is a seasoned healthcare executive and a thoughtful and strategic leader. On behalf of the board of directors, we are grateful to Jerry for moving Garnet Health forward during our search and selection process,” said Dr. Massengill. “As COO of Garnet Health – Catskills, Jerry has begun to build strong relationships, and with his knowledge of the health issues affecting Sullivan County, I am confident he will be a strong advocate for the community and a great CEO for the hospital.” 
 
Dunlavey earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration from Iona University in New Rochelle, New York. He also holds a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. 

About Garnet Health

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit Corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 450,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskill region. Garnet Health provides services by more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org