When Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and Orange Regional Medical Center (ORMC) entered into an affiliation agreement in June 2007, the goal was to bring both facilities together to enhance health care in the Hudson Valley. So far, the Greater Hudson Valley Health System has been a success.
“The agreement is not a full asset merger,” said ORMC”™s President Scott Batulis at the time. “ORMC and CRMC will operate as two independent stand-alone hospitals under the Greater Hudson Valley Health System parent.”
The Greater Hudson Valley Health System (GHVHS), initially with ORMC as its sole affiliate, entered into management contract with CRMC and assumed responsibility for day-to-day management of Catskill Regional. As a GHVHS affiliate, Orange Regional helped Catskill Regional develop and enhance clinical programs and promote quality care after CRMC”™s financial crisis and  the walkout in mid-2006  by nearly 70 doctors from Crystal Run Healthcare credentialed there, who cited problems the doctors said were negatively impacting both patients and the integrity of the hospital.
State Sen. John Bonacic, R/C-Mt. Hope, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, D-Forestburgh,  were credited by  Batulis with bringing the two hospitals together one year ago.  Â
Now that ORMC”™s new Wallkill hospital is on its way to becoming a reality and CRMC has seen a management shift, including new President Steve Ruwoldt, an atmosphere of  cooperation seems to have replaced one of disintegration and allegations. At the recent ceremonial groundbreaking for ORMC”™s new town of Wallkill campus in June, Dr. Hal Teitelbaum, managing partner of Crystal Run Healthcare, said all doctors are back at work. “We”™re moving forward with CRMC in a positive way that”™s a real benefit to the entire region,” he said.
Batulis credited Alan and Sandra Gerry, for whom the main wing of the ORMC facility will be named, as an integral part of focusing on the health care needs of Sullivan County by working with CRMC and by helping ORMC move forward by arranging for a lease buy-back agreement allowing the hospitals to “sell” their current buildings and continue operating out of them until the new Wallkill facility is ready in 2011.
“The result is just great health care and expanded services,” said Teitelbaum. “It”™s really a pleasure to see the results of all the efforts that have been put into providing the best possible health care to the people of Sullivan and Orange counties.”
