One of the most valuable assets that we have in the Warwick Valley and the Southern Orange County Region is the presence of St. Anthony Community Hospital, Bon Secours Charity Health System. The hospital is under the stewardship of Westchester Medical who has been a careful, protective, and benevolent guardian of quality healthcare. Recently, I attended the introduction of the 3D mammography unit at the Women’s Imaging Center on Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
This piece of critical state of the art equipment brings a significant resource to the center but more importantly to the women and some men of our region. 3D Mammography offers greater levels of early detection, comfort for the patient, and more thorough diagnosis. This is an especially valuable diagnostic tool for patients with dense tissue.
This is only an example of the type of capital improvement that Westchester Medical is making in St Anthony’s. They have begun extensive upgrades in its Radiology Department with a financial investment of $10 million dollars. Phase one of the project will be complete by the end of 2020 with other improvements and renovations to the Diagnostic Imaging Radiation Suite over the next few years. The continued investment in the infrastructure of quality healthcare is significant and affords us all diagnostic treatment close to home.
Some of the services offered include Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Digital Radiology, and Fluoroscopy and Women’s Imaging. The partnership and leadership of Bon Secours Charity Systems and Westchester Medical has been impressive to witness. The investment and care toward the community and its beloved hospital is a story that is often missing in the age of large, and sometimes impersonal healthcare. To recognize St. Anthony’s significance to the community, its history, deep roots, and value as a medical arts center has been the foundation for a strong future and we are blessed.
A community hospital runs well because of dedicated staff which includes doctors, nurses, administration and men and women from all walks of life who fulfill the task of keeping a healthcare facility running 24 hrs./7days. This is a large “community” of folks whose talents are the backbone of St Anthony’s. I have always felt that there is an intrinsic human quality here that comes from a sense of duty, empathy, and love – it is something you feel at every level. These are men and women whose first priority is health care and their focus, which includes comfort and compassion are what makes St Anthony’s a remarkable facility. Truly our Bon Ami!
The next Village Board meeting will take place on Mon., Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall, located at 77 Main St. in Warwick.
The above column, written by Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard, has been published in the Jan. 29 issue of the Warwick Valley Dispatch.
