POTSDAM -- Dr. Timothy K. Atkinson has been named medical director of the Hospitalist Program at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, effective immediately.

From now until January 1, 2011, Dr. Atkinson will gradually transition to full-time status as medical director from his current position as a practitioner at Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Family Health Center at 190 Outer Main Street.

Dr. Atkinson will be joining a team of hospitalists providing specialized care to inpatients. They include Syed Ali, MD, Gary Berk, MD, John Dewar, MD, Gregory Healey, MD, Michael Joyce, PA, Hospitalist Program Administrator, Terri Joyce, PA, Molly Malone, PA, and Reinier Ramirez, MD.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital Family Health Center will undergo several changes including Dr. Atkinson’s absence, but Dr. Atkinson feels confident that patients will continue to receive the high level of care they are accustomed to.

“I’ve worked alongside Steve Neveroski, a physician assistant, and Nancy Harrington, a nurse practitioner at CPH Family Health Center, who have provided excellent care for our patients. We also have new family physicians, Dr. Nick Knowles and Dr. Todd Sanders, two highly qualified providers who are already seeing patients in temporary locations. We are anxiously awaiting moving to a newly renovated much larger office next door to our older location. Dr. Knowles and Dr. Sanders are very enthusiastic about living and working in the North Country and providing excellent health care to their future neighbors and friends. They will be a welcome asset to our community,” Dr. Atkinson said.