Massena Hospital’s new wound care center is opening April 15.

Other updates at the healthcare facility are also reportedly underway, and hospital officials are touting other progress made there during 2023.

“We completed the construction of our $1.2 million Wound Care Center project, which will consist of five exam rooms, and a hyperbaric chamber treatment area with two chamber units,” said Associate Chief Operating Officer Brent Bishop.

“Many people may not be aware that St. Lawrence Health already offers Wound Care Physical Therapy in Massena and Potsdam, and provides inpatient Wound Care at Massena, Canton-Potsdam, and Gouverneur hospitals. With the addition of our Center, St. Lawrence Heath will provide a full spectrum of Wound Care services,” he said.

Specifics about the Wound Care Center, along with a walk-through video of the suite, may be found at https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/services/wound-care.

The hospital is also in the midst of a “refresh” of its emergency department.

The updates will include a new nurses’ station, flooring, paint, wall protection, and new sinks and countertops throughout all of the ED.

The project includes an updated behavioral health room, new patient registration space with co-located Security Office, medical supply room, a dedicated Patient Family Consultation room adjacent to the ED, and new interior and exterior signage for the emergency area.

New providers

To date in 2024, three new providers have been hired: Pediatrics provider Alexandra Pesold, NP; Cardiology provider Nay Saechao, NP; and Neurology provider Chelsea Yager, PA.

During 2023, five new doctors joined the MH team: Pain Management physician Billy Carstens, DO; Behavioral Health physician Joshua Frank, MD; Wound Care physician Robert Nordberg, MD; Primary Care physician Michelle Prentice, MD; and Internal Medicine physician Nigelarani Sivapalasingam, MD.

“We relocated the Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation unit to its own wing on the first floor and gave the space a full refresh. This relocation provides a greatly expanded environment for our patients needing this service, along with newly purchased equipment for their care,” Bishop said.

The hospital also received a Grade A Leapfrog rating in the fall of 2023, which is a hospital rating focused on patient safety, said a press release from St. Lawrence Health.

“While we have more work to do as we continue to expand services in Massena and remain focused on quality and patient experience, we are headed in a great direction. I am extremely thankful to have such dedicated providers and team members throughout our Hospital and health system, and for our volunteers, MH Auxiliary, MH Foundation, and Board of Directors who we rely on for community support. You are all ambassadors of Massena Hospital and the reason we are still here and growing,” Bishop said.