A new era in healthcare: Reflecting on a transformative year at UHS

2024 was a monumental year for UHS. We celebrated outstanding achievements, embraced innovation and reaffirmed our shared commitment to patient-centered care. As we reflect on this transformative year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible teams at UHS who made it all possible.

Expansion & Advancement Across UHS

One of the year's highlights was the grand opening of our UHS Wilson Main Tower in Johnson City. This state-of-the-art facility revolutionized patient care with 120 private patient rooms, a remodeled Emergency Department and a centrally located helipad providing direct access to emergency care. Serving as the new front door to the UHS Wilson Medical Center campus, the Wilson Main Tower began welcoming patients and visitors in June.

In response to the closure of several community pharmacies, UHS seized the opportunity to expand services by opening the UHS Pharmacy Johnson City at 345 Main Street. Conveniently located across the street from the UHS Wilson Main Tower, the pharmacy serves both UHS patients and the community with a drive-through option and a pharmacist-led vaccination clinic. This 24/7 pharmacy, the closest to area hospitals, also offers specialty medication services for patients with complex conditions.

To address community needs further, we opened UHS Child Care, providing essential services for local families, including our employees. The center accommodates children of all ages and features a highly rated educational curriculum through our partnership with Bright Horizons.

Throughout our system, we celebrated many milestones:

• UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, NY, continued work on the Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood, enhancing the Intensive Care Unit, patient rooms and Orthopedics Center. These updates built on previous renovations to the Emergency Department, Walk-In Center, and main entrance.
• UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, serving Walton, NY, broadened its services by opening a brand-new Walk-In Center—the only one in Delaware County. Additionally, the hospital introduced the County’s first full-time MRI machine, offering residents convenient access to high-quality imaging services.

Awards, Recognition & Dedication

UHS received recognition from local and national organizations, including:

• The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce "2024 Transformative Award" for the development and impact of the UHS Wilson Main Tower project.
• The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With the Guidelines—Stroke Gold PLUS Quality Achievement Award for exemplary stroke care.
• Press Ganey’s Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award for UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, placing its Emergency Department in the top 5% nationwide.
• A five-star quality ranking from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for UHS Senior Living at Ideal, highlighting our dedication to nursing facility residents.
• Four-star quality and five-star patient experience rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for UHS Home Care, positioning us as a leader in skilled nursing, medical equipment and supplies.
• The dedication of the UHS Salanger Outpatient Center to Matthew and Mary Ellen Salanger, honoring their contributions to UHS and the community.

Innovation at the Forefront

Technology played a pivotal role in transforming patient care with advanced treatment options:

• We introduced the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy, enabling early detection and treatment of lung cancer. This minimally invasive tool reaches all 18 lung segments, providing precise and lifesaving care. We are the first healthcare system in Greater Binghamton to offer this innovative technology.
• Our team became a pioneer in using the BEAR® Implant to treat ACL tears. This FDA-approved technology promotes natural healing through a minimally invasive procedure, making us one of the few providers offering it in Greater Binghamton and Northeast Pennsylvania.
• Our Focused Ultrasound program was launched to treat essential tremor, a common movement disorder. This incisionless, state-of-the-art treatment uses ultrasound energy guided by MRI to target and alleviate tremors. We are the only healthcare system in Upstate New York to provide this cutting-edge option.

UHS sincerely thanks our patients, employees and community for trust us with their healthcare needs. Our patients remain at the core of everything we do, shaping our mission to serve and operate within the community. Across the UHS System, we have witnessed the transformative power of our care—whether through the opening of the UHS Wilson Main Tower, the adoption of innovative technologies, or providing a safe haven for healing. As we move forward, we are committed to embracing new opportunities and innovations, continuing to lead the way in healthcare for the Greater Binghamton area.