To better serve its patients, Community Memorial Hospital will institute a hospitalist program early this fall. Dr. Robert Delorme, Medical Director of the hospital’s five Family Health Centers and a long-time physician in Waterville, will serve as the hospitalist.

“Community Memorial is committed to providing its patients with the best available care,” said Hospital President and CEO David W. Felton. “Dr. Delorme will attend to every need during a patient’s hospital stay — such as ordering tests, prescribing medications and monitoring results. At each step of the process, as our hospitalist, he will communicate with the primary care physician to assure the proper care of his or her patient.”

The initiative is necessary in part because of the changing nature of medicine and a decision by a group of primary care physicians to focus exclusively on their office practices. Physicians employed by the hospital and private practitioners Dr. Rich Cohen and Dr. Nathan Keever will continue to take call on nights and weekends. One of the fastest growing specialties nationwide, a hospitalist takes over for a primary care physician when it comes time to admit a patient and is in charge of all aspects of that patient’s treatment while in the hospital.

“Times change and situations evolve, making it necessary to keep pace,” said Dr. Delorme. “I believe we can provide our hospital patients better care, offer informed patient consultation, answer questions immediately and be bedside throughout a shift with a reassuring voice.

“I think hospitalists will lead the way in inpatient care,” continued Dr. Delorme. “With lifestyle requirements becoming an increasing priority, more and more physicians are seeking more flexible schedules with less hospital work. The addition of hospitalists could revolutionize the way many physicians practice medicine.”

To accommodate the new program, Dr. Barbara Harcleroad, who has been a member of the Cazenovia Family Health Center staff for two years, will replace Dr. Delorme in Waterville. Dr. Harcleroad lives in Waterville and her son attends local schools.

“It was an extremely hard decision,” said Dr. Delorme. “I have really enjoyed working with my patients the last 27 years. I urge all my patients to continue with Dr. Harcleroad. We have a similar temperament and approach to medicine.”

Community Memorial is recruiting a family practice physician for Cazenovia to join Dr. Carolyn Coveney and Dr. Cynthia Jones. Dr. Jennifer Meyers, a highly-trained pediatrician, has joined the Medical Staff and will begin seeing patients in August. Her offices are in the Hamilton Family Health Center and she will have the support of the Golisano Children’s Hospital at University Hospital in Syracuse.

“Dr. Delorme is an outstanding physician and we feel strongly having him available to see patients throughout the day will ensure continuity of care and more effective communications,” said Felton.