Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2012

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES ADIRONDACK MEDICAL CENTER TO RECEIVE OVER $112,000 FEDERAL GRANT FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES – INVESTMENT WILL LEAD TO STATE-OF-THE- ART, HIGH-TECH HEALTH SERVICES IN ADK REGION

Funding Will Use Innovative, Virtual Technology to Provide Rural Access to Medical Specialists Based in Saranac Lake Schumer: This Investment Will Keep ADK Communities on the Frontlines of Quality Health Care

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Adirondack Medical Center has received a Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant for $112,860 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant will be used to improve telehealth options for outpatient clinics across the Adirondack region.

“Telemedicine has proven itself to be both a cost and time saver,” said Schumer. “It is the perfect fit for the Adirondacks where patients may have previously had to drive some distance, often in winter weather, to see a doctor. This allows outpatients to have the doctor come to them.”

Rural Development funds will be used to implement a telemedicine network connecting the main hospital at Saranac Lake with satellite clinics in the nearby rural areas – setting up new video end points to extend the hospital’s medical services. The network will allow rural clinicians to visually consult with medical specialists at the hospital, to synchronize patient information between sites, and to realize cost-savings at every point in the process, especially travel costs for patients. The primary and secondary service areas span over 1,200 square miles in rural, upstate New York.

The grant is part of the USDA Rural Development annual budget. USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of necessary community and technology infrastructure.

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