Development Chenango donates $100K to UHS Chenango Memorial capital campaign

NORWICH, N.Y. — Development Chenango — Chenango County’s top economic-development organization — has donated $100,000 to support investment at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Martin Dietrich, chairman of the capital campaign, noted that funds raised during the capital campaign will support construction of a new emergency room and walk-in center, as well as strategic investments in diagnostic imaging and infrastructure to support the growth of future services. The work is part of the first phase of the hospital’s Chenango Medical Neighborhood Plan, which seeks to “transform” the delivery of care at UHS Chenango Memorial.

“These are investments that will improve the health of our community, and ensure the sustainability and vitality of our hospital for generations to come,” Dietrich said in a news release. Dietrich retired as president and CEO of NBT Bank and NBT Bancorp (NASDAQ: NBTB) in 2016.

Dietrich also thanked Development Chenango for its support of the project.

“The hospital is an essential asset to our community, particularly when it comes to recruiting and retaining businesses. It is obvious that Development Chenango recognizes the importance of Chenango Memorial and the role it plays, not just in health care, but in the economic viability of our community,” Dietrich said.

“On behalf of the Development Chenango board of directors, I’m pleased to announce this contribution to support the building of our Chenango medical neighborhood,” Dominic Shea, chair of Development Chenango, said in the release. “The goals of the capital campaign align with those of [Development Chenango] — to maintain and develop businesses in Chenango County, to attain and maintain vital infrastructure to support our community, and to increase employment opportunities. This project does all that and more, providing all of us with a critical resource for our families — a hospital providing vital care to our community.”

Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green accompanied Shea to the Norwich hospital for a ceremonial check presentation with hospital and campaign leaders.

“I am so pleased that the Development Chenango Board voted to make this investment to the capital campaign at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital,” said Green, who serves as executive director of the economic-development agency by virtue of her new leadership role at Commerce Chenango.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is a member of United Health Services, a Binghamton–based nonprofit 916-bed hospital and health-care system serving the Greater Binghamton region from more than 40 locations across the Southern Tier.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com