North Country Leader

Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York, has been granted a Provisional Level III Adult Trauma Center designation by the New York State Department of Health. This development highlights the hospital's commitment to providing advanced care for patients with traumatic injuries.

In 2024, the Emergency Department at Samaritan Medical Center treated over 30,000 patients, with more than 600 receiving care for traumatic injuries. The designation aims to ensure that individuals can receive critical treatment closer to home.

Level III Trauma Centers are crucial for communities without immediate access to higher-level trauma facilities. They offer definitive care for mild to moderate injuries and have systems in place to evaluate and transfer patients with severe injuries to Level I or II centers if necessary. Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse remains the only Level I Trauma Center in Central New York.

Thomas H. Carman, President and CEO of Samaritan Medical Center, expressed pride in receiving the provisional designation: "We are honored to receive the Provisional Level III Trauma Center designation from the New York State Department of Health." He emphasized that this step is significant for highlighting their trauma care capabilities.

Daniel Bryden, DO, who serves as the Trauma Medical Director at Samaritan Medical Center, noted: "The provisional designation is an essential first step in our long-term goal of becoming an ACS Verified Level III Trauma Center."

The hospital aims to complete a two-year verification process with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to become an officially recognized ACS Verified Level III Adult Trauma Center.