Sharon Hospital, currently part of a seven-hospital system operated by Nuvance Health, may become part of a 28-hospital system under Northwell Health if an agreement between Northwell and Nuvance is approved by regulators.
NEW HYDE PARK — Nuvance Health will combine with Northwell Health, the largest health provider in New York state, to form a 28-hospital system that spans the New York-Connecticut border, the two organizations announced Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Before the agreement is finalized, it must be approved by New York, Connecticut and the Federal Trade Commission.
Nuvance Health, based in Danbury, Connecticut, operates seven hospitals in western Connecticut and Dutchess County, including Sharon Hospital and Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, while Northwell, based in New Hyde Park, operates 21 hospitals and nearly 900 outpatient facilities. According to Northwell, its 85,000 employees also make the system the largest private employer in New York state.
“This partnership opens a new and exciting chapter for Northwell and Nuvance and provides an incredible opportunity to enhance both health systems and take patient care and services to an even higher level,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health, in a statement.
Nuvance Health, has been struggling financially. At Sharon Hospital, which loses some $20 million annually, Nuvance hoped to cut losses by closing the maternity ward, which it said loses $3 million a year. Its application to close the unit was denied by Connecticut in February.
Sharon Hospital’s losses are not unique in the Nuvance network. Nuvance as a whole, apart from a $6 million net gain in 2021, has been operating at annual net losses of eight and nine figures since its formation in 2019.
Last summer, its outstanding debt was downgraded again by S&P and by Moody’s; Moody’s noted that Nuvance’s “next several quarters” would be “pivotal.” For its fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023, Nuvance posted a net loss of $121.5 million.
In a statement, Dr. John M. Murphy, president and CEO of Nuvance Health, said that “By joining forces with Northwell Health, we are taking a giant leap forward in our shared mission to enhance the quality, accessibility and equity of the health care we provide to our communities.”
In their joint announcement, the two companies stated that “Northwell will make significant investments in Nuvance Health,” and that the “integration” would create more, and better, health care jobs.
Asked what this means in Sharon, Sharon Hospital CEO Christina McCulloch noted that “the details of what will happen, if all gets approved” and the Nuvance system becomes part of Northwell Health, “are yet to be determined.” But, she said, “Northwell has agreed to invest in all of the [Nuvance] hospitals if this does come to be” and if the deal gets approved, the agreement will strengthen SH’s ability to provide care.”
“The news of Nuvance’s merger into Northwell Health comes at a time of general consolidation of healthcare systems across our state,” observed state Rep. Maria Horn (D-64).
“I understand the financial challenges Nuvance has been facing,” said Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding, whose district includes New Milford and Sharon. He continued: “I am encouraged to hear that ‘patient-facing’ jobs are not in jeopardy. I am also encouraged to hear that key investments will be made and that health care access will be increase.”
Harding added: “however, like many, I have significant concerns for myself and my fellow neighbors in the 30th Senate District. Ensuring that existing medical services in our local hospitals remain fully open and operational, particularly Sharon Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Unit, is of the utmost importance to me, and I hope it remains of utmost importance to Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy as they review this merger.”
McCulloch noted that the arrangement between Nuvance and Northwell is not legally considered a merger or an acquisition but an “agreement.”
Also noting Nuvance’s financial difficulties, District 19 Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago said he hoped that this deal would end Nuvance’s attempts to cut services at Sharon Hospital. He also said that he hopes that it will improve the hospital’s ability to attract and retain staff and medical talent to better serve the community.
“I do worry that typically consolidation drives cost up and quality down,” he said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”
Horn shared: “In my conversations with Sharon Hospital leadership, it has been suggested that the significant resources of the new system will lead to increased support for Sharon Hospital and the community it serves. I look forward to learning about the system’s strategic commitment to Sharon Hospital specifically, and look forward to a public process at which these questions can be addressed.”
Nuvance and Northwell describe an “integrated healthcare system.” The organizations say that the deal will grant “local communities” access to “coordinated care across western Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island.” They also promise that both Northwell and Nuvance will “continue to provide care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay.”
The terms of the deal, which is still subject to state and federal approval, are not clear for Sharon Hospital, said McCulloch.
Amy Forni, a spokeperson for Nuvance Health, said that Nuvance expects to be filing for approval for the agreement in the coming months.
McCulloch noted that the regulatory and approval process could, Nuvance estimates, take a year or more.
1909 — Sharon Hospital is founded in a rented house by Dr. Jerome Chaffee.
1916 — A new building opens with 16 beds and three nurses.
1947 — Dr. Chaffee dies.
2002 — The nonprofit hospital is purchased by Essent Healthcare of Tennessee, becoming the first for-profit hospital in the state. A group called Save the Hospital was formed to protest the sale.
2011 — Essent Healthcare merges with RegionalCare Hospital Partners, also based in Tennessee.
2016 — Health Quest takes over Sharon Hospital from Essent and it becomes a nonprofit again.Health Quest was formed from the merger of three hospitals: Vassar Brothers in Poughkeepsie; Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck; and Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel.
2019 — Health Quest merges with Western CT Health Network, with hospitals in Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford, to become Nuvance Health.
2024 — Nuvance Health announced plan to join nonprofit hospital system Northwell Health.
Cumberland Farms gas station on Route 343 in downtown Amenia.
AMENIA — Expanding the capacity for wastewater handling at the Cumberland Farms site along Route 343, the Planning Board at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, discussed the plans and referred the project on to Dutchess County officials for decision.
Representing Cumberland Farms was Caryn Mlodzianowski, project engineer for Bohler Engineering of Albany, specialists in engineering challenging sites.
Mlodzianowski described plans to replace the current inadequate septic system at the site with a larger capacity system installing four tanks that would collect, settle, pump and process, all on-site. A two-foot retaining wall on the western side is included in the plan. She was seeking site plan approval.
“The project is for construction of a new wastewater treatment facility,” explained John Andrews, Planning Board engineer, noting that the project is classed as a “minor improvement,” and therefore not subject to a public hearing.
“The site is subject to flooding and located in a floodway,” Andrews noted. “When you seek to fill in a floodway, the site needs to be examined by county officials.
Although bog turtles were said to be absent from the site, Planning Board member Ken Topolsky asked for documentation of the possible effects of any disturbance within the site’s wetlands.
Agreeing that there is a substantive flood potential on the site, Planning Board member Nina Peek also noted the absence of promised landscaping along the Route 343 frontage between the current parking lot and the road.
An application to allow for a private driveway to one of the lots that are part of the Tower Hill Subdivision was detailed by Rich Rennia of Rennia Engineering.
Terming it a “slight change in the map,” Rennia said that the plans were originally approved in June 2023, revised in January 2024, and re-approved the following month.
“One of the lots is now looking for a private driveway,” Rennia said.
The new proposal only adjusts a lot line, Andrews noted, but a public hearing on the change would be needed.
The Planning Board agreed to schedule a public hearing on the lot line change for their regular meeting on Wednesday, March 12.
MILLERTON — The Town of North East held a board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, to create a “memorandum of understanding” contract between the Village of Millerton and the town, explaining how the town will assist the village after its Highway and Water Department building caught fire on Feb. 3.
“The resolution authorizes the town superintendent of highways to assist the Village of Millerton and its highway department with plowing, repair and maintenance of the village highways,” supervisor Chris Kennan said. “Pursuant to provisions of section 142e of the Highway Law, during the period of the Village’s state of emergency.”
Village mayor Jenn Najdek was in attendance to share updates on the status of the investigation and village needs after the fire. “Everyone did a really good job, under extremely stressful circumstances, to figure out a path moving forward,” Najdek said, explaining the support from the town, county, state and surrounding communities has been beneficial and remains appreciated.
“We’re pretty fortunate. It makes you realize what a special place this is to live in,” Najdek said. “When all those resources all of a sudden show up at your door when you need them, that’s pretty cool.”
The town has unanimously accepted a bid for the installation of the Highway garage’s fencing, working with the company Fesco Fence.
For this project, the town received eight different bids from potential contractors with the ranging costs of $166,000 to $328,676. Fesco Fence was the lowest bid submitted, which included the company’s 10% contingency allowance of $15,090.91.
During the meeting Kennan spoke briefly about a new cell tower slated to be built in Ancram. He is receptive to feedback on the topic which has elicited a mixed response from residents. “It’s not in our town, but it’s right on our border and we are familiar with things like the Transfer Station that was placed in the Town of Salisbury,” Kennan said. “I think it’s important that we at least note this so we have an opportunity to talk about it.”
As of Thursday night, the town had collected 37% of taxes, and paid off the Fire District’s budget, according to Tilly Strauss. Along with taxes, the board created a flyer to send out with every receipt to show the community where their money will be going.
Amenia has now been certified as a pro-housing community and has completed the proper paperwork to show its updated zoning and/or building permits, councilwoman Meg Winkler said. “We will be getting into that next year, maybe the end of this year,” Winkler said.
The new Town Hall is now taking its first baby steps, Kennan said, he spent most of Thursday morning at the new building where he was working with a HVAC company to get the system up and running.
“It has been out of service for several years, so there are a couple pieces of equipment in those units that are not working,” Kennan said. “It’s really a first step in our process of getting the work underway, is to get that system working properly.”
Village of Millerton offices on Route 22
MILLERTON — On Monday, Feb. 10, a board meeting was held, largely centered on the impact of the Feb. 3 fire that destroyed the Village Water and Highway building located on Route 22. In addition to the loss of the building, vehicles, equipment and tools were also destroyed.
“If we go back to the cause, it is still undetermined,” said mayor Jenn Najdek, who stated foul play had been ruled out. She also confirmed the garage remained off-limits as the investigation is still ongoing.
Alongside the Mayor, village trustees expressed their concern regarding rumors as to the cause of the fire. According to trustee David Sherman, transparency with the public is key to distinguishing fact from fiction. “I think we should, through whatever releases we can make, make it abundantly clear what that status is so we can squelch these kinds of rumors that are oozing up in the community,” said Sherman.
The Village is working with Nordic Environment Finance Corporation, an independent cause and origin investigation company, to determine the cause of the blaze. According to Najdek, once the investigation is complete, investigators will greenlight the premises for entrance. Najdek also emphasized while investigators are working toward determining a cause, one may or may not be found, contingent on what the investigation yields.
According to Najdek, the Town of East Fishkill sent their engineer the morning of the fire to assist Village’s water operators in setting up a system to ensure drinking water would continue to flow. The village’s supply of drinking water has been continuously evaluated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as well as the Board of health to ensure fitness for human consumption.
With one of the wells being destroyed in the fire, the Village’s water will be conditioned as required and pumped from well no. 1, known as the “doghouse,” to a holding tank as a temporary solution.
“Well no. 2 that was in the building, we can selectively demo around it, secure it, get a semi permanent structure,” Najdek said. “We don’t know what that’s going to be. There’s one hundred different solutions for that, and we will know more after this week.”
The Village trustees showed interest in an acting structure which resembles a “plug and play” system, where all water operating equipment will be housed. “We will be meeting with the engineer, the water operator and Pete [Dellaghelfa, Village’s Superintendent of Public Works], this week on-site and we will start looking for the immediate, short-term solution,” said Najdek.
Previously, the Millerton Water Department housed two 10-inch diameter wells in an unconsolidated aquifer that allowed filtration through 50 feet of sand and gravel. The water then gets pumped into an elevated holding tank, where it is treated and chlorinated before being distributed to residents.
Currently, well no. 1 is being operated by a generator while the power lines to the building are in the midst of being fixed. The intent of these lines, according to Najdek, is to potentially serve electricity to both of the wells and the baseball field lighting.
With the loss of vehicles and equipment, the village is hoping to be indemnified once insurance claims are settled. “We’ve incurred a lot of expenses so far,” Najdek said, explaining her confidence in village insurer New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal. “I feel pretty good about them being able to handle our needs in a timely manner.”
The Village will have a three-month window to borrow vehicles or equipment as needed from the town, county or the state. “God forbid the county’s truck hits the bed, we can ask the state ‘Do you have any trucks that you could loan us?’” Najdek said.
The mayor requested the Highway and Police department compile a wish list of vehicles and equipment for immediate needs. The village hopes to avoid buying used trucks and equipment, hopefully avoiding any problems that come with them, said public works superintendent Dellaghelfa. “It’s not that I’m against used. I just want to see that the village is getting their money’s worth.”
Once Najdek has confirmation from the insurance company, the village will start moving forward with the “wish-lists” from both the Highway and Police Departments. At this time, patience is what’s needed most, explained Najdek. “For those who have never been through a fire, this is a marathon. It’s not a sprint,” she said. “Sometimes answers don’t come into the third mile or fourth mile. It’s not something where information comes quickly from insurance companies everyday, so there will potentially be no updates.”
The village’s state of emergency declaration, which went into effect the morning of the fire, remains in place.
During the meeting, trustee Sherman provided updates on where the village stands for the Community Development Block Grant. The village is planning to use this grant to replace a few sections of sidewalks which need improvement.
“Some things are going to require some engineering input to see how we can rebuild this area,” Sherman said. “The aim is to put some estimates together and have the board’s consideration for our next meeting to approve making a CDBG application for this 2025 year and keeping it with a total cost under the $200,000 level, which is the max.”
According to Sherman, the focus will be on the sidewalks near John Street, also known as Smith Court and North Center Street. The Village needs to submit its request for the grant by Monday, March 3, to be considered.
The Lakeville Journal and Millerton News are seeking young journalists for an educational internship program.
The six week program provides training in the everyday operations of a community weekly. Interns will learn the news-gatheringprocess from pitch to print through regular workshops with industry professionals on topics such as photography, libel and copy-editing.
Interns will also work closely with the papers’ staff. Editors will collaborate with interns to develop stories and provide feedback throughout the program. The papers’ reporters will take interns into the field for shadowing opportunities, teaching interviewing and photography in action.
By the end of the program, interns should be capable of reporting and writing a hard news story or feature fit for print, and should have an article clip and a photograph to start a reporting portfolio. Interns should finish the six-week program with an understanding of current community journalism best practices, interviewing techniques and news-writing skills.
Interested students can find the application online at lakevillejournal.com/education-internship-programs or on our social media accounts.
