Inc.: Let The Healing Begin

For decades, residents of Columbia, Greene and surrounding counties have faced a frustrating reality when it comes to healthcare. Options were limited, wait times were long and many found themselves heading to Albany or even New York City just to get the care they needed. But that’s changing—and fast.

The post-pandemic migration that reshaped our towns also brought new businesses, new investments and, most importantly, new energy into local healthcare. Columbia County, home to one of the oldest populations per capita in the Empire State, needs expanded care for aging residents. At the same time, an influx of young families and weekenders putting down permanent roots has pushed demand higher than ever.

Enter Columbia Memorial Health (CMH). Caring for patients in and around Hudson, NY, since the late 1800s, it recently became part of Albany Med Health System following a recent merger. Today, CMH is ushering in a new era of care, complete with expanded services, cutting-edge technology and a renewed focus on keeping patients local.

“We’ve always been committed to improving access to primary care because we serve a rural community,” says Dorothy M. Urschel, DNP, President and CEO of CMH. “Now, we’re making it easier for patients to get timely appointments—not just with primary care doctors, but also with specialists and sub-specialists.”

One of the biggest game-changers? The rollout of the Epic electronic medical record system. While it might sound like a behind-the-scenes upgrade, the impact is huge. Now, patient records are instantly accessible across CMH, Albany Medical Center and healthcare partners such as Saratoga Glens Falls Hospital. “If you come into CMH’s ER but your doctor is in Albany, we can pull up your records instantly—saving time and improving care,” Urschel explains.

Beyond digitization, CMH is making big moves where it matters most. New Centers of Excellence have launched in gastroenterology and endoscopy, orthopedics, women’s health and primary care. The newly opened Women’s Health Center is a prime example of this transformation. “Women no longer have to leave the community for top-tier gynecological care,” Urschel says. “We’ve modernized equipment, expanded services and created a space where women feel comfortable and cared for.”

And there’s more on the way. CMH is developing an ambulatory surgical center in Greene County, making outpatient procedures more convenient. An expansion of cardiology services will allow patients with chest pain to get immediate evaluations close to home by well-trained cardiologists. And with a $5 million award from New York State to enhance psychiatric care, CMH will nearly double its inpatient psychiatric beds—addressing a long-standing need in the region.

What was once a hassle—driving hours for a specialist, waiting months for an appointment—is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. CMH is at the forefront, but neighboring networks including Berkshire Health Systems and NuVance Health are also stepping up and making investments, transforming healthcare access across the region. In fact, Berkshire Medical Center was recently named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2025, and NuVance’s New Milford Hospital received initial accreditation in family medicine residency.

All of this means that residents no longer have to choose between convenience and quality. The care they need is right here, in the mountains they call home.

As Urschel puts it, “Without us, this would be a healthcare desert. We’re committed to keeping care local, accessible and patient-centered. And we’re just getting started.”