The final piece of the Crystal Run Healthcare puzzle fell back into place at Catskill Regional Medical Center this week. “We’re back, and we’re committed,” said Dr. Hal Teitelbaum, CEO of the private multi-physician practice.

The addition this week of OB/GYNs Dr. Timothy Rydell and Dr. Ilan Zedek brings to 70 the number of Crystal Run physicians with privileges to provide treatment at the hospital in Harris.
Before Crystal Run pulled its doctors in May 2006, 62 of its physicians were working at the hospital in a variety of medical specialties.

Obstetrics and gynecology is the last of the specialties represented in 2006 to return, Teitelbaum said.

But Crystal Run isn’t done.

With at least one orthopedic surgeon credentialed to work at the hospital and several more anticipated, the private practice will be adding orthopedic and general surgery to its offerings in Harris.

Also coming within the next six months to a year are urology services from Crystal Run, Teitelbaum said. OB/GYN will be expanded as soon as this summer when an already hired doctor comes on board. Another hire will bring to four the number of Crystal Run OB/GYNs dedicated entirely to practicing medicine in Sullivan County, delivering babies and performing gynecological surgeries at the hospital.

Also in the new agreement is the privileges afforded the entire range of Crystal Run Healthcare OB/GYNs to practice at CRMC if needed.

With that will come revenue for the hospital and Crystal Run. Teitelbaum hopes it will also bring a renewed faith in the hospital, reducing the out-migration of Sullivan County residents to hospitals beyond the county’s borders. Teitelbaum pulled his doctors in 2006 because of concerns with the quality of care being provided at CRMC. Those concerns have been quelled, he said, and the decision to restore services in full should reflect that.

A big part of the renewed relationship was the affiliation in mid-2007 with Orange Regional Medical Center, Teitelbaum said. Also key was the overhaul of the administration and the board at Catskill Regional.

(Source: Sullivan County Democrat)