Thursday, May 28, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of the new Broad Street entrance, expanded Orthopedic Suite, and Gift Shop as part of phase two of the Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood Project. (Photo from UHS CMH)

NORWICH – After over a decade of planning and millions of dollars of investment, on Thursday May 28, the UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital unveiled it's new Orthopedic Suite, Broad Street Entrance, and gift shop with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public tours.

These updates are part of phase two of the Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood Project.

This modernization project aims to enhance and expand access to high-quality patient care in the region. The ribbon-cutting marked a major milestone on the way towards achieving that goal. Many were in attendance to mark the momentous occasion, including state and local officials.

This phase of the Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood Project significantly upgraded the Broad Street Entrance to be fully ADA compliant, it features a new elevator, curved staircase and a new front desk area.

The new Orthopedics Suite has more than 15 exam rooms, and a dedicated X-ray suite. A fully rebuilt gift shop welcomes visitors and is totally run by volunteers. In addition to the upgrades to the hospital's building, they expanded the parking lot to add more than 100 new parking spaces, including several accessible handicap parking spots right by the new main entrance for easy patient access.

Opening and concluding the ceremony was President & CEO of Chenango memorial Hospital, Cecil Miller.

The Mayor of Norwich, Robert Jeffrey, President & CEO of UHS, John Carigg, and Vice Chair of UHS Board of Directors and President of NBT Bank, Joe Stagliano, all gave speeches prior to cutting the ribbon.

Miller, before introducing the first speaker reflected on the hard work, years of dedication, and teamwork that made it possible. He said, “This moment isn't about a new space. It's about people, the effort, and the commitment that made it possible. I'm grateful to be part of this team that continues to build, grow, and achieve great things together.”

Mayor Jeffrey recognized how Chenango Memorial Hospital is a longstanding pillar of the community for both the City of Norwich and Chenango County and thanked everyone who helped bring the project to life as well as all of the hospital employees who serve the community.

“The investments we celebrate today show a commitment not only to modern medicine and healthcare, but to the overall holistic experience of every patient and family member who comes here. The new North Broad Street Entrance creates an inviting first impression and helps ensure that every visitor, every patient, feels supported from the moment they arrive. The orthopedics suite represents continued investment in high-quality specialty care close to home, allowing residents throughout Chenango County to receive excellent treatment without needing to travel far from family and community. And while a gift shop may seem small in comparison, it often provides moments of comfort and kindness for patients and loved ones during their challenging times,” said Jeffrey.

Carigg spoke about UHS's commitment to strengthening rural healthcare. He explained that the phased approach of the project by gradually updating facilities, advanced services at the hospital without disrupting patient-centered care.

“At UHS, our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, and these investments in the future of rural health care are integral to advancing that mission. As the region's largest and most comprehensive integrated health care system, we have a responsibility to provide comprehensive, trusted care that is accessible and convenient for patients wherever they are. We are committed to ensuring the rural communities we serve have access to modern facilities that keep pace with the rapidly advancing health care landscape, supporting safety, quality, and an excellent patient experience,” said Carigg.

Aside from patient access and experience, Carigg touched on another critical rural healthcare issue, employee recruitment, and retaining top talent. Carigg expressed that these meaningful investments also support employee experience. He warmly thanked the staff at the hospital saying, “Thank you to the wonderful staff and medical staff here at Chenango Memorial Hospital for your patience and support through this project, and for the outstanding care you provide for our patients every single day. Your dedication to exceptional health care right here in Norwich is truly an example of leading the UHS way.”

Further recognizing the phased approach of the project Carigg relayed that this milestone does not mark the end of it. According to the UHS website in late 2026 an infusion center will be added and in early 2027 a redesign of the Inpatient/Med-Surge floor and Intensive Care Unit is expected as part of the Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood Project.

Stagliano then addressed the crowd. “We have what many communities our size only dream of, high-quality medical services delivered in high-quality facilities, producing high-quality outcomes. We have it right here in Norwich,” he said.

Stagliano called the over $100 million invested in the hospital over the last decade or so, a commitment to Norwich and Chenango County that ensures long term benefits, security, and resources. “Communities thrive when they have strong employment opportunities, strong schools, a vibrant and safe downtown, and a hospital that they can rely on. And today, we celebrate strengthening one of the most important pillars of that foundation, that's this hospital,” he said.

Stagliano also thanked many in attendance personally for their contributions and support to the project, saying, “This project is more than a construction effort. It's an investment in people, in health, and in the future of Chenango. Thank you for believing in this hospital, for supporting this vision, and for continuing to build a community we are all proud to call home.”

Miller thanked the staff, physicians, leadership, board, partners and the entire community for their support and belief in the hospital.

“Today's event is more than about spaces, it's about what those spaces mean to people we serve,” said Miller. He explained how the new entrance creates easier, more welcoming access to patients and visitors, especially those coming for orthopedic or mobility care. He said, “It's designed to reduce stress and improve the overall experience from the moment somebody arrives.”

Miller explained how the expanded orthopedic suite gives patients access to care closer to home. He even touched on the gift shop saying, “Our lobby gift shop, operated by our dedicated hospital auxiliary, it may seem like a small addition, but it represents something very meaningful. It offers comfort, connection, and a sense of normalcy during moments when people need it most. And it reflects the generosity and spirit of volunteers who support this hospital every day.”

Miller stated that the hospital is committed to creating an environment that supports, healing, compassion, and dignity for its patients, their families, and its staff.

After his concluding remarks Miller officially cut the ribbon on the new entrance and invited the crowd in for tours of the lobby, orthopedic suite and gift shop.

One attendee, a Dr. Michael Trevisani, who was there for the tour said, “Very exciting to see the developments here and how far we've come over the years. It's really a great advancement for healthcare for this community. It's a wonderful addition. It will be very much appreciated for many years to come.”

The Tour included a walk through of the new lobby where you walk through the Broad Street Entrance, are greeted at the new registration desk and could either go straight in to an elevator or up the new curved staircase. Once up the stairs you see the new expanded gift shop with welcoming volunteers already there. The hallway and lobby was spacious and accommodating to the crowd who, spread out to see the new parts of the building.

As tours were ongoing you could hear exclamations by attendees saying things like, “how nice” “wish that bathroom was here last time I came in” and “wow it's great to have this X-ray suite”

The tour of the Orthopedic Suite involved taking an elevator to the second floor where you walk out to a fresh waiting room and office area. The suite has over 15 exam rooms that are all extremely private and furnished. The exam rooms are laid out in a circular hallway with the nurses and doctors desks at the center of the wing. In between the exam rooms at the peak of the circle is the large dedicated X-ray suite. There were also new bathrooms in between some of the rooms, that those on the tour expressed gratitude for. Not to mention the new parking that allowed for all of the ceremony attendees to come and go with ease. It was clear that these updates were done with deliberate consideration of how patients can best access the care that they need at Chenango Memorial Hospital, from parking to their doctor visit.

This ribbon cutting event represents more than just the opening of a new entrance, gift shop, and orthopedic suite, it reflects a long-term commitment and investment to a rural hospital. The Chenango Memorial Medical Neighborhood Project through service expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and patient-access improvements is leading the way towards strengthening the healthcare system for the residents right here in the heart of Chenango County.