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Crystal Run's 25+ Year Employee Spotlight

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25 years.

Some years were more challenging than others.
But every year was inspiring. Driving us to work harder.
To care for more people who need us.
To change before change was needed.
To make our patients better.
To make ourselves better.
So here’s to the next 25 years.

Read more about our story at: CrystalRunHealthcare.com/ChangingLives

2021 marks Crystal Run Healthcare’s 25th Anniversary! It’s been a privilege to provide care to so many people across the Hudson Valley for the past 25 years. We are grateful to all of our physicians, providers and staff who’ve worked tirelessly to change healthcare in our region and who change the lives of our patients every day. We’d like to take a moment to recognize those employees who’ve been with Crystal Run since the beginning.

   

 

Do you have an anecdote, story, or reflection about the past 25 years you’d like to share?
Shortly after I began working at Crystal Run (at the front desk of 300) I ran into a friend I grew up with. She was bringing her father to see Dr. Teitelbaum for cancer treatment. She expressed how much she appreciated the care he was given, how much her father liked Dr. Teitelbaum, and how his condition improved even though his cancer was terminal. When I attended her father’s wake, she shared that one Sunday afternoon Dr. Teitelbaum showed up at her parent’s house and just sat with her father for a while. She and her family were so appreciative of the gesture. Dr. T has always gone above and beyond for his patients and I knew that as he grew the practice, he’d hire other providers who’d do the same. For the 25 years I have been here working alongside Dr. T, he continues to provide care with the patient’s best interest at heart.

What do you like most about working at Crystal Run Healthcare?
I have always loved the ability to consult my colleagues in order to provide great care to patients - you never feel like you don’t have something to offer a patient in need.

Do you have an anecdote, story, or reflection about the past 25 years you’d like to share?
Twenty five years, I have seen some changes! The fifth nurse, I started the same day as the fifth Dr. (Robert Walker). I was interviewed and hired by Dr Teitelbaum, there was one person taking written messages in one building. Reflection on those first few years, working assignments were covering a different specialty each day. For a fairly new nurse, it was an amazing opportunity to experience working with Oncology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology and then Internal Medicine where I landed, primarily, with Dr. Menezes for 20 years. Now in Women's Imaging, there's still more to learn, and I appreciate the continuing education.
 

Do you have an anecdote, story, or reflection about the past 25 years you’d like to share?
I was recruited to join Dr. Teitelbaum and Dr. Dinsmore at Orange Oncology in 1994. The goal was to continue providing the highest quality oncology care in the region while also developing a multi-specialty group practice. In 1996, Crystal Run Healthcare was created. I am proud of the physicians that have joined our practice over the years. They are among the brightest and hardest working physicians available anywhere. They continue to make personal sacrifices to benefit our patients and to encourage the growth of our practice. Our goal has always been to hire providers that we would feel comfortable sending family members to for their healthcare. I am happy to say that my entire family receives their care in our practice.
It’s not just our physicians that have made Crystal Run Healthcare so special, it’s also our nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and support staff. Nearly every day, patients tell me how much they love coming to our practice because so many employees go above and beyond to take care of their needs. Now that I have been here for such a long time, I am privileged to experience the joy of seeing patients that I first met many years ago and who continue to do well and thrive.
I’m lucky to have shared this experience with my wife, Phyllis. She dealt with my unpredictable schedule and the demands of building the practice while also having a career as an occupational therapist, raising our children and being an active member of our community.

Do you have an anecdote, story, or reflection about the past 25 years you’d like to share?
How fast did these 25 years go! I was interviewed and hired by Dr. Teitelbaum.  We only had the 300 Crystal Run Rd. building back then and four Doctors. During my interview with Dr. Teitelbaum, he shared his vision and the direction that the practice would take. I was very excited to hear about the different specialties and providers that would be joining the practice. That meant I would not have to travel far for good health care any longer.  I am very proud to be a part of Crystal Run Healthcare and honored to be able to work with such wonderful caring Doctors and personnel.  

What’s been the biggest change you’ve seen over the past 25 years?
Where do I start?  For me, probably the remarkable investments in health information technology, which launched me into an entirely different field and revolutionized the way we deliver care.  We’ve accomplished many “firsts” along the way, from wireless networks, digital mammography and electronic health records to various awards and accreditations, and I’m proud to have been a part of that.  Information technology has been integral to patient care during the pandemic and whatever the future holds, we are here to meet it head-on. 

What do you like most about working at Crystal Run Healthcare?
The thing I like the most about working at Crystal Run, in addition to working side-by-side with some of the best staff and providers out there, is being part of an organization that has truly improved the quality of care delivered in the communities we serve. Really - not just an advertising slogan!