Community Memorial Hospital is a modern healthcare system providing primary care, orthopedic surgery, family-oriented birthing facilities, same day surgery, skilled nursing facilities for the elderly and convalescing patients, and a complete roster of diagnostic testing and ancillary services. They serve 45,000 people in 27 central New York communities. The hospital has hosted Field School Fellows for two projects:

Orthopedics Study

This summer, Grace Baik, '10, will complete an orthopedic research project under the direction of Diane Bialczak, RN In-service coordinator for the hospital, and Dr. Ivan Gowan. This study will examine outcomes of approximately 1,000 total knee prosthesis over a 20 year period. Gracw will review medical records for each surgery performed and conduct follow-up interviews to determine which of the prosthesis required the least number of revision surgeries. The final goal of the project is a publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Junior Volunteer Program

In the spring of 2006, Colgate students Tara McDevitt ’06, Charley Tharp ’08, Margaret Mysliwiec ’08 and Jake Kleinman ’07 worked for the Upstate Institute Field School to coordinate a junior volunteer program for Hamilton’s Community Memorial Hospital. Under the direction of  Diane Bialczak, the In-Service coordinator and staff educator at Community Memorial Hospital and a member of the Upstate Institute Community Board, the students designed and implemented a volunteer program for high school students in the area. Once implemented, the program will give students an opportunity to gain experience in the health care profession while helping the community.

The students began their work by looking at similar programs in other hospitals of similar size and setting. With the help of the hospital’s nurse managers, they compiled a list of possible volunteer tasks that could be performed at the hospital during a weekly four-hour volunteer shift. They developed an application and orientation process, and recruited volunteers by presenting the program at four local high schools. They also considered the sustainability of the program and worked with Central New York Area Health Education Center to secure funding for volunteer uniforms.

"This program will allow students to see firsthand what health care is all about," said Bialczak, who served as a junior volunteer before beginning her career in nursing. "My hope is the Junior Volunteers will be exposed to the compassion of health care and see the rewards of this work. I want them to learn that they can help."