Albany, NY – I was informed yesterday that Crystal Run Healthcare/Optum is closing its OB/GYN practice in Rock Hill as of July 1st of this year. This is a devastating loss for women’s health in Sullivan County. I needed to get direct answers and information, so I reached out to Crystal Run directly. This is what I have learned after speaking with CEO of Optum New York and New Jersey, Jonathan Nasser: There were four physicians working in the practice in Rock Hill along with six staff members. Fortunately, after July 1, two of the providers will remain in Sullivan County; one will be employed by Sun River Health in Monticello, and one will work directly at Garnet Health Medical Center-Catskills. The remaining two providers will see patients with Crystal Run at their Middletown location.

I also reached out to Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, as they represent one of the main pillars of health care infrastructure in Sullivan County. According to Gerry Dunlavy, CEO of Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills and CEO of Garnet Health Doctors. “Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills will continue to provide hospital-based OBGYN care without interruption. Additionally, as access to women’s health services in Sullivan County becomes more limited, Garnet Health responded by reestablishing OBGYN services within its physician practice.” As of July 1, Irvelyn Camille MD, who currently is with Crystal Run, will provide OBGYN services at Garnet in Harris at 68 Harris Bushville Road. Her existing patients can immediately call Garnet Health Doctors to book an appointment at 845-333-8909. Patients who choose to switch providers will have to sign a release with Crystal Run authorizing their patient files to be transferred over to the new provider.

Obviously, this closure is devastating for health care in Sullivan County, and I remain dedicated to working on solutions to the recruitment and retention of medical providers, including supporting the Highland Health initiative, increasing the reimbursement rates, production of workforce housing, and additional aid to our schools. We need better options for women’s healthcare in Sullivan County, and I am committed to finding those options by reaching out to other providers in our region. If you need assistance with the transition of your health care provider, please reach out to my office. We are here to help.