MVHS formally opens new surgery center as it completes final readiness steps

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) on Wednesday formally opened its new ambulatory surgery center, which it calls the Mohawk Valley Surgery Center. The event was held in conjunction with the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. Community leaders, health-care partners and MVHS staff attended the event at the Medical Office Building at 601 State St. in Utica, marking a “significant milestone in the expansion of outpatient surgical services in the region,” MVHS said in its announcement. MVHS says it is still determining official start dates, as the health-care system is “actively completing final readiness steps.” Its goal is to be patient-ready by Dec. 15 with the hopes of receiving full regulatory clearance so it can begin to schedule surgical cases by mid-January. Located on the third floor of the building, the Mohawk Valley Surgery Center includes four operating rooms designed to provide “high-quality, efficient” outpatient surgical care. The center was designed to enhance patient comfort, streamline care delivery, and support an “exceptional patient experience,” MVHS contends. “These services will significantly expand access to outpatient surgical care for patients in the Mohawk Valley,” Dr. William LeCates, president and CEO of the Mohawk Valley Health System, said in the announcement. “This new center represents an exciting step forward for MVHS and for the communities we serve.” In addition to the ribbon cutting, attendees were able tour the new surgery center along with CNY Cardiology and other new MVHS services housed in the building, including laboratory, imaging and pharmacy. MVHS leadership also recognized the many teams whose collaboration made the project possible, including facilities, clinical operations, physicians, nurses, support staff, and administrative leaders, per the announcement.