SULLIVAN COUNTY/HARRIS – When Crystal Run Healthcare announced via an automated email in May that its obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) practice at its Rock Hill location (61 Emerald Place) would be ceasing operations, public reaction was a mixture of confusion, anger and sadness. On Tuesday, Garnet Health Doctors marked its renewed commitment to ensuring women continue to have access to healthcare close to home.

With a strong turnout, the ceremony came less than three months after the Democrat reported Crystal Run Healthcare’s announcement that it would close its Rock Hill OB/GYN practice beginning this month. At that time, Garnet Health announced it would reinstate physician-based OB/GYN services in Harris with board-certified physicians Dr. Marie Abougou and Dr. Irvelyne Camille, ensuring obstetrical and gynecological care would remain local.

“When Sullivan County faced the potential loss of local women’s healthcare services, Garnet Health recognized that need and acted,” stated Garnet Health Medical Center Catskills Chief Executive Officer Jerry Dunlavey. “It represents Garnet Health’s commitment to ensuring women in Sullivan County continue to have access to high-quality OB/GYN care close to home.”

While the practice is still new, success is already evident, with Dunlavey saying the response has exceeded expectations.

“In the first month alone, and the month isn’t over, we have seen over 200 patients in clinic,” he said. “We’ve welcomed 14 newborn infants into this world.”

The practice offers a wide range of women’s healthcare services, including preventive screenings, obstetrical services, reproductive healthcare, routine gynecological care, healthy aging services and menopause management.

Chief Medical Officer for Garnet Health and President of Garnet Health Doctors Dr. Pamela Murphy assured attendees that expanding and restoring healthcare services in Sullivan County remains a major priority for the health system.

“You wouldn’t think we were that far away from New York City, but we are,” Murphy admitted. “People really want to stay home. They want to stay local. They want to be taken care of in their institutions.”

She said Garnet Health wants to ensure residents have access to healthcare without needing to leave Sullivan County.

“It’s our mission to bring back all the services we need to do,” Murphy assured. “We will continue, as that is our mission here in Catskills, to make sure Sullivan County is taken care of.”

For Dr. Camille, returning to practice in Sullivan County was like coming home after spending nearly 20 years caring for patients in the community.

“When that opportunity showed that I could come back here and practice as a Garnet Health doctor, my first response was, ‘I’m going back home,’” Camille recounted.

She acknowledged that the ever-changing landscape of local women’s healthcare providers has created uncertainty for many patients, but stressed the practice’s long-term commitment to the community.

“I know there’s been some damage over the years,” Camille admitted. “We’re here to stay for many, many years to come.”

Following remarks from physicians and hospital leadership, Garnet Health Doctors was presented with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition commemorating the opening by Field Representative Eric Ball on behalf of Congressman Josh Riley before physicians, staff and community leaders gathered for the ceremonial ribbon cutting and a tour of the clinic, which features six exam rooms and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.