New PHC Camarda Care Center to open this summer
Mid Hudson News
June 27, 2008

CARMEL—History was made in Putnam County Thursday when the ribbon was cut celebrating the new Camarda Care Center at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel.

More than 250 were on hand for the occasion last inside the lobby of the beautiful, five-story, $34 million 113,000 square-foot building named for the family of local developer and philanthropist Paul Camarda.

The facility houses the PHC Wagner Cancer Pavilion—a new state of the art cancer center enhanced with radiation therapy services in the Agarwal Center for Radiation Oncology as well as 70 private patient rooms, physician’s offices, a new main lobby and a conference center in the Michael Weber Community Auditorium for both hospital and community use.

Hospital Vice President Jeffrey Kellogg called the occasion historic: “Not only is history being made today but the day will be remembered for some time to come because the benefits will soon begin.”

The hospital’s new wing is slated to welcome its first patients later this summer.

PHC President and CEO Donna McGregor forecast the new hospital would “open a new era in health care for Putnam County and beyond while the hospital’s former president Michael Weber who now serves as Chief Executive Officer of Health Quest, the parent group of Putnam Hospital Center, called the facility a “new crown jewel in Putnam County.”

Health Quest Board of Directors Chairman Tom Eastwood traced the history of the hospital from the days back in the 1950’s when the Mahopac Hospital contained six beds to 1964 when Putnam Community Hospital opened its doors with 66 beds.

Today, Putnam Hospital Center is a 164 bed healthcare facility offering services to an area with a population exceeding 150,000 in Putnam, southern Dutchess and northern Westchester.

An emotional Paul Camarda thanked those in attendance for the kudos associated with his generosity that helped make the new wing a reality. Camarda called the ribbon cutting: “The beginning of a new era for our county. This is a jewel not only for its modern infrastructure but for the dedicated and highly trained medical staff associated with PHC.”