Media Contact: Natalie Burnham Foundation & Marketing Director (315) 493-0114 nburnham@cahny.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PREMIERE TELEMEDICINE STROKE CARE NOW A REALITY AT CARTHAGE AREA HOSPITAL (September 18, 2013) CARTHAGE, NY Patients suffering from Stroke symptoms dont have to travel the distance for premiere stroke care. Thanks to the collaboration with Upstate University Hospital and its Upstate Stroke Center (the first designated Stroke Center in Central New York) and Carthage Area Hospital (CAH), Stroke patients can be treated at their local community hospital in Carthage through the use of telemedicine. Telemedicine gives the hospital the ability to connect to Upstate Neurologists within minutes. The program is set to go live on Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Were delighted to partner with Carthage Area Hospital in bringing advanced stroke treatment and care to residents of the North Country," said Upstate University Hospital CEO John McCabe, MD. "Upstates mission, as the areas only academic medical center, is to collaborate on projects just like this and to be a resource for medical professionals throughout the state. Carthage Area Hospital should be commended for the work it has done to bring this project to reality to benefit its patients. After the telemedicine program goes live, Carthage Area Hospital has plans to apply for designation to be a Primary Stroke Center. According to Dr. Mark Parshall, Medical Director of Outpatient Clinics and Hospitalist Program, The commitment of CAH, both financially and from a community members standpoint to become a primary stroke center represents a major advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of stroke for the community. CAH will be the only hospital in Northern New York that will be designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NYS Dept. of Health. By receiving this designation and by working directly with Upstate University Hospital and its Upstate Stroke Center, the people of our community will be guaranteed the very highest and state-of-the-art care when presented to our Emergency Department with any symptoms that could represent early signs of a stroke. ###

About Carthage Area Hospital Carthage Area Hospital was founded as a 501-(c)-3 federal tax exempt and not-for-profit organization in 1965. Located in Carthage, NY, the 78-bed hospital provides services to a rural population residing in Eastern Jefferson, Southern St. Lawrence, and Northern Lewis Counties of Northern New York. In addition to the main campus in Carthage, the hospital includes 15 outlying clinics and 1 assisted-living facility. For more information, please visit www.carthagehospital.com.