NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Krista A. Kittle
April 26, 2006
(315) 785-4504

SAMARITAN PHYSICIAN DESIGNATED AS A CERTIFIED MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN LONG TERM CARE BY THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Watertown, New York ----- Stephen Grybowski, MD, Medical Director of Samaritan Keep Home, was recently awarded the designation of Certified Medical Director (CMD) in Long Term Care by the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA).  

The CMD program recognizes the unique role of a medical director, serving as both a clinical provider and healthcare administrator.  Certification requires a thorough review of a physician’s professional background, including postdoctoral training, board certifications, AMDA courses, continuing medical education credits, and administrative experience.  The designation is awarded for a six-year term, after which the certified physician must complete a recertification process in order to maintain CMD status.

Dr. Grybowski was board certified by the American Board of Family Practice in 1982 and recertified in 1988, 1995, and 2001.  In 1994, he was awarded a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics, and recertified in 2004.  His recent designation as a Certified Medical Director was awarded in January 2006.  

A member of Samaritan Medical Center’s medical staff since 1982, Dr. Grybowski assumed the position of Medical Director of Samaritan Keep Home in January of 2004.  In this role, he is responsible for supervising the SKH medical staff; providing geriatric education to nurses, medical students and interns; reporting to the Board of Trustees and Samaritan’s Performance Improvement Committee; and serving as the primary physician for more than half of the residents of SKH.  "Samaritan Keep Home is the facility of choice for long term care and subacute rehabilitation in the area,” explains Dr. Grybowski. “This certification is another way of demonstrating to the community that we offer a high quality service."

In addition to his responsibilities at SKH, Dr. Grybowski also sees patients at the Samaritan Family Health Center in Clayton.

# # #