By Matthew Avitabile
COBLESKILL — Erin Vollmer, MS, RN, NC-BC, NE-BC, CHOP-B, has much experience in New York, ranging from growing up in the Hudson Valley to working in the greater Syracuse area before starting her current role as Director of Nursing and Director of Operations Cobleskill Regional Hospital.
The current head of several programs at Cobleskill Regional Hospital originally studied Art History and Art Therapy at SUNY Oswego before earning degrees in nursing and nursing education. Throughout her career, Vollmer was able to take on a number of important roles in critical care, trauma and emergency services, neo-natal intensive care, a hospital’s rapid response team, and teaching. Her experience allowed her a closer look into the field of nursing, developing nursing programs that could be completed online. The work aimed to “close the nursing workforce gap,” she said.
After her children grew up, Vollmer spent three years on the road with an accreditation organization deemed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working at various hospitals across the country seeing “all sorts of organizations” and realized that she was homesick. She wanted to be part of a team helping in a community.
Since October, Vollmer has been working at Cobleskill Regional Hospital, describing her experience so far as “really wonderful.” She especially appreciates “how great the mission is supporting the community.
Serving in the two roles is a challenge, but exciting, she said. Her experience gives her insight to help oversee operations at the hospital, where she says she has received incredible support from the local staff. There is a great deal of care and efforts being made to bring the team together.
Vollmer said that during the pandemic, a number of health operations across the country became “siloed” and are now in the process of “getting back together.”
The unique culture at Cobleskill Regional Hospital allows for “symbiotic” relationships and a constructive workplace community.
As a new hire, Vollmer is also “learning what’s working from the team.”
She is proud of the system that Bassett Healthcare Network and Cobleskill Regional Hospital have developed, so that the hospital can fulfil its crucial mission as a critical access hospital. She said that she’s seen other hospitals that are entirely situated in one main room. Cobleskill is “really lucky” to have the staff and facility it does, she said. As part of a larger system, Bassett Healthcare Network, represents “perfect support,” she said.
The role of Bassett has also helped through its network, allowing for a “thriving” environment at Cobleskill.
Vollmer said that she hopes to express to the community that Cobleskill is prepared to help them no matter what their health needs are. The hospital has more than just an emergency department and critical access, she said. Regular appointments, annual check-ups, mammograms, and more are available.
There is a common perception that critical access hospitals sometimes lack resources. This is not true at Cobleskill Regional Hospital, said Vollmer. Those starting cancer care can receive help at Cobleskill in between other treatments. The hospital also does as much care as it can and can arrange for further treatment elsewhere.
There is a “seamless process for patients with a higher level of care.”
Underpinning much of it is the local nature of the hospital, with “neighbors caring for neighbors” with a “certain loyalty and expectation,” she said.
“The community doesn’t have to worry about those components. We have you covered. All you have to do is show up.”
The hospital also provides many services outside of regular treatment, including food pantries, social events, and efforts to raise local awareness. Each is intended to bring the community together and show that “you can rely on us.”
This is even the case for employees at the hospital. When seeking care, Vollmer said, many of the staff return to the hospital. They have a “certain expectation” of care already, she said.
“It’s a perfect example of being exactly what you say you are,” she said.
The job has been excellent so far, and Vollmer said that she has remained "enthusiastic, energetic, and learning about people and patients.”
She cited a nurse on staff who raised his own honeybees and brought in honey for the team. Vollmer used the example to describe an “intricate web of people and caring.”
The opportunity at CRH is a great one, said Vollmer, and she hopes to continue learning more about the area and providing quality care for the community.
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