Medical Society awards two scholarships
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Saratoga County Medical Society held it’s quarterly meeting at Longfellows Tuesday night as two local high school students received scholarships. Republican candidate for mayor Mark Baker spoke at the event.
The meeting served as an update from a major malpractice cover carrier for physicians in the community.
Saratoga County Medical Society presented the Carl Silverman Award and Ted Gallagher Award to seniors who will pursue medical-related careers in college.
Nicholas Nasta, who graduated June 23 from Saratoga Springs High School, plans to attend Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
“I’m extremely grateful that the county provided it. It will help out a lot towards my tuition bill,” said Nasta. “Right now I have eight years to look forward to so I’m very grateful for them giving me the scholarship award.”
Ruben DeMan, who graduated the same day as Nasta but from Shenendehowa High School, was really excited to be one of the scholarship recipients.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the Saratoga County Medical Society,” said DeMan. “I know it does some really great work in the community, advocating for physicians and patients in Saratoga County, so I’m really honored to be selected for this.”
In years past Chris Gibbons, Elise Stefanik and members of the state assembly and senate have attended dinners to speak.
Mark Baker explained the importance of Saratoga Hospital.
“It’s the only hospital in Saratoga County as well as a regional resource, so how they can continue to keep and grow that product, which is a real community asset, is of their concern,” said Baker. “The medical community is as competitive right now as anything else so to get good qualified medical staff you have to have good qualified infrastructure as far as the technologies, the equipment and the basic building.”
Baker addressed his candidacy for mayor of Saratoga Springs and also the role the city would play in relation to the hospital.
“There’s been some discussion on how we proceed in helping that very important asset to the community to remain healthy, but also making it possible to continue to have Saratoga Springs be that medical hub that it is currently working with,” said Baker. “The future of medical care, and this is not referencing anything on a national level, is you still have to be competitive, you need to get qualified staff, you need to have partnerships as they’ve just done with Albany Med, so you can get greater coverage and greater services by combining your resources. Those are all things they’re interested in.”