Courtesy Saratoga Business Journal
By Rod Bacon
On April 21, Saratoga Spine became part of Saratoga Hospital and by extension part of the Albany Med Health System.
The practice sold its building at 31 Myrtle Street in Saratoga Springs to the hospital in March, 2024, but has continued to provide services there since the sale. It has been renamed Saratoga Spine Care and the same level of quality care will still be available, according to Allie Curran, director of marketing & communications at Saratoga Hospital.
“The acquisition will greatly benefit the services we are able to offer our patients throughout the region,” she said. “Furthermore, it strengthens Saratoga Hospital’s commitment to serve the people of the Saratoga region by providing them access to excellence in healthcare in a supportive and caring environment.”
In addition to its Myrtle Street location Saratoga Spine has offices at 7 Murray Street in Glens Falls and 16 Degrandpre Way in Plattsburgh. The Plattsburgh location will remain the same but the Glens Falls office has been moved to 161 Carey Road in Queensbury, Hudson Headwaters Health Network’s location.
Saratoga Spine Care will continue its long-standing relationships with Saratoga Hospital, Glens Falls Hospital, and continue to provide services at its Plattsburgh office.
“We will maintain our relationships with all local hospitals with little expected change,” Curran said. “This will include services provided by facilities within and outside the Albany Med Health System inclusive of Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital.”
Curran said that all providers in the three locations will be retained as employees of Saratoga Hospital. This includes Dr. John Herzog, Dr. Hetal Amin, Dr. Armin Afsar-Keshmiri, Christopher Stephens, RPA-C, Brandy Manchester, RPA-C and Sarah Stacey, FNP.
Saratoga Spine Care offers both surgical and non-surgical treatment options as well as exercise therapy.
Non-surgical options include physical therapy, exercise, ultrasound heat, electric stimulation, and massage.
Should surgery be recommended the doctors explain the potential risks and benefits of each procedure so patients can make an informed decision. Procedures that can be performed include anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, cervical disc arthroplasty, cervical laminoplasty, kyphoplasty, lateral lumbar interbody fusion, lumbar fusion, lumbar laminectomy/discectomy, posterior cervical foraminotomy, spinal fusion, and minimally invasive surgery.
Curran said that all surgical interventions have been performed at Saratoga Hospital and that relationship will continue.
Dr. John C. Herzog, D.O., who trained at the Spine Institute of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, has performed over 1,500 spinal surgeries, done more artificial disc replacements than any other surgeon in the region, and is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Afsar-Keshmirdi, M.S., M.D., holds doctor of medicine and master of science in pathology degrees from Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Other members of the team include Dr. Hetal Amin, D.O.; Dr. Radana Dooley, M.D.; physician assistants Christopher Evans, RPA-C; Rick Varone, RPA-C; Christopher Stephens, RPA-C; and nurse practitioner Sheilah Scofield, FNP.
“This procurement will provide patients with seamless access to dedicated professionals who already have a stellar reputation for providing the highest level of care in a personal and compassionate way,” said Curran. “Additionally, with the adoption of a fully integrated health record, the providers at Saratoga Spine Care will be able to seamlessly communicate with other providers within the Albany Med Health system. This will undoubtedly lead to better communication with patients and enhanced outcomes.”