Saratoga Business Journal

The Saratoga Builders Association Awards Scholarships To Students Studying The Trades

June 6, 2024

Barry Potoker (left), executive director of the Saratoga Builders Association, stands with students displaying scholarship checks that will help them continue education in the trades.
Courtesy of Saratoga Builders Association

The Saratoga Builders Association, Inc. has announced the awarding of two student $1,000 cash scholarships. One is the annual SBA Scholarship and the second is the annual “Bob Best” Memorial Scholarship.

One recipient is Amy Grumbling of Amsterdam. She is currently attending Russell Sage College pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree in Interior and Spatial Design. She also works for Teakwood Builders.

The other recipient is Jude Leight of Ballston Spa. He is a senior at Ballston Spa High School and will be attending Hudson Valley Community College to pursue a degree in Construction Tech and Management.

The Saratoga Builders Association makes these student scholarship awards available annually to high school seniors or college students who are planning to pursue a career in the construction industry.

An Expert In Durable Medical Equipment Expands With Second Location In Wilton Mall

June 6, 2024

Michael Gipson carries a complete line of home medical equipment at the two locations.
Saratoga Business Journal

By Christine Graf

PA Medical Supply of Queensbury has opened a second location in the Wilton Mall next to JC Penney. Both stores carry an extensive selection of home medical equipment and soft good orthotics, boasting the largest showrooms and most extensive product selections in the area.

Established in 1995, PA Medical Supply was purchased by Lake George native Michael Gipson in July 2022. Prior to purchasing the business from John Bisceglia, Gipson spent more than a decade working in medical equipment sales.

“I have been in the durable medical equipment industry for about 12 years,” he said. “I startedout on the manufacturer side, selling throughout New York state. I worked for one of the largest durable medical equipment manufacturers in the world.”

After working his way up to regional manager for the Northeast, Gipson was promoted to vice president of sales for the company’s pediatric rehab division, a job that required extensive travel.

“I was traveling all over the country almost weekly, and my kids were getting to the age where school and sports were starting. I wanted to be able to stay closer to home,” he said. “I always knew I wanted to own my own business one day, and it got to the point where it was time to make a change.”

The Number Of People Becoming Physician Assistants Has Increased During Last Decade

June 6, 2024

Physician assistant James McGork III (right), with Dr. Farrukh Ansari at OrthoNY.
Saratoga Business Journal

By Christine Graf

During the past decade, the number of board-certified physician assistants (PAs) has increased more than 75 percent, with more than 168,000 currently practicing in the field. Each year, PAs are responsible for more than 500 million patient interactions, collaborating with physicians and surgeons to diagnose and treat patients.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the PA profession will increase 28 percent from 2021 to 2031. Currently, the demand for PAs is so high that 75 percent of graduates receive multiple job offers upon graduation.

In the late 1960s, Duke University established the country’s first physician assistant program. There are now 245 accredited programs in the United States, one of them at Albany Medical College where 42 PAs graduate each year from the 28-month program. Established in 1972, Albany Med’s PA program began as a collaboration with Hudson Valley Community College.

OrthoNY physician assistant James McGork III graduated from the Albany Med/Hudson Valley program, receiving his degree in 1998. A 1990 graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s College, he worked for Marriott Management Services before transitioning to health care.

Emergency Service Providers Are Finding The Work Of Saving Lives Extremely Rewarding

June 6, 2024

Scott Skinner, Malta-Stillwater EMS executive director, takes pride in serving his community.
Courtesy of Malta-Stillwater EMS

By Christine Graf

For more than 30 years, Malta-Stillwater EMS Executive Director Scott Skinner has been serving the local community, racing to the scenes of fires, accidents, and other emergencies. Skinner joined the Waterville Fire Department in 1993, and it was while there that he earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification, later working his way up to become a paramedic.

Appointed chief of the department in 2011, Skinner retired in 2014 after 21 years on the job. He joined the Round Lake Fire Department as a volunteer, and in 2018, he was hired as the executive director of the Malta-Stillwater EMS, a private, non-profit agency.

With stations in Malta and Stillwater, Malta-Stillwater EMS has 65 employees along with a dedicated crew of approximately 15 volunteers. The agency’s staff is fairly evenly split between EMTs and paramedics.

“EMTs are trained at basic life support level. They do splinting, bandaging, oxygenation, CPR, and those types of things,” said Skinner. “Paramedics receive training that is heavier on cardiology and pharmacology. They also receive advanced airway and IV training.”

Based Upon The Greek Goddess Of Eternal Youth, HEBE Med Spa Plans July Opening

June 6, 2024

Construction is underway in Saratoga Springs on HEBE Medical Spa.
Saratoga Business Journal

By Jill Nagy

HEBE Medical Spa will offer non-surgical medical treatments for face and skin. The facility is under construction at 28 Division Street in Saratoga Springs and expected to open in early July, according to co-owner and CEO Irina Damyanidu.

HEBE has medical spas in Fishkill and Latham.

Hebe, the company’s namesake, is the Greek goddess of eternal youth. Its treatments give the illusion of eternal youth with laser treatments, botox, facials, skin tightening, medical weight loss programs, hair restoration, and similar treatments.

Co-owner and medical director Dr. Zainad Ashraf is an internist also certified for cosmetic care. Known as “Dr. Z,” she administers injectables, laser treatments, and other treatments that require medical certification.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Binghampton University and her medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica. She did a residency at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. She is an internist at Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie in addition to her spa work. Most of the rest of the current staff are nurses or licensed medical aestheticians.

Volunteers Sought For Free Clinic To Be Run By Remote Area Medical In Bennington, Vt.

June 6, 2024

Volunteers are assigned duties at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic that provides free dental, vision, and medical care to those in need.
Courtesy of RAM

Remote Area Medical – RAM® – a major nonprofit provider of pop-up clinics delivering free, quality dental, vision and medical care to those in need – is seeking volunteer medical, dental and vision professionals and general support staff for its Aug. 17-18 clinic. The two-day clinic is to be held at Mount Anthony Union Middle School, located at 747 East Road in Bennington, Vt. This clinic is in collaboration with Greater Bennington Community Services.

RAM is also in need of general support volunteers to help set up on Friday, Aug. 16 and take down on Sunday, Aug. 18. Overnight parking volunteers to greet patients are also needed, and interpreters can volunteer to aid patients through the process, either in the parking lot or during clinic operations. Individuals do not need to work in the medical field to volunteer as general support. Those who would like to volunteer their time to help provide free healthcare services to the Bennington, Vt. and surrounding communities, please visit the website at www.ramusa.org or call 865-579-1530.

All RAM services are free, and no identification is required. Free dental, vision and medical services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Clifton Park Beverage Center Offers Expertise From A Very Knowledgeable Beer Aficionado

June 6, 2024

Clifton Park Beverage Center, which opened recently in North Country Commons, carries an extensive selection of beers and other beverages.
Courtesy of Clifton Park Beverage Center

By Christine Graf

After two years of planning, business partners Kushan Patel, Pratik Shah, and Jay Patel have opened the doors to Clifton Park Beverage Center. Located in North Country Commons at 1208 NY-146, the store had its soft opening on May 10.

The owner of beverage centers in Colonie and Troy, Kushan Patel has more than two decades of industry experience. Shah is an assistant vice president of business development for Trustco Bank, and Jay Patel has a background in operations.

“Kushan has been in the business for many years,” said Shah. “He always wanted to open up a beverage center in Clifton Park. He was surprised there wasn’t one there.”

After becoming business partners, the trio embarked on a search for the perfect location, ultimately choosing a 7,000-square-foot space at North Country Commons.

“There is a lot of growth in that particular area with new construction homes coming in, and the nearest beverage center is five miles out, radius wise,” said Shah.

Gene And Linda Merlino Sell Lake Luzerne’s Historic Lamplight Inn Bed & Breakfast

June 6, 2024

Known as “The Jewel of the Adirondacks,” the 1890 Victorian Lamplight Inn Bed & Breakfast has recently changed hands.
Courtesy of Muroff Hospitality Group

Muroff Hospitality Group has announced the sale of The Lamplight Inn Bed & Breakfast at 231 Lake Ave in Lake Luzerne. Known as “The Jewel of the Adirondacks,” this award-winning property features 12 luxurious suites, a sun-drenched dining room and a spacious owner’s apartment. The expansive wrap around porch leads into the grand 1890 Victorian building. The Carriage House is behind the main building where there are five large ground floor suites in a modern building surrounded by acres of wooded privacy.

The sellers are Eugene and Linda Merlino. Gene Merlino has been the long-time town supervisor of Lake Luzerne, and will continue in that role. The buyers are George and Mary Haleem of Pennsylvania. This will be their first investment property in New York state.

Mitch Muroff of Muroff Hospitality Group represented the seller and secured the buyer in this exclusive listing. The sale price was $1,255,000 and the transaction closed on May 1 in Queensbury.

The Inn was built in 1890 as the summer home of wealthy bachelor Howard Conkling. Conkling was a lawyer from New York City and a member of the New York State Assembly. He was well traveled and wrote multiple books of his travels. No expense was spared for his home. A 12-foot beamed ceiling, chestnut wainscoting and keyhole staircases enhance the spacious Great Room, now used as the guest sitting area.

Exotic Cars Will Be On Display On Father’s Day To Support Saratoga Automobile Museum

June 6, 2024

An exciting lineup of exotic vintage automobiles will grace Union Avenue in Saratogs Springs on Father’s Day. Courtesy of Saratoga Automobile Museum

Cars on Union, the highly anticipated exotic car show, is gearing up to transform Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs into a paradise for car enthusiasts, all while supporting a noble cause.

Scheduled for Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Cars on Union promises to be an unparalleled celebration of automotive excellence, showcasing an exceptional lineup of exotic cars from around the Northeast. From sleek supercars to rare vintage gems, attendees will have the opportunity to feast their eyes on some of the most coveted automobiles ever produced, all amongst some of the most beautiful homes and architecture in the Saratoga region on Union Avenue.

“We are thrilled to bring a car show into the community, the Wilton Fire Department is even joining in on the fun and bringing their beautiful 1944 International Crash Fire Truck,” said Megan Hennessey of the Saratoga Automobile Museum.

Spa City Officials Have Planned An Exciting Slate Of Activities For Belmont On Broadway

May 13, 2024

This poster reflects the fun and excitement racing fans can expect from the multiple-day events planned prior to the upcoming Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
Courtesy of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

Belmont on Broadway, a multifaceted celebration planned for the week of the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, was announced recently by leaders in the Spa City.

Belmont on Broadway activities slated for June 4 through June 9 include a downtown window decorating contest, a pre-festival event called Embrace the Belmont, The Belmont Gala, HARDY at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Opera Saratoga’s Annual Gala and a free, outdoor concert with headlining act Blues Traveler to take place on Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

This is all in addition to the four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, which officials see as a historic opportunity to showcase Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County as a major event destination.