North Star Health Alliance

11/19/2025

🌿 Compassion in Every Moment

November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, a time to honor the care teams who bring comfort, dignity, and peace to patients and families facing serious illness.

💜 Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life when a cure is no longer possible.

💙 Palliative care offers support and symptom relief at any stage of illness — often alongside treatment.

Both share one powerful mission: helping people live each day with comfort, compassion, and choice.

At North Star Health Alliance, we’re proud to support these services that bring light, care, and understanding to some of life’s hardest moments. 🌟

11/19/2025

11/18/2025

Looking for a primary care provider?

Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Katelyn McKinley is currently accepting new patients at our Canton Health Center.

Katelyn believes that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. In her practice, care extends beyond the individual and reaches families, neighbors, and the community as a whole. As a North Country native, she recognizes the needs of her community and the position she is in to help meet them.

Her approach emphasizes accessibility and continuity of care, always keeping in mind that in a small town, every interaction matters and every decision has a ripple effect. Katelyn is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care while honoring each patient's autonomy. She sees her role not just as a healthcare provider, but as a trusted resource and advocate for the people she serves.

📍 Canton Health Center
39 West Main Street
Canton, NY

📞 To schedule an appointment with FNP Katelyn, call 315.379.4700.

11/17/2025

11/17/2025

Happy birthday, Dr. Seidman! We are so grateful for your many years of service! We hope the year ahead is filled with many reasons to celebrate!

A small surprise celebration was held today to honor Dr. Michael Seidman, Chief Medical Officer and long-standing nephrologist serving patients at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus and the Dr. Ravinder N. Agarwal Renal Center, for his 75th birthday. 🎂

Dr. Seidman began his career at Claxton on December 19, 1983, and has faithfully served our community ever since. He and his wife, Ellen, have been married for 46 years, sharing a lifetime of partnership and support.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Seidman for his decades of compassionate care, leadership, and dedication to keeping high-quality renal care close to home for our North Country community. Happy 75th Birthday, Dr. Seidman!

11/17/2025

🌤️ Mental Health Monday: Digital Detox for a Clearer Mind

Our phones keep us connected, but constant notifications can drain focus and increase anxiety. Taking intentional breaks from screens helps your brain rest and recharge.

📵 Try This: Set a “tech timeout” for 30 minutes today. Go for a walk, read, or simply sit quietly without your phone nearby. Unplug and be present. You'll be surprised at the impact it has!

You might be surprised how calm and present you feel when you unplug for a little while. 🌿

11/17/2025

As we continue to recognize Diabetes Awareness Month, we remain dedicated to educating the public about the signs, risks, and steps toward better health. One common question is: What’s the difference between diabetes and diabetes?

Sarah Dupree (Willard), RN, a Diabetes Educator, sat down with ABC50 to break it down and explain what these diagnoses mean, why early detection matters, and how individuals can take action to protect their long-term health.

https://youtu.be/9sW26O_ot-8?si=pn1W0tfoBByP3Yy3

Today we chat with Sarah Dupree, RN-Educator from CHMC, about the signs and symptoms of diabetes.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more edu...

11/16/2025

The 80/20 Rule of Real-Life Wellness

Forget “perfect diets” — they don’t exist. This National Diabetes Month, we’re focusing on real-life balance, not restriction.

🍽️ The 80/20 Rule:

80% of the time, fuel your body with whole foods. Think crunchy veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.

20% of the time, make room for joy, because sustainability beats perfection every time.

💡 Here’s why it works: When you focus on progress over perfection, your body (and blood sugar) respond better long-term.

Healthy living shouldn’t feel like punishment: it’s about empowerment and consistency, not guilt. 🌟

11/15/2025

💙 Diabetes Awareness Month: Taking Control Together in the North Country 💙

This November, our team is proud to stand with our community in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is complex - but with the right tools, education, and support, it is manageable.

At Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Carthage Area Hospital, both members of the North Star Health Alliance, our Diabetes Education Programs work together to help patients:

🔹 Understand their diagnosis and blood sugar goals
🔹 Build a realistic daily plan for meals, movement, and medications
🔹 Prevent and treat slow-healing wounds, especially on the feet and lower legs
🔹 Feel supported, informed, and never alone in their care
🔹 Small steps really do make a big difference:
🔹 Take a short walk after meals
🔹 Build a “smart plate” with veggies, lean protein, and fiber
🔹 Check your feet regularly for any changes
🔹 Stay on top of your routine eye, foot, and dental exams

📖 Learn more about how we’re helping patients take control of diabetes in the North Country:

https://www.claxtonhepburn.org/blog/2025/november/taking-control-of-diabetes-in-the-north-country-/

This Diabetes Awareness Month and beyond, we’re here for you—every step of the way. 💙

Taking Control of Diabetes in the North Country: Education, Support & Advanced Wound Care

11/15/2025

🥦 Wellness Wednesday: Eat the Rainbow!

The more colorful your plate, the better your nutrition! Each color in fruits and veggies represents different nutrients that help your body stay strong.
💚 Green = heart health
🧡 Orange = immune support
💜 Purple = brain power

Challenge yourself this week to include five colors in your meals — your immune system will love you for it! 🌈

11/14/2025

There were so many fun pictures from our Jr Scrubs Club, we had to create a second post to showcase our youngest healthcare heroes. Thank you to our sponsors, the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, Carthage Area Hospital Foundation, and the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Foundation!

11/14/2025

Last month, Carthage Area Hospital had the privilege of hosting area students for the Jr Scrubs Club, sponsored by the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, the Carthage Area Hospital Foundation, and the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Foundation.

These past few weeks the Jr Scrub's Club moved north to St Lawrence County! North Star providers from Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center & Medical Campus visited students from Hammond Central School and Ogdensburg City School District Madill Elementary School, culminaitng with an onsite visit at the hospital today for over 50 future healthcare heroes!

From learning about handwashing, blood pressure checks, dental health, and physical therapy to radiology, emergency services, mental health, and surgery, our Jr. Scrub Club students were all smiles as they explored many different aspects of healthcare through hands-on presentations and demonstrations with providers and support staff. They were particularly excited about our surgical robot! The program culminated in a fun onsite hospital tour, and we look forward to welcoming even more students in the future.

Are you a North Country school interested in having your students participate in our Jr. Scrub Club program? Contact us to learn more!