In 2025, Community Health Center of the North Country (CHCNC) made meaningful investments in the health and well-being of the communities it serves. Through the addition of new providers, expanded pediatric care, and the introduction of new specialty services, CHCNC strengthened its ability to deliver high-quality, comprehensive healthcare close to home, while laying the groundwork for continued growth in 2026 and beyond. A Major Expansion of Pediatric Services One of the most significant advancements in 2025 was the expansion of pediatric services, particularly at CHCNC’s Gouverneur and Ogdensburg locations with the addition of Dr. Scott Spicer, MD and Dr. Sunny Patel, MD. As access to pediatric care becomes increasingly limited in many of our rural areas, CHCNC took proactive steps to meet the needs of local families by welcoming new pediatric providers and increasing capacity. This expansion allows children and adolescents to receive timely, consistent care, from well-child visits and immunizations to management of acute and chronic conditions without families having to travel long distances. For parents and caregivers, it means greater peace of mind. For the community, it ensures young patients can establish long-term relationships with trusted providers right here in the North Country. Growing Our Provider Team Beyond pediatrics, 2025 marked a year of broad growth across CHCNC’s clinical team. Numerous new providers joined the organization, expanding access to primary and preventive care and allowing CHCNC to better meet the growing demand for services across the region. This included Dr. Robert Rogers, MD at our Canton facility, and Dr. Sarika Shah-Sekhon, MD in Ogdensburg. This growth reflects CHCNC’s continued focus on patient access, continuity of care, and long-term sustainability, ensuring individuals and families can receive the care they need when and where they need it. Expanding Access to Specialty Care Access to specialty care remains a challenge for many areas in the North Country, and in 2025, CHCNC took an important step forward by adding dermatology services with Chris LaPoint, PA. This expansion filled a critical gap for patients who previously faced long wait times or extensive travel for specialty appointments. By bringing dermatology services closer to home, CHCNC improved patient convenience, reduced barriers to care, and enhanced overall health outcomes, while continuing to build a more comprehensive system of care within the community. Behavioral health services were bolstered with the addition of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Amanda Creel at our Canton Health Center, but available at all locations via telehealth. Looking Ahead to 2026 Looking ahead, the momentum gained in 2025 continues in 2026, with several physicians already planning to join the CHCNC team. These include: Dr. Tiffany Hecht MD; Dr. Johnny Mendoza, MD and Dr. Marta M. Anghel, MD; these additions, and others to be announced soon, will further strengthen primary and pediatric care for people of all ages and reinforce CHCNC’s commitment to relationship-based, patient centered care. One of the most anticipated additions in early 2026 is the expansion into women’s health services. In February, the organization will welcome Noelle Polniak, NP. This reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to closing care gaps and ensuring essential services are available locally. Rooted in the North Country While growth and expansion define 2025 and 2026, CHCNC’s foundation remains unchanged. The organization is locally controlled, locally managed, and led by people who live in, and are deeply connected to, the North Country. Decisions are made by people who understand the unique challenges and strengths of the region because it is their home too. Many of CHCNC’s providers share that same connection. A number grew up in the North Country and made the conscious decision to return; choosing to care for the people and communities that helped shape them. That commitment creates strong patient-provider relationships built on trust, familiarity, and shared values. Today, Community Health Center of the North Country delivers award-winning care that is accessible to everyone. All patients are welcome, all insurances are accepted, and care is provided with dignity, respect, and excellence. As CHCNC continues to grow, its mission remains clear: To provide comprehensive, equitable and accessible high quality healthcare and human services to people of all income levels and those with individualized needs in both St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties
After the recent expansion of their pediatric team in Gouverneur, Community Health Center of the North Country (CHCNC), one of Northern New York’s premiere independent full service family practices for people of all income levels, is happy to announce their growth continues, as they welcome Dr. Robert T. Rogers, II, MD to the team of dedicated physicians at their Canton practice, located at 4 Commerce Lane in Canton. Dr. Rogers is an Internist with degrees from both Dartmouth College and McGill University. He completed his internship and residency at Albany Medical Center. He is a Fellow with the American College of Physicians and is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Prior to joining our team Dr. Rogers practiced internal medicine for 46 years here in the North Country with Canton-Potsdam Hospital. He has also been Medical Director of the Clarkson Physician Assistant Program since its inception in 2010.
Community Health Center of the North Country (CHCNC), one of Northern New York’s premiere independent full service family practices for people of all income levels, is pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Spicer, MD to their team of dedicated pediatric physicians at the Gouverneur practice, located at 77 West Barney Street in Gouverneur. He will be seeing patients from birth into early adulthood, and is accepting new patients now. Interested members of the community can call 315-287-4440 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Spicer has been providing Pediatric services since 2008. With a Bachelor of Science from St. Lawrence University in Canton (2001) and a Doctorate of Medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse (2005), he has practiced at various locations throughout St. Lawrence County, including Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Dr. Spicer is a Member and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Originally from Colton, he is excited to join Dr. Donald Schuessler, MD and Kylie Lansing, PA in providing pediatric care for families in Gouverneur and the surrounding area. Community Health Center of the North Country, one of Northern New York’s premiere independent providers of healthcare services for people of all income levels, operates full service family practices in Canton, Gouverneur, Malone, and Ogdensburg. Services include but are not limited to: primary, pediatric, and dental care, behavioral health, physical therapy, care management, outreach and enrollment, WIC, and many programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Optometry services are also available at the Arsenal Street center in Watertown.