Hospital merger touted as a "game-changer" for Upstate Medical University

Dr. David Smith, president of Upstate Medical University, handed out coffee mugs to his senior management team last fall. The cups were inscribed with the expression, "Get-r-done!" referring to Upstate's effort to buy Community General Hospital. Smith and other hospital officials celebrated the fulfillment of that motto today at a ceremony in front of Community General Hospital. "This is a game-changing event for us," Smith said. "This is not just about having two hospitals coming together, but a university coming together." Smith said the acquisition of Community General will give Upstate a larger platform to care for patients, teach medical students and other health professionals and do research.