Dr. Debra Williams Moves State Street Practice to Bridge Street Professional Building
Dr. Debra J. Williams, DPM, has joined the medical staff of Carthage Area Hospital, effective Monday, May 14. Patients of her longtime practice at 720 State St. can continue the same care in Suite 5 of the hospital’s Carthage Professional Building, 3 Bridge St. The new podiatry clinic is co-located with Tri-County Orthopedics.
Carthage Area Hospital has acquired the podiatry practice after nearly 30 years in service to local residents. Dr. Williams said she hopes the move will enable her to focus more exclusively on patient care while shifting the practice’s business management to hospital staff. Dr. Williams’ mother, Jean, has managed her office since she began practice and will help see the move through. Michele Pignone, LPN, who has worked with Dr. Williams since 2015, will also join the hospital staff.
“When you’re off on your own like we’ve been for so long, it can become isolating,” Dr. Williams said. “Merging the practice with the hospital stands to greatly benefit our patients and all involved in the delivery of quality podiatric care.”
She stressed that she has no immediate plans to retire and that current patients will receive the same quality care they’ve come to trust and respect since she began practicing in Carthage in September 1989. She said the change also means that patients can more seamlessly access additional medical services such as physical therapy and nutrition.
“In addition to clinical privileges at the hospital since 1989, Dr. Williams has enjoyed a close working relationship with the hospital for her entire time in practice. We now welcome her to our medical staff and look forward to helping her grow a trusted service and improve patient access to quality, local podiatry care,” Carthage Area Hospital CEO Rich Duvall said.
No phone numbers will change as a result of the transition. Patients can still reach the podiatry clinic and schedule appointments at 315-493-6949 and fax to 315-493-2445; referring providers should fax orders to 315-519-5683. Beginning Monday, office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on Friday.
Dr. Williams encouraged all who have not established podiatry care — especially those managing diabetes — to call to schedule an appointment as new patients are always welcome.
In addition to periodic check-ups and annual foot exams, Dr. Williams provides a full spectrum of podiatry care, including minor foot surgery, the treatment of ingrown toenails, ankle pain, heal and arch conditions, corns and hammertoes, warts and calluses, and other symptoms that cause pain. The clinic accepts most forms of insurance, including TRICARE, Martin’s Point, Medicaid, and Medicare.
“I look forward to continuing care at my new location and sincerely thank all our patients for the 29 years of support you have given me in private practice,” Dr. Williams said.
About Dr. Debra J. Williams
Debra J. Williams, DPM, is a Carthage native who graduated from Carthage High School. She is a 1982 graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Physical Education. She earned a Master of Science in Exercise Science in 1984 from Iowa State University, Des Moines, and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 1988 from Des Moines University. Dr. Williams completed a podiatric preceptorship in 1989 in Marshalltown, Iowa, and later that year returned to her hometown of Carthage to begin private practice.
She is the mother of two grown daughters, Kristy, 23, an occupational therapist who graduated this year from Gannon University, Erie, Pa., and Jacqueline, 20, an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she studies exercise science and plays Division 1 women’s lacrosse.
Outside of practice, Dr. Williams enjoys tennis, golf and cross-country skiing. She is an avid professional tennis fan and looks forward each year to attending the U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y.
About Carthage Area Hospital
Carthage Area Hospital was established as a not-for-profit rural community hospital in 1965. It operates today as a fully accredited 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, serving approximately 83,000 residents in Jefferson, northern Lewis and southern St. Lawrence counties. The hospital formed a clinical affiliation with Crouse Health, Syracuse, in 2017.
The hospital also operates a network of community-based clinics, including its Philadelphia Medical Center, Family Health Center, Pediatric Clinic and Women’s Way to Wellness and provides a range of specialty care, including general surgery, orthopedics, podiatry, urology, neurosurgical care, physical therapy and behavioral health.
