Schenectady, N.Y.-based Ellis Medicine has signed employment agreements with 22 cardiologists now affiliated with Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter’s Health Partners, according to a statement shared with Becker’s Oct. 21.
The physicians will begin practicing as Ellis employees on Jan. 1, 2027. The group makes up the vast majority of cardiologists practicing in Schenectady with St. Peter’s.
The announcement follows a legal battle between the two systems over 27 cardiologists who signed one-year noncompete agreements with St. Peter’s. Earlier in October, New York State Sen. Jim Tedisco urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to intervene on behalf of the roughly 50,000 patients those physicians treat.
Ten advanced practice providers who support cardiology patients also signed agreements with Ellis. The health system kept its two cardiothoracic surgeons, Christopher Zambrano, DO, and Vincent Park, MD. It also recruited two cardiologists from outside the area. Mohamed Munshi, MD, began seeing patients this week. Victoria Leonichev, MD, is relocating from Westchester County and is expected to start in December.
“Twenty-two cardiologists choosing to continue their careers with Ellis sends a powerful message about their commitment to their patients and this community — and their confidence in the future of cardiovascular care at Ellis,” said Paul Milton, president and CEO of Ellis Medicine.
Ellis will lease seven cardiology offices across the Capital Region: Niskayuna, Schenectady, Glenville, Clifton Park, Amsterdam, Gloversville and Rotterdam. Procedures will stay at Ellis Hospital. The Rotterdam site, in a former Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, will also offer primary care and be open to veterans.
Ellis said patients will see no immediate changes to their care. In the coming weeks, the system will launch a dedicated phone line and webpage for scheduling appointments in 2027.
“Between now and Jan. 1, patients should continue doing exactly what they have been doing,” said Chris Jordan, COO of Ellis Medicine.
Mr. Milton said Ellis believes “physicians should have the freedom to choose where they practice.”
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