E J Noble Hospital Samaritan in Alexandria Bay, NY

Pros

• River Hospital staff were kind and helpful, and patients were in and out in under an hour.
• The PA, nurses, medical technicians, and radiologists had a bedside manner second to none.
• River Hospital is reliable in emergencies and knows what to do to provide prompt, thorough care.
• The hospital provides quick PCP and women's health appointments with caring doctors.
• The ER team, including Dr. Shadoe and Natalie, were absolutely awesome and attentive.
• Colleen went above and beyond to make the ER visit as pleasant as possible.
• Reviewers consistently praise River Hospital for professionalism, courtesy, and efficiency.
• Fast registration and friendly outpatient staff are commonly noted positives at River Hospital.

Cons

• The hospital needs to address systemic failures and provide accountability.
• Patients are left chasing their own care, indicating a breakdown in communication and coordination.
• The ER is described as having long waits and patients left unattended for hours in distress.
• The staff are described as rude, unprofessional, and demeaning to patients.
• Prescriptions are mishandled, with failures to process them and patients pushed to intervene themselves.
• Medical records are not reliably sent when requested, and staff do not follow through after promising to call back.
• The waiting room is overcrowded with serious conditions left untreated for hours, raising privacy and HIPAA concerns.
• Billing and management are described as unprofessional and shady, with disputed or amended charges.
• The facility is labeled by some reviewers as a joke or the worst hospital they've encountered.

Review

This community is best suited for local residents and vacationers who want a compact, river-adjacent emergency option for straightforward, non-acute issues. It can serve as a convenient first stop for familiar, everyday medical needs where proximity and a basic level of ER service are enough. However, it is not a reliable home base for high-acuity emergencies, complex diagnoses, or ongoing, coordinated care. Families with chronic conditions, pregnancy in progress, or recurrent hospital needs should consider stronger, more resourced facilities nearby.

Alternatives deserve strong consideration for anyone whose expectations include consistently timely care, rigorous triage, and strong care continuity. The pattern of experiences suggests that when the situation is not urgent, waits can still be long; when it is urgent, miscommunications or delays can occur. For patients who require reliable, comprehensive screening, rapid access to specialists, or smooth transfer to larger centers, a larger regional hospital is likely a better fit. Those seeking a seamless, fully staffed experience across departments (laboratory, imaging, inpatient services) may find more dependable delivery elsewhere.

On the plus side, there are moments when care teams function well. Several reviews highlight courteous nurses, clear imaging explanations, and competent providers in specific encounters. When the system operates smoothly - efficient registration, attentive radiology staff, and clinicians who explain procedures and meds - patients feel they have been treated with respect and competence. For families prioritizing rapid imaging or quick, uncomplicated procedures, these pockets of strength can be meaningful and practical, offering genuine value in the moments they occur.

Yet the most persistent themes are hard to ignore: long waits, uneven professionalism, and inconsistent clinical outcomes. Reports of hours-long delays in triage, misdiagnoses, and withheld or mishandled treatments point to a pattern of care that can risk safety and frustrate anxious families. Billing and administrative inconsistencies compound the frustration, with out-of-pocket costs or amendments creating confusion after the fact. The gaps aren't merely inconvenient; they can undermine trust at vulnerable moments, especially when information-sharing and follow-up communication fall short.

For families weighing decisions, a practical playbook follows. If choosing this hospital, assume that some visits will require patience for standby times and that not all departments maintain the same level of reliability. Have a concrete plan for turning to primary care or a regional center if symptoms worsen or if a transfer becomes necessary. Bring a complete medication list, verify tests and results promptly, and request explicit explanations for diagnoses and proposed treatments. Consider asking for a specific clinician if prior experiences suggest better bedside manner or clearer communication, and be prepared to escalate concerns through patient advocacy channels or billing disputes when needed.

In the end, this community offers a modest, locally reachable option with moments of solid care, especially in imaging and certain nursing interactions. It serves well for people who value proximity, a familiar staff presence, and uncomplicated visits. For anyone facing complex medical needs, high-acuity symptoms, or the expectation of consistently coordinated care, stronger regional facilities are usually the wiser choice. The decision hinges on balance: attainable access and occasional effective care versus the potential for lengthy waits, uneven staff experiences, and administrative headaches. Family decision-makers should weigh these realities against nearby hospitals with broader service lines and stronger transfer networks to determine the best fit.

This part of Alexandria Bay, New York, offers a variety of places of worship for spiritual support and community engagement, including the Philadelphia United Methodist Church and Riva Ridge Chapel Traditional Protestant Service. Residents can also enjoy dining options such as Cook's Family Diner and Jreck Subs, as well as convenient transportation services provided by U-Haul Moving & Storage and G Wizz Auto Rentals. For leisure activities, there are parks like Butterfield Park and entertainment venues like Black River Drive In Theatre. Additionally, access to healthcare is readily available with physicians like Harvey Frank E Dr MD nearby, along with pharmacies such as Walgreens for medication needs. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and convenient location in Alexandria Bay.

Places of Worship

• Philadelphia United Methodist Church (16.4 miles)
• Riva Ridge Chapel Traditional Protestant Service (20.5 miles)
• New Testament Christian Church (23.2 miles)
• Welch (23.3 miles)
• St Johns Episcopal Church (23.5 miles)
• Black River United Methodist Church (23.5 miles)
• Watertown Baptist Temple Study (24.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Cook's Family Diner (16.7 miles)
• Jreck Subs (16.8 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (20.5 miles)
• Arby's (21 miles)
• Arby's (21.1 miles)
• McDonald's (21.2 miles)
• Subway (22.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (20.6 miles)
• G Wizz Auto Rentals (20.9 miles)
• DOL Rail Head (21.9 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (22.2 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (22.6 miles)
• W.E.R Yellow Cab (24.7 miles)
• Conrail (24.8 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (20.9 miles)
• Starbucks (21 miles)
• Starbucks (24.9 miles)

Parks

• Butterfield Park (21.8 miles)
• Watertown Parks & Recreation (24.3 miles)

Theaters

• Black River Drive In Theatre (23.7 miles)

Physicians

• Harvey Frank E Dr MD (24.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (24.9 miles)