News from July 2016

BCH Primary Care Welcomes New Physician, Dr. Shanahan

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that Dr. Jacqueline Shanahan will be joining the Primary Care Center as of August 9, 2016.

She began her medical career as an emergency medical technician while earning her bachelor of science in biology degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo. From there, she earned a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Following training through the United States Army Health Professions scholarship program, Dr. Shanahan completed her family medicine internship and residency at Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Fort Gordon, Ga. She was a primary care physician for new recruits and active duty soldiers, along with roles as medical director and physician coordinator. Dr. Shanahan also served as the primary care physician for the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at Ft. Sill, Okla. The WTU serves wounded, ill and injured soldiers who require extensive rehabilitative services and/or complex medical care.

“With her background as a military physician, Dr. Shanahan is a tremendous addition to our area’s medical community,” said Nils Gunnersen, BCH CEO. “We are very fortunate to continually recruit talented providers to our rural facility.”

Dr. Shanahan is a board-certified family physician through the American Board of Family Medicine, and holds medical licenses through the states of New York and Georgia. She will see patients of all ages in the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Primary Care Center. Call (716) 592-8140 for an appointment.

BCH Foundation Update – Investments in Cardiac Equipment and Lab Analyzer

At the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation’s July board meeting, members reviewed the summary from the successful Garden Party in May, and approved grant requests from hospital administration. The Foundation was able to fund the purchase of a backup chemistry analyzer for the Lab Department, along with two Zoll monitors to be used in the Heart Center and on the medical floor. Zoll monitors are a type of defibrillator used for pacing irregular heart rhythms, and will be a welcome addition to the hospital’s cardiac services. These devices have the ability to shock a patient into a sustainable rhythm.

The group also looked ahead to fall activities. On September 10, the Foundation will bring Shred-It, a document disposal service, to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s parking lot for a community paper recycling event. Area residents, organizations and businesses are invited to bring personal and financial documents for on-site shredding for a suggested donation of $10 per “banker’s box.”  The Foundation also discussed plans for the Boo Bash on October 22 at the Springville Volunteer Fire Hall. Pre-sale tickets will be $25, or $30 at the door, for this 21-and-over event.

Yellow Dot Materials Available at BCH

Starting in July, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is a distribution site for Yellow Dot kits provided by Sheriff Timothy Howard’s office. The New York State Sheriffs’ Association developed the Yellow Dot program to aid first responders in identifying specific medical conditions of occupants while providing life-saving medical attention after a vehicle crash or other emergency.

Each kit contains a personal information card with space for a current photo and a Yellow Dot decal. The yellow sticker is placed on the rear driver’s side window, and the info card goes in the vehicle’s glove compartment. The card should be updated at least once a year, preferably at one’s annual medical checkup.

Yellow Dot kits can also be used inside the home by placing the decal on or near the front door, and the info card in a clear plastic freezer bag in a visible location of the freezer part of the refrigerator. This kit is useful for people of all ages, their families, and caregivers.

The kits at BCH were generously provided by the Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and through their outreach to support first responders and promote public safety. Yellow Dot kits will be distributed to patients on discharge, and are available upon request from the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Primary Care Center, Heart Center and Emergency Department. For more information, please call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.

For more information at about the Yellow Dot program please visit the Erie County Sheriff’s Office website, www.erie.gov/sheriff.

BCH Foundation Announces Community Shred-It Event

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation will host a Community Shred-It Event in the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital parking lot on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

This unique recycling event invites residents and businesses to shred papers through Shred-It, the world’s largest document destruction company. A shredding truck will be on site for vehicles to drive up and dispose of confidential, financial or sensitive documents.

Donations of $5 per grocery bag or $10 per box are requested. For more information, contact (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485 or kkane@bch-jbr.org.

New Patient Cart for Emergency Department Thanks to BCH Women’s Association

Thanks to the BCH Women’s Association continual efforts to raise funds for equipment and improvements at BCH and JBR, a new patient cart is in use in the Emergency Department. This specialized cart is a part of the patient safety planning that is underway by hospital administration and staff.

The next BCH Women’s Association event is its annual Fashion Show on Saturday, September 25 at 2 p.m. at the Springville Volunteer Fire Hall.

Their gift shop in the hospital (first floor) is open weekdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Diabetes Education Program Reaccredited by American Association of Diabetes Educators

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has announced that its Diabetes Education Program has been reaccredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators for 2017. This program is one of nine accredited programs in western New York and the only hospital-based program in the southtowns and southern tier. BCH achieved its initial accreditation in 2013; to maintain it, the program demonstrates quality standards and improvement in patient clinical and behavioral outcomes.

The next monthly Diabetic Support Group is scheduled for August 1 at 6 p.m. with a guest speaker on the topic “How I reversed by diabetes with lifestyle changes.” All type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their friends or family members are invited to this free program. Classes in July include Diabetes Monitoring and Risk Factors on July 11 at 6 p.m.; Pre-Diabetes on July 18 at 10 a.m.; Diabetes Coping and Problem Solving on July 25 at 6 p.m. Registration is required for these classes – call (716) 592-9643.

SCENe Garden Walk

The BCH Foundation is pleased to be a part of the SCENe Garden Walk on Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Visit our Memorial Garden, sit in the shade and view the names on our Memorial Wall.

Maps of participating gardens will be available at Fiddler’s Green Park on July 9.