News from October 2016

This is Diabetes: Diabetes Awareness Month in November

Diabetes has been called an invisible disease. Fact: About 29 million Americans deal with this chronic illness. Fact: Every 23 seconds, another person in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes. And, fact: with 86 million Americans in danger of developing this condition, raising awareness of diabetes symptoms, treatment options, risk factors and ways to lower those risks are of high importance.

In November, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) calls attention to diabetes with American Diabetes Month. Employees at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home will be wearing gray on Monday, November 14 – World Diabetes Day. Gray was established as the designated color for diabetes in the early 1990s.

graphic created by the American Diabetes Association

The stereotypes and myths about diabetes can be addressed through the awareness efforts of national organizations like the ADA. Local outreach from healthcare providers and primary care centers to patients and families also plays a key role in clearing up confusion about diabetes. Education programs like the one at BCH are helpful for patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes to access accurate, relevant and current information about these conditions.

BCH’s Diabetes Education Program is accredited by the American Association of Diabetic Educators, and offers group and individual classes for pre-diabetics and diabetics. The BCH diabetes support group meets on the first Monday of most months. This group continues with the topic “Holiday Eating” on November 7 and “Web Sites and Apps” on December 5. There is no cost to participate in this group. For more information, call (716) 592-9643.

BCH Foundation Announces Annual Appeal Kickoff Gift from Mahoney and Sullivan Financial Group

At its quarterly meeting in October, the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation board of directors welcomed guests Kevin and Jeanne Mahoney. For a second year, they presented a donation from Mahoney & Sullivan Financial Group in East Concord in support of the foundation’s annual appeal, which begins in late October.

Jessica Sullivan, a foundation board member, and Kevin Mahoney, a former hospital board member, stepped forward with the appeal’s first gift. “Rural hospitals like ours are the heart of their communities,” said Nils Gunnersen, BCH CEO. “Foundation gifts to our facility have a long-term benefit for the health of our facility and the health of our community.”

“Annual donations fund projects that directly help patients who seek out care at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital,” said William King, foundation board president. “Each gift that individuals, families and businesses choose to make to our foundation means a new chance to do more for the facility and its services.”

“With our appeal, we’re able to talk not only about the 70-year history of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, but the Foundation’s 20-year record of funding technology, tools and transformational projects at BCH and JBR,” said Mary Kwiatek, foundation board vice president. A new option with this appeal includes a “Celebration Kit,” where a donor can suggest to their family and friends that they give a gift to the foundation in lieu of a present for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions. Visit www.bertrandchaffee.com/celebrate for more information.

Projects funded by the foundation in the past five years include portable ultrasound equipment for the Emergency Department, acute care floor and nursing home; “smart” IV pumps; digital mammography; diagnostic tools for the Heart Center; and specialty treatment equipment for physical therapy. For more information, visit www.bertrandchaffee.com/foundation or call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.

This is Diabetes: Raise Awareness in November

Diabetes has been called an invisible disease. Fact: About 29 million Americans deal with this chronic illness. Fact: Every 23 seconds, another person in the United States is diagnosed with diabetes. And, fact: with 86 million Americans in danger of developing this condition, raising awareness of diabetes symptoms, treatment options, risk factors and ways to lower those risks are of high importance.

In November, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) calls attention to diabetes with American Diabetes Month. Employees at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home will be wearing gray on Monday, November 14 – World Diabetes Day.  Gray was established as the designated color for diabetes in the early 1990s.

The stereotypes and myths about diabetes can be addressed through the awareness efforts of national organizations like the ADA. Local outreach from healthcare providers and primary care centers to patients and families also plays a key role in clearing up confusion about diabetes.

Education programs like the one at BCH are helpful for patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes to access accurate, relevant and current information about these conditions. BCH’s Diabetes Education Program is accredited by the American Association of Diabetic Educators, and offers group and individual classes for pre-diabetics and diabetics. The BCH diabetes support group meets on the first Monday of most months. This group continues with the topic “Holiday Eating” on November 7 and “Web Sites and Apps” on December 5. There is no cost to participate in this group. For more information, call (716) 592-9643.

Dr. Gavin Davison Achieves Board Certification from American Board of Surgery

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is pleased to announce that after taking his examinations this fall, Gavin Davison, MD has been board certified in surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

Not all practicing surgeons are board certified. Certification is different from possessing a medical license, which is the minimum required by law to practice medicine. Board-certified surgeons like Dr. Davison choose this voluntary process to demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, lifelong learning and quality patient care. They meet rigorous educational, ethical and professional requirements before being granted the opportunity to take qualifying and certifying examinations. Board-certified surgeons commit to maintaining their certification through a program of continuous medical education, assessment and evaluation.

“Patients have been calling for appointments since before we had a phone number for his office,” said Surgical Services Manager Cynthia Lillie, RN. “He has had a busy first few weeks, which has been a great introduction to our patients and their health needs.”

With Dr. Davison as chief of surgery, patients who choose Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will not only have access to a board-certified general surgeon close to home, but one who is trained in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. Patients who have laparoscopic procedures generally have decreased scarring, faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays and far less blood loss than traditional surgeries.

The consultations and surgeries performed by Dr. Davison will complement the other procedures available through the Surgical Center, such as screening colonoscopies and endoscopies. Two other procedures will now be available through the Surgical Center: Mediport (port catheter) placement and PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) insertion.

“We’re making investments in new equipment and technology to support laparoscopic surgery and Dr. Davison’s patients,” said Nils Gunnersen, CEO. “BCH continues its focus on making sure our community has access to vital and essential healthcare services.”

“Dr. Davison will be available to consult on patients who present in the emergency department and who are staying on the second floor,” said Vice President of Medical Affairs Edwin Heidelberger, MD. “This is a great addition to the types of medical procedures that our patients will be able to access within their community.”

Dr. Davison opened his general surgery practice at on Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s second floor as of October 3, and the facility welcomed him with a reception on October 14. He is accepting new patients and all major insurance plans. For more information, talk to your primary care provider or call (716) 794-3295.

WNY Community Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – October 22

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville will be a site for the DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This location will be staffed by pharmacists and pharmacy students, and law enforcement officers will be present at all sites. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Bring your unused or expired prescription drugs to this convenient drop off site at the front entrance of BCH at 224 East Main Street.

Medicines in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. This event aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.

Flu Shot Clinic – Protect Yourself this Flu Season

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is offering a flu shot clinic for current Primary Care Center patients on Thursday, October 6 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Wednesday, October 12 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Appointments are not necessary, and patients can check in at the third floor reception desk. Patients will need their insurance card if coverage has changed since their last visit. A flu shot is covered under most insurance plans. Call (716) 592-8140 for more information.