Bertrand Chaffee Hospital accepts donation from VFW Post 5260

Ally Olsen graciously  accepted a $1,000 donation from the Felton Burns VFW Post 5260 on behalf of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. The donation will be used to purchase a bariatric wheelchair for use on the Medical Unit of the hospital. The members of the local VFW expressed interest in donating to the hospital because it is something that we all use from time to time. We thank them for this generous donation.

Pictured from left to right
Roy Gill, Senior Vice Commander, Tom Schalberg, Commander, Ally Olsen, BCH/JBR, Bob Bieber, Trustee and Darrell Gray, Jr. Vice Commander

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital provides acute inpatient care, 24 hour emergency care, laboratory, imaging, rehabilitation, respiratory, surgical services, and primary care for the 535 square mile rural service area of Southern Erie, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties.  Long term care services are available through the Jennie B. Richmond skilled nursing facility, offering 24-hour nursing care, plus personal care, social and rehabilitation services, and recreational services.

JBR Welcomes Olsen as New Administrator

March 11, 2019 – SPRINGVILLE, NY  — The Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home has announced it has hired a new administrator, Allysa L. Olsen, to manage operations for the 80-bed facility in Springville.

Olsen brings to the Jennie B. a background in social work and crisis counseling. She has experience in assisted living, long-term care and sub-acute rehabilitation facilities in Western New York, specializing in admissions and discharge processes as well as advocating for resident rights and needs. She earned a Long-term Care Administration Certificate from D’Youville College, and a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University at Buffalo. The South Buffalo native began work on March 11.

“I’m eager to meet the residents and staff at the Jennie B.,” said Olsen. “JBR is a treasured part of Springville and I look forward to maintaining its tradition of quality long-term nursing care and short-term rehab services.”

“Allysa has a wealth of social work experience,” said Bertrand Chaffee Hospital CEO Nils Gunnersen. “We’re looking for her to continue our focus on residents’ medical, social and emotional needs.”

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month focuses attention on a disease that is detectable and treatable when caught in its early stages. Each March, healthcare facilities and organizations take steps to raise awareness of this condition and to highlight the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings on a schedule recommended by your healthcare providers.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital joins in this effort by sharing information about colorectal cancer with patients through its Primary Care Center and Surgical Center. The goal: encourage patients to know their risks for colorectal cancer and to get screened on a schedule recommended by their healthcare provider.

For most patients, colon cancer screenings begin at age 50, though certain risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer might indicate that earlier screenings are needed.

Colonoscopies are screening tools that are performed in a surgical setting with sedation for patient comfort. Other screening options include take-home stool tests that are covered by most insurance plans and available for free to uninsured patients through county Cancer Services Programs (CSP). To access the CSP in Erie County, call (716) 858-7376. For Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua Counties, call 877-778-6857.  For Wyoming County, call (716) 278-4898.

At Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, physicians in our Surgical Center perform colonoscopies for patients in an ambulatory surgery setting. That means that patients are generally able to go home from their procedure on the same day.

Colorectal cancer most commonly affects individuals over the age of 50. Patients who are experiencing a change in bowel habits, bleeding or blood in stool, persistent abdominal pain or cramping, or unexplained weight loss should consult with their healthcare provider.

A prescription is needed from a healthcare provider to schedule a colonoscopy. Please call (716) 794-3295 for a colonoscopy consultation with Dr. Gavin Davison, surgeon in the BCH Surgical Center.