Mercy Flight Adds Bell 429 Helicopters to Its Fleet

Announcement

Dozens of guests and wellwishers joined Mercy Flight WNY and Mercy EMS on Thursday, September 20 to welcome the arrival of a new Bell 429 helicopter. This aircraft will be stationed in Springville at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital as part of a USDA Rural Development program.

Mercy Flight has been a partner in local emergency medical care with Bertrand Chaffee Hospital since its inception 37 years ago. Former BCH Director of Patient Care Services Darlene Schrantz, RN, Mercy Flight’s “first flight nurse” and mother of its first transport patient, was on hand to congratulate the Mercy Flight team.

BCH Board and BCH Foundation board member Stan Handzlik was on hand to deliver a dedication and blessing. He also shared this video of the event.

 

MercyFlight WNY brings a new Bell 429 to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital from Stan Handzlik on Vimeo

 

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BCH Adds Two Providers to Primary Care Center

Announcement, People

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has added two new providers to its Primary Care Center in Springville. Daniel Karstedt, PA and Kenneth Dabolt, PA will start seeing patients this summer.

Daniel Karstedt, PA specializes in family medicine and earned his master’s degree from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Penn. Prior to attending school for his physician assistant training, he spent four years at Mercyhurst where he earned a bachelor’s of science in biology. Karstedt is originally from Eden and is a graduate of Eden Jr./Sr. High School. Throughout his clinical year, he gained experience in primary care and has a particular interest in dermatology and sports medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

“I hope to establish healthy long-term relationships with my patients. I am excited to provide accessible health care to those in our rural community as I grew up and reside in a small town and understand the importance of keeping health care close to home,” said Karstedt.  “I believe the close-knit community at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will provide a very rewarding experience as a health care provider.”

Kenneth Dabolt is a resident of Sardinia and earned his physician assistant degree from Daemen College. His clinical rotations included ob/gyn, emergency medicine, dermatology, plastic surgery, general surgery and pediatrics. He is a member of the Western New York Physician Assistant Association and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

“I grew up in this area and I’m proud to be able to practice medicine in my hometown,” said Dabolt. “Primary care visits are an essential way for patients to maintain their good health, and I’m looking forward to contributing to better health outcomes in our region.”

CEO Nils Gunnersen noted that while many rural healthcare facilities are challenged in finding primary care providers, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has been fortunate in that regard since opening its practice in 2010. “The talented physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners that we have recruited to Springville believe, as we do, in the value of rural healthcare.” The BCH Primary Care Center is accepting new patients and all major insurances. Call (716) 592-8140 for an appointment.

 

BCH Foundation News from July Meeting

Announcement

The BCH Foundation held its quarterly meeting on Monday, July 9, with a full slate of business items.

The board welcomed Judi White of Springville as its newest member. White has lived in Springville for more than 25 years, and has been an active member of the BCH Women’s Association and part of their activities.

News about the grant projects that will be supported through Foundation funds will be announced throughout the rest of the summer. The major requests that were funded included renovation of the second floor acute care nurses’ station based on proceeds from the Garden Party in May. Other projects involve renovation of the kitchenettes on the west and east wings of the Jennie B., and the purchase of specialized equipment for the Emergency Department.

Women’s Association Installation Dinner

Announcement

On June 6, members of the BCH Women’s Association gathered at the Apple Dumplin’ restaurant to hold their annual installation dinner, and to present donations to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.

Proceeds from their constant fundraising projects – including a fashion show, basket raffle, bake sale, and operation of the BCH gift shop – will benefit equipment in the Emergency Department and a set of new, accessible picnic tables for residents and families at the Jennie B.

We thank the entire BCH Women’s Association for their unwavering support for our patients and residents! Expect more updates over the summer as we acquire our clinical equipment and install our picnic tables.

Prediabetes Program at BCH

Community, Event

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death & disability in the United States. Type 2 diabetes is an avoidable condition.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is coordinating a Prevent Type 2 Diabetes (PT2) program, facilitated by a certified diabetes educator and a registered nurse, both whom are certified prediabetes lifestyle coaches.

Studies indicate that graduates who successfully complete the one-year education and support program can prevent or delay the risk for developing type 2 diabetes by up to 58%.

Who should consider this program? The CDC estimates that over 33% of adults have prediabetes. Persons with a diagnosis of prediabetes, impaired fasting blood glucose, have a history of gestational diabetes, have are overweight (have a BMI greater than 24) are at risk for type 2 diabetes, or score of 9 or more on the prediabetes screening test [https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetestest.pdf].
How can I register? Call (716) 592-9643. We are currently taking registration for a Thursday class to start July 5th at 1 p.m. The first six months, participants meet weekly and after that, monthly meetings will help keep you on track. Additional classes will be scheduled to meet patient demand. If you cannot attend on Thursday afternoon, call and we will inquire of the best day and time for future classes.

Details and Cost: The PT2 program is covered by many insurances without a co-pay and always by Medicare. When calling to register, additional information on insurance coverage will be available. Classes will be offered on different days and times when at least five persons are able to start a new class. Peer-support is an important part of the success of this program, so patients are unable to jump into classes that already exist.

Judware Joins BCH Physical Therapy Team

Announcement

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s Physical Therapy Department has added another physical therapist as of May 2018. Jessica Judware comes to Bertrand Chaffee following clinical experiences in rehabilitation and nursing facilities, pre-school and school settings and inpatient care.

As an active, multi-sport athlete in high school at Franklinville Central School District and through college, Judware observed injuries in teammates and opposing players, and how they worked through the rehabilitative process. This sparked her interest in sports medicine and physical therapy, and led her to complete her doctor of physical therapy degree from Daemen College. Judware is licensed in New York State, and will be providing comprehensive physical therapy services for acute care patients and outpatients at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.

The hours for the Physical Therapy Department have recently changed to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (Monday through Friday). The department can be reached at (716) 592-2871 ext. 1262.

 

Drug Disposal Box at BCH 

Announcement, Community
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has installed a drug disposal drop off box in its Emergency Department Waiting Room. Members of the public can use this service to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications in a safe and secure manner.

The box is accessible 24/7, and is monitored by security cameras. “This is one more way to keep drugs out of our water supply and out of the hands of children,” said Heather Hodson, PharmD, pharmacy department director. “We encourage our patients and area residents to clear out unused and expired pills, tablets, liquids, ointments and eye drops regularly from their cabinets and drawers.”

Although medications are accepted, needles and medical supplies should not be disposed of through ths location. This box was made possible by a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through its Pilot Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program.

Additional drop off boxes are available in Erie County at many local substations, including the ones in Springville and Boston.

Honoring William King

Community, People,

This appeared in the 2018 Garden Party program.

William King’s service to his community extends back to his service to our country as a U.S. Army soldier in Korea. Raised in West Valley, he returned from military service and began a long career as an IBEW electrician—now a 58-year member. He started with Dobkin and Gold Co. in 1960 and after four years as an apprentice, went on to spend 29 years on construction and renovation projects throughout Western New York. From there, he was an electrical inspector for the New York Board of Fire Underwriters for Erie and Cattaraugus Counties for 10 years.

His involvement with Bertrand Chaffee Hospital can only be described as extensive and fundamental.  He joined the hospital’s board of directors in 1972, the same year he was elected as president of the West Valley Volunteer Hose Company. Between then and 1992, he was an integral part of expansion and construction projects for the facility.  His call to service did not end there, as he became the town supervisor for Ashford in 1992, continuing for several terms, and he has been the town’s budget officer for 28 years and counting.

In 1997, he came back into the Bertrand Chaffee fold as a member of the then-new BCH Foundation, where he has remained a strong presence for the past 21 years, now as president. During his tenure on the board and foundation board, he served as president for the majority of his terms.

He and his wife, Carol, divide their time between West Valley and a home in Florida.

We thank Bill for his unwavering support of our hospital, his belief in our mission and his commitment to making our community a better place.