BCH Womens Association Presents Fashion Show on October 1

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Women’s Association is counting down the days until its annual Fashion Show on Sunday, October 1 at 2 p.m. The theme for 2017 is “Apple of Your Eye Fashions.” This year’s event will be held at the Concord Senior Center on Commerce Drive, off Waverly, in Springville.

Volunteers will model outfits and accessories from Christopher & Banks and maurices of Springville. Refreshments, a basket raffle and sale of items from the BCH Gift Shop will be part of this event.

The BCH Women’s Association supports projects and equipment at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home. Their volunteers work throughout the year to coordinate fundraising events like this fashion show, and management of the BCH Gift Shop. The group’s most recent donation funded a state-of-the-art vein viewer, now in use in the hospital’s emergency department and lab.

Tickets are $8 presale and available at the BCH front desk and the BCH Gift Shop. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $9 each. Call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485 with any questions or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities..

Family, Friends, Food and Fun at Employee Summer Picnic

What a Saturday! Dozens of BCH and JBR employees and hundreds of family members and friends turned out for a fun-filled picnic at Sprague Brook Park on August 19. The activities started before noon and continued until almost dusk. Ping-pong, kan-jam, washers, a vigorous game of volleyball, and an assortment of kids and dogs made the day exactly what we wanted it to be, which was a memorable event that brought #teamchaffee together.

Thank you to all of the employees who helped with set up, food prep, manning the grill and clean up!

We will add pictures from the day on our Facebook page and here on our web site; please share your pictures too with kkane@bch-jbr.org.

United Way Day of Caring Volunteers Spruce Up Sidewalks and Gardens

United Way Day of Caring 2017Volunteers from M&T Bank and ITT Enidine of Orchard Park descended on Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home as part of the United Way of Buffalo and Western New York’s annual Day of Caring on August 16.

Starting at the hospital entrance, the group made its way down the sidewalk, tearing out weeds and building up garden areas as they went. The mild weather and slight breeze made their work go quickly.

This event brings teams of enthusiastic volunteers together with non-profits to tackle small and not-so-small projects. For BCH and JBR, it meant outdoor painting, trimming, weeding, mulching, edging, and general landscaping.

Thank you to all the participants and to the BCH maintenance team for its support with supplies and direction.

Erie County Health Department Narcan Use Workshop on September 20

The Springville Regional Services Coalition and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital are coordinating another workshop with Erie County’s Health Department on opioid overdose recognition and Naloxone use. This free event will take place on Wednesday, September 20 at the Springville Middle School at 6:30 p.m.

This class trains people to recognize signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, properly administer naloxone and take the necessary follow-up steps. The information in this workshop can help to save the life of a family member, friend, neighbor or colleague who is experiencing an overdose caused by an opiate or prescription narcotic.

Participants who successfully complete the training will receive a kit containing two doses of naloxone at no charge. This free training is open to anyone 16 years old or older. Register online at bit.ly/narcan0920 or call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.

Hotlines for Help: 2-1-1 WNY and Crisis Services

At its July meeting, the Springville Regional Services Coalition continued its discussion regarding local access to social and human services agencies for residents in the Springville area.

One idea from that monthly meeting, and one that we share here in this release, is that there are two existing resources that need to be more widely known by Western New York residents and agencies that work with individuals and families.

2-1-1 WNY is a free and confidential link to health and human services. Dialing three easy numbers – 2-1-1 – on your phone connects to a trained information and referral specialist every day, all day. Callers can be directed to information about basic needs, food assistance, free tax preparation, holiday assistance, housing, job training, legal counseling, mental health services, substance abuse services, volunteer opportunities and other services in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

Another phone number that people should program into their phones is (716) 831-7007. This is another hotline, run by Erie County and Crisis Services, providing callers with resources and referrals to substance abuse, addiction and mental health services. This hotline opened for calls in August 2016 and has referred hundreds of people since to recovery, treatment and counseling programs.

The Springville Regional Service Coalition unites human resource providers, public service organizations and individuals to improve the quality of life for the greater Springville community by facilitating cooperation, collaboration, communication and creation of initiatives. The group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. in the village of Springville offices at 65 Franklin Street. No meeting is scheduled for August and the next will be on September 21. Contact atodd@goodwillwny.org to be included in our communications.

BCH Adds Blood Pressure Classes for Primary Care, Cardiac Patients

Blood Pressure CuffDue to popular demand, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is extending its blood pressure classes for BCH Primary Care Center and BCH Heart Center patients. Participants receive a free blood pressure cuff and journal.

August 28, 6 p.m.
September 6, 10 a.m.
October 2, 7 p.m.
November 9, 10 a.m.
December 4, 7 p.m.

Sometimes, patients may have “white-coat syndrome,” where nervousness or anxiety about seeing a healthcare provider can lead to an elevated blood pressure reading. A running log, kept at home in a familiar environment, provides very useful data about whether that is the case or not.

“In the Primary Care Center and Heart Center, we are seeing patients bring their three-week blood pressure logs in with them to appointments,” said Lauralee Sprague, NP. “That record gives providers a clearer picture of a patient’s blood pressure, not just at the time of their visit.”

All classes are held at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, patient education classroom (basement). The class is free for all Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Primary Care Center and Heart Center patients, but registration is required. Call (716) 592-9643.

Technology Upgrades and Access to Services Focus of $11.3 Million Award to BCH

Thank you Banner, GrantThe announcement of an $11.3 million New York State grant application by Bertrand Chaffee Hospital came on July 18. This award is the largest in Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s history.

“We’ve created a dynamic set of offerings with our inpatient and outpatient medical services,” said Teresa Donohue, CFO. “What we have aligns Bertrand Chaffee Hospital with the goal of New York State: to ensure that the healthcare system can meet the needs of current and future generations of New Yorkers.”

The hospital expects to begin investments in technology that will enhance access to advanced diagnostic capabilities before the end of the calendar year.

“The larger question is, what does this award mean for the future of healthcare in our community?” said BCH CEO Nils Gunnersen. “We took a strategic approach to design our application and outlined projects that are a direct, proactive response to community health needs.” He continued, “Improved access to healthcare leads to better health outcomes, and that’s our ultimate goal for our community. Keeping healthcare local is the essence of keeping our patients healthy.”

“BCH is a vital community resource, providing much-needed health service, and is a leading economic engine for our region,” said Gary Eppolito, president of the BCH board of directors. “With this award we can accelerate the progress we have made to improve health services for our neighbors.”
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will keep patients, employees and neighbors informed about progress at each phase through its web site. Input and feedback about our new building will be solicited from patients, employees, medical staff and the community.

This $11.3 million award was included in New York State’s announcement of $44.6 million in projects for Western New York, part of $491 million in investment statewide.

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Comments from local elected officials:

NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan: This funding will help ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high quality health care, especially individuals and families who live in rural communities. Investing in medical facilities and programs is something everyone can support in our ongoing effort to make New York a healthier place to live.

NYS Senator Catharine Young: I am thrilled that Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, which serves people in the northern region in my district, also will receive major state funding to upgrade and strengthen their services!

NYS Assemblyman David DiPietro: Keeping healthcare local is important to our rural communities. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is a great hospital with wonderful staff that cares for countless patients daily. I’ve worked hard in Albany to secure $11.3 million in grant funding so Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is able to purchase new imaging equipment, further primary and specialist services and build on information technology services. Investing in quality healthcare is important.

Cattaraugus County Legislator Richard Helmich: “This is truly tremendous in many ways. I am proud that Cattaraugus County Legislature stood up and wanted to be counted in the struggle. I’ll be glad to advocate for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital anytime.”

Town of Ashford Supervisor Charles Davis: Congratulations on your grant and if you ever need any support from the Ashford town board or myself do not hesitate to reach out.  The hospital is a vital part of our community and it’s here because of the hard work of people like you.

Village of Springville Mayor William Krebs: The Village of Springville is thrilled that Bertrand Chaffee Hospital received the Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Grant of $11.3 million.  The grant will fund the needed technology and site development to keep our community hospital competitive in regional health care. Congratulations and thanks to the leadership and staff of our Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.

Congratulations, Amber Kohn, RN

At its July meeting, the BCH Foundation gave a scholarship to Amber Kohn, RN, to apply to her educational expenses. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Alfred University, and is a nurse in the BCH emergency department. She previously worked on the medical-surgical floor at BCH as a registered nurse and in the ED as a nursing assistant.

The Elizabeth Dedrick Scholarship Fund is a way to support BCH and JBR employees as they pursue degrees and training, that they can then bring to their career in caring for patients and residents.

Congratulations, Amber!

Department Spotlight: Medical-Surgical Department

The inpatient care provided on Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s second floor forms the core of healthcare services in Springville. For recovery from a serious illness, ailment or injury, a stay at “the Gem on the Hill” is one service among many available at our community hospital.

The culture of a hospital stay has changed over the years. Weeks of recuperation in an inpatient setting used to be the norm. Today, there is an emphasis on recovering at home in consultation with one’s primary care provider.

A shift in inpatient stays at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has been the introduction of a hospitalist program. Hospitalists are physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who manage patient care during their time “on the floor.” They coordinate medications, tests, treatment, education and discharge as a team with respiratory therapists, physical therapists, a pharmacist, social worker and family members to aid patients as they heal. Add to that a first-class nursing team and BCH patients are in good and caring hands.

“Our nursing staff understands that no one looks forward to being in the hospital,” said Donelle Thomas, RN, medical-surgical nurse manager. “We want our patients and their families to be as comfortable as possible as they recover, and that they’re prepared to continue to heal and resume normal activities once they’re released.”

With support from the BCH Foundation and donors like the BCH Women’s Association, Cordelian Club and Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation, the hospital has invested in new inpatient beds, vital signs equipment and room renovations.

Welcoming Dr. Zahra

BCH Board members, Foundation board members, BCH Medical Staff and employees welcomed Dr. Mahmoud Zahra to the facility with a small reception on Thursday, July 20.

Dr. Zahra joins the Imaging Department as a radiologist.

Top: Dr. Zahra with Lisa Smith, Imaging Manager
Below: BCH Board of Directors President Gary Eppolito, Dr. Zahra, BCH CEO Nils Gunnersen