Friends and supporters came to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital as staff, providers, board members and elected officials helped to cut the ribbon for the nuclear medicine camera. This piece of equipment was replaced with an upgraded model in March thanks to funding from the New York State Department of Health and a grant from the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation.
This was received through our Direct Line to the CEO in March about our Primary Care Center:
“I want to say that Lauralee Sprague is a professional, caring person with whom I am most comfortable having my mother in her care. I am impressed with her and feel that she deserves an accolade. I wish to thank her for being who she is.” – T.
#teamchaffee
From HealthyInteractions.com…One in three American adults is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to complications like kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, blindness, and amputations. But type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be permanent—it can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle modifications. The first step is learning your risk.
That’s why this year Healthy Interactions is participating in American Diabetes Association Alert Day®. On March 27, we encourage you to take and or share a simple and anonymous one-minute test to find out if you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. You’ll answer questions such as, “Do you have a family history of diabetes?” and “Are you physically active?” to learn your diabetes risk in 60 seconds. It’s that simple.
The Cordelian Club coordinated another incredible dance on March 17 to benefit Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.
This group turned the Springville Volunteer Fire Hall into a dance floor and party space awash in green lights and St. Patrick’s Day-themed decorations for a fun-filled night.
Food and snacks were catered in part by the Apple Dumplin’ Restaurant. Music by Tailor Made DJ and a photo booth by Smile and Share It added to the fun. Whether it was the Dropkick Murphys or Young MC on the sound system, guests were dancing and singing along to the music all night. A basket raffle with premier items also got heavy attention throughout the evening.
[If you have a raffle ticket stub that ends in 0-2-7, please contact Kara at (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.]
It’s Wednesday – auction day – in Springville, but Jane W.* has other plans. Starting at 10 a.m., Jane pulls up to the front entrance and uses the valet service to park her car for the day. Jane has used a cane to get around for a few years, and the convenience of the valet is one reason she doesn’t mind her regular visits to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital.
After visiting the registration department to sign in for lab work and imaging tests, Jane heads down the hall to the lab for a series of blood tests recommended by her oncologist. She’ll be seeing her primary care provider later in the day, and the results will be sent to both physicians.
Jane ventures further down the hall towards the Imaging Department. Her oncologist also recommended a chest x-ray, and she will spend the next half-hour with that procedure. Though her specialist is located in the Amherst, Jane has been able to do a surprising amount of the tests, surgical preparation and follow-up at her local hospital. The long trips north have been limited to the cancer surgery itself and in-office consultations with the specialist team.
It’s lunchtime now, and Jane gives her daughter – who works at BCH – a quick call to see if she can take a break. She can, and they eat sandwiches and soup from the coffee shop at the comfortable tables in the lobby.
But Jane is barely halfway through her day at BCH. With some time to spare before her afternoon appointment for a mammogram with the hospital’s new state-of-the-art 3D mammography service, Jane makes her way over to the Jennie B. Her own mother, Gloria, has been a resident at JBR for several years following an injury that required major surgery. Both have lived in Springville all their lives, and for Gloria to remain in her home community for nursing care has been a blessing for her family.
A few minutes before her mammogram, Jane walks back across the campus back to the Imaging Department. After an uneventful mammogram, Jane grabs a cup of coffee at the coffee shop to take her through the rest of the afternoon, placing it in her walker for the ride up the elevator to primary care.
Her appointment at the Primary Care Center with Dr. Heidelberger is one of the last of the afternoon. He reviews the results of her lab work from the morning, before having a discussion about her health conditions and talking through her continuing treatment plan with her oncologist. He makes recommendations for what to do before her next visit in three months.
If ever there were an example of keeping healthcare local, Jane has made it. She has been able to use the hospital’s robust outpatient services and Primary Care Center, and also take comfort that her elderly mother is well cared for at the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.
This is based on an experience of a patient at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Names and some details are changed, and this story is used with permission.
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has upgraded its nuclear medicine camera equipment as of March with support from the New York State Department of Health and its Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program.
“This state-of-the-art camera has the ability to perform diagnostic and heart/cardiac studies,” said Lisa Smith, Imaging Department Manager. “This machine has a faster scan time and higher resolution than our previous camera.”
She continued, “This equipment is up and running after an intensive three-month effort, and we thank the community for its patience as we transitioned to this new system.”
“The imaging projects within our grant are a key part of our strategy to offer local health services that are vital to our rural population,” said Nils Gunnersen, CEO. “We appreciate that the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation provided funding towards this project as well.”
Studies available with this nuclear medicine camera include: scans of bone, lung, spleen, thyroid, liver, brain, and breast; scans for GI bleeding and gastric emptying; a white blood cell extremity scan; and, cardiac stress and cardiac non-stress scans.
Nuclear medicine exams will be available weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Please call the BCH Heart Center for appointments at (716) 592-9644.
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Springville Regional Services Coalition have coordinated another workshop on opioid overdose recognition and naloxone (Narcan) use on Wednesday, April 11 from 7-9 p.m.
The workshop will be held at the Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive off Waverly, in Springville.
Registration is required at http://www.ecdoh-apr11.eventbrite.com/ for this free event, or call (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485. Attendees who are over the age of 16 will receive free naloxone (nasal spray) kits.
Honorees Include William King and the Cordelian ClubThe Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation’s annual Garden Party is planned for Thursday, May 31 at the Springville Country Club. At its January meeting, the foundation board chose to recognize William King and the Cordelian Club for their many contributions to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.
William King is the current president of the foundation board, and has been a vocal advocate for the hospital as a board member and foundation board member for decades. He spent his career as an electrician contractor throughout Western New York and was the long-time supervisor for the Town of Ashford.
The Cordelian Club – as the first group to be acknowledged with this event – dates back to 1937. Its fundraising efforts, primarily done through their annual dance, have contributed to countless expansion projects, equipment purchases and building improvements over the past seven decades.
Proceeds from this event will be put toward the renovation of the second floor nurses station, covering the acute care services.
The Garden Party starts at 5 p.m. and concludes by 8 p.m. The Springville Jazz Orchestra and Nick Kody & Lydia Herren will provide the musical entertainment. Tickets are $50/person or $80/couple available from the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital front desk or by contacting Kara Kane at kkane@bch-jbr.org or (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Tickets are $50 each or $80 per couple and are available at the BCH reception desk. For information and sponsorship opportunities, call the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation at (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485 or email Kara Kane at kkane@bch-jbr.org.
#Teamchaffee for American Heart Month
There’s no question that this winter has had more than its share of cold weather. Not just cold – bitter, bone-chilling days and nights that can literally take your breath away. As we look ahead on the calendar to longer days and warmer temperatures, the Heart Center team of Thomas Smith, MD, FACC and Lauralee Sprague, NP has some guidance and advice for protecting your heart in the winter months.
Some studies have shown that extremes in temperature – heat and cold – can lead to very negative health events affecting your heart. With foresight and smart planning, you can take steps to protect your most important muscle during the winter season.
For individuals who have been diagnosed with heart or vascular conditions, speak to your healthcare provider or cardiologist about protecting your heart through all seasons. Call the BCH Heart Center for an appointment at (716) 592-9644.
Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, February 8 in front of the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.
Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or (716) 592-2871 ext 1221 to schedule an appointment between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.