A Sleigh Full of Toys…

Community, People,

Representatives from the Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association delivered a sleigh full – or maybe car full – of toys and games to the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Emergency Department and Lab on December 15.

The association’s team was making the rounds this month to bring joy and smiles to children in the region. This included stops at Olean General Hospital, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.

Association members and their families collected toys, games and gas cards to assist community members during this time of year.

These gifts will be distributed to the hospital’s littlest patients and visitors, particularly as we continue through the holiday season.

From left: Michael Pidsadnick, RN, Lori Hudzinski, MD, Association Secretary/Treasurer Tom Benz of East Otto, Tina Brooks, LPN, Vice President Brad Hurley of Mansfield, Executive Board Member Diane Metz, President Robert Barber of Otto

Eagle Scout Builds Benches with Planters for JBR Entrance

Community,

Eagle Scout candidate Jonathan Smith installed benches at the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home just after Thanksgiving. With the help of Boy Scout Troop 524 and support from the Springville Kiwanis, American Legion Post 431 and the Lions Club of Springville, two L-shaped benches and one bench will be available in the front entrance to the Jennie B. for residents, their family members and JBR associates.

This effort went toward the completion of Smith’s Eagle Scout requirements as a “citizenship in the community” project.

Standing: Ethan Smith and Mike Fullington; seated, Daryl Smith, Liam Smith, Jonathan Smith and Robbie Smith. (Photo provided by Jonathan Smith).

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maurices of Springville Donates to BCH Mammography Program

Announcement

Representatives from maurices of Springville presented a donation to the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Imaging Department and BCH Foundation on November 20.

Store Manager Karen Baker and Assistant Manager Megan Slisz delivered a check to Lead Mammographer Judy Heary, which will go to the BCH Foundation. The gift is dedicated for use in promoting 3D mammography and encouraging women to get screened as recommended by their healthcare providers.

This donation came from maurices’ in-store activities throughout the month of October related to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Thank you to all of maurices staff and the volunteer work that made this support possible! We appreciate how local businesses can take on the challenge of supporting local healthcare and promoting community health!

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Annual Appeal Begins

Announcement

The annual appeal for the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation has begun! Letters will be sent out over the next two weeks. Our appeal this year is asking donors to reflect on the question, what does Bertrand Chaffee Hospital mean to you?

Share your story with us.

Here’s a look at what BCH meant to the community, from an article in the Springville Journal in the 1960s:

“Your hospital must meet the most unpredictable needs – it must continually be ready to serve and offer its services, and bring more roads to recovery, in an age that is filled with tremendous medical advances.”

Those words ring true today.

Your gift to our foundation funds equipment for the hospital and nursing home that helps your neighbors. Help us keep patients on their roads to recovery with a donation to our appeal before the end of the year.

Donate Now.

Melanye Deuble-Hankins, PA Joins BCH Primary Care Center

Announcement, People,

Melanye Deuble-Hankins will join the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Primary Care Center on Monday, November 27 as a physician assistant.
Deuble-Hankins has nearly two decades’ experience as an NCCPA-certified physician assistant, and has worked in cardiology and clinic settings. As a primary care provider at an occupational health clinic in Salamanca, she has also been in charge of emergency response for about 13 years.

“I am so happy to be joining the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital medical staff,” said Deuble-Hankins. “I am looking forward to greeting patients with a genuine smile, a willing ear, and sound judgement. I never forget what an honor and privilege is it, to be caring for you and your family!”

Deuble-Hankins began her career in the healthcare field as an ambulance attendant and flight medic with the STARFLIGHT program in Jamestown, New York. She moved into cardiology as a cardiac ultrasound technologist before earning a bachelor’s degree from D’Youville College. She has been a physician assistant in medical offices in Chautauqua County and Cattaraugus County, bringing extensive cardiology diagnostics training to the care she gives to her patients.

“Our primary care practice has been able to recruit patient-focused providers to our staff since opening in 2010,” said Nils Gunnersen, BCH CEO. “We’re excited to have Melanye join our team.”

The BCH Primary Care Center is scheduling patients with Deuble-Hankins immediately, and she will be accepting all major health insurances. For an appointment, call (716) 592-8140.

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Monthly Diabetes Support Group Schedule for 2018

Announcement

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will coordinate monthly diabetes support group meetings for Type I and Type II diabetics and their loved ones in 2018.

Interested individuals are invited to participate in this group to share recipes, coupons and information about topics related to diabetes and health in a supportive and welcoming environment. The group will meet at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital on the first Monday of each month from 6-7 p.m. A Certified Diabetes Educator will facilitate the group, and meetings are free of charge. This group is part of the BCH diabetic education program, which is accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

There will not be a meeting in January due to the New Year’s holiday. Topics starting in February include: February 5, Infections; March 5, What is Type 2 Diabetes?; April 2, Plate Method Diet; May 7, Kidney Disease; June 4, Carb Counting; July 2, Diabetes Bingo; August 6, Mediterranean Diet; September (closed for holiday); October 1, Asthma and Diabetes; November 5, Diabetes Distress; December 3, New Year, New You.

For more information, call (716) 592-9643. Meetings will be canceled when Springville-Griffith Institute schools are closed for a snow day.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s event calendar is published on Google Calendar.

National Rural Health Day

Community

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has established itself as a rural health provider for more than 70 years. The care we provide is a testament to the power of rural communities.

November 16 was designated National Rural Health Day. Leading up to this date, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is pleased to announce that the Village of Springville, Town of Concord and Town of Sardinia boards each passed resolutions in support of National Rural Health Day.

Key elements from the resolution:

  • Rural communities in New York and throughout the United States are wonderful places to live and work – they are places where people know each other, listen to/respect each other and work together to benefit the community.
  • Rural America is the economic engine that helped the United States become the world leader it is today.
  • Rural citizens possess a selfless, creative, community-minded spirit.
  • Meeting the unique healthcare needs of those citizens is constantly evolving, as rural communities face accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens.
  • Ambulatory and emergency medical services are especially critical in rural America, where 20 percent of the nation’s population lives but nearly 60 percent of all trauma deaths occur.
  • Rural hospitals – in addition to being sources of innovation and resourcefulness that reach beyond geographical boundaries to deliver quality care – are also typically the economic foundation of their communities, with every dollar spent generating about $2.20 for the local economy.
  • Being a rural healthcare provider provides tremendous opportunities to offer more comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered and holistic care to patients.

 

#powerofrural