Garden Party to Support Acute Care Nurses’ Station

Annual BCH Foundation Event to Honor William King and the Cordelian Club

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation’s annual Garden Party is planned for Thursday, May 31 at the Springville Country Club. The foundation’s board is pleased to announce that the event will celebrate William King and the Cordelian Club for their many contributions to the hospital and nursing home. King is the BCH Foundation board president and a longtime board volunteer for the hospital and foundation. The Cordelian Club has supported the hospital through fundraising efforts for more than 70 years.

The foundation board will direct this year’s proceeds towards the renovation of the second floor nurses’ station.

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 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.

 

Nuclear Medicine Camera – Cutting the Ribbon!

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.

BCH Upgrades Nuclear Medicine Camera Equipment

Nuclear Medicine Camera in Springville at Bertrand Chaffee HospitalBertrand 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.

Erie County Department of Health Naloxone Use and Opioid Overdose Recognition Workshop

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.

Administrator Announced for the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home

Carole Francis

Carole Francis joins JBR as administrator

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home have announced that Carole Francis will join the leadership team as long term care administrator this month.

“I am looking forward to getting to know all of the care partners in the community, including residents, family members, employees and volunteers,” said Francis. “As the Jennie B.’s administrator, it is my responsibility to embrace a culture of person-centered care that ensures well-being and a life worth living.”

Francis earned a master of business administration from SUNY Buffalo with a concentration in accounting, and a bachelor of science in education from Buffalo State College. She is also a certified public accountant. Her background in nursing home administration, along with healthcare finance and human resources, has been developed in the long-term care environment. She has more than 30 years’ experience with managing budgets and establishing relationships with residents, families and employees.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Carole to our leadership team,” said Nils Gunnersen, CEO of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. “She brings a wealth of nursing home experience in addition to strong skill sets in the financial and administrative aspects of healthcare.”

Francis begins her work in Springville on January 8, 2018.

high-resolution image of Carole Francis

Soricelli Retires from JBR after 15 years

The Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home marked the end of an era on Friday, December 15 with the retirement of long-time administrator Roger Soricelli after 15 years.

Soricelli, a Java Center resident, has more than three decades’ experience in healthcare administration. He began his time at the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home in 2002 following roles in Batavia, Malone, Olean and Florida. He earned a bachelor of arts in economics at SUNY Fredonia, and a master of arts in administration and leadership at SUNY Plattsburgh.

As the landscape for skilled nursing and long-term care has evolved, Soricelli helped the Jennie B. move with it. An example of this was the development of a short-term rehabilitation program.

“My wife Margo and I have both had very satisfying careers,” Soricelli shared. “Now we are looking forward to spend a lot of time spoiling our grandchildren.”

An announcement regarding the new administrator for the Jennie B. will be made in early 2018.

High resolution image
From left: Tracy Rolfe, Activities, Kathy Paszkiewicz, Admissions, Roger Soricelli, Roberta Murray, RN, Director of Nursing, and Patricia Loveless, Administrative Assistant.