A St. Patrick’s Day Cordelian Dance to Remember

Community, Event

Thank you, Cordelian Club!

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.]

One-stop Healthcare at BCH

Community, ,

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.

BCH Upgrades Nuclear Medicine Camera Equipment

Announcement, Community, , , ,

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.

Cold Weather and Your Heart Health (American Heart Month)

Community, People,
#Teamchaffee for American Heart Month

#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.

  • Dress in layers: wearing layers of clothing provides much-needed insulation, and a waterproof outer layer will prevent the inner clothing from moisture. And don’t forget a hat! Cold winds can quickly sap your body’s heat and energy, placing undue stress on your heart. Hypothermia can happen, even in cold temperatures that are not extreme.
  • Take frequent breaks: you don’t need to clear your driveway of snow all at once, for example. Work slowly and carefully, using smaller shovel-fuls, and remember that pushing is easier on your heart than throwing.
  • Recognize the signs of a heart attack: The saying, time is muscle, describes how every minute matters during a heart attack. If you feel discomfort in your chest or upper body (arms, back, neck, jaw, stomach), that lasts for more than a few minutes, or is intermittent, that could be the sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, or any combination of those, could also mean that you need immediate medical attention. By calling 9-1-1, an emergency medical team can start intervention more quickly than if you tried to drive yourself to a hospital.
  • When working or travelling in the cold, watch for a lack of coordination, confusion, and drowsiness, particularly in the elderly.

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.

Volunteer Opportunity: Memory Impairment Caregivers

Community

Shared on behalf of SCENe, the Springville Concord Elder Care Network.

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? We need you! Memory Impairment Caregivers Need a Break one day per month (1st Wednesday of each month 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Located at the Springville First United Methodist Church.

A hot lunch, snacks and beverages are provided.

Having fun is the job! The Springville Respite Care Program is looking for more volunteers. Not available every month? That’s fine! Come when you can. We offer a break to caregivers of people with memory issues such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. The caregivers are able to enjoy a few hours to take time for themselves while we give 1 on 1 care for our memory impaired guests by having fun. We enjoy a morning snack, play games, make crafts, eat lunch, have conversations, enjoy music, and just have a good time. We are in need of more people to be buddies to our guests and also people who would like to provide a lunch and morning snack. If you are interested in volunteering or are a caregiver and would like more information about the program, please give us a call! Contact Barb Blesy at 716-­435-­5400 for more information.

Pioneer Radio Operators Society Licensing Class on Jan. 14

Community, Event

The Pioneer Radio Operators Society and Cattaraugus County, Amateur Radio Exam Team will host an extra licensing class on January 14, 2018.

This will be held at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, 224 E. Main St., Springville, NY. Classes start at 10 a.m. in the conference room. This is an free class and will run about 7 weeks.

Instructor Ray Feness K2RMF said that we will be using the “Now Your Talking” book by Gordon West for the study guides.

If interested in reserving a spot and a study guide, contact Gary KB2YAA ASAP so books can be ordered for the first class at (716) 592-9554 or kb2yaa@arrl.net

Sons of AMVETS Supports BCH Foundation With End-of-Year Gift

Community

Daniel Gallaway of the Sons of AMVETS Post 219 in Boston presented a donation to representatives from the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation on December 19. This gift will be put toward facility equipment needs in the new year.

We thank the squadron for its continued generosity. This gift is representative of the support that our hospital and nursing home receive from dedicated and thoughtful individuals who drive local civic organizations like Sons of AMVETS .

Sons of AMVETS is a nationwide service organization comprised of male descendants of American veterans. As part of the AMVETS family they are united in service and dedicated to improve quality of life, advocate legislation for increased benefits and care, provide and support charitable assistance to veterans, their families, and community.

From left: BCH Foundation Board Member Grover Riefler, Daniel Gallaway, BCH Foundation Board Secretary David Batterson, Sr., BCH Foundation Board Member Joel Maul.

Link to high resolution image.

Start 2018 with Freedom from Smoking

Announcement, Community

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital is offering the Freedom From Smoking program starting on Monday, January 15 and running weekly through February 26.

This program is designed for adult smokers and features step-by-step plans to help smokers gain control over their behavior. Cigarette smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals and can lead to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking is a behavior that negatively affects nearly every organ in the human body. It is also a cause of heart disease and stroke.

This program is taught by an American Lung Association-certified respiratory therapist. Each class runs from 6-7:30 p.m. and registration is required. The cost for the program is $80. Please call (716) 592-9643 for more information and to register.