Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Welcomes Dr. Salvatore Calandra

The Bertrand Chaffee Heart Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Salvatore Calandra will be joining the Heart Center in early May.

Dr. Salvatore Calandra, MD is a Board Certified Cardiologist who has been practicing in the WNY area for the last 28 years. He was a partner with the Cardiology Group of WNY for 26 years and Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab and Intervention for the Catholic Health System for 17 years. He presently is the Director of Cardiology for Mobile Healthcare Partners/Mobile Primary Care. Recently, he has joined the cardiology team at ECMC.

“We need to strive to educate individuals to be proactive in their cardiac and vascular health and to educate our patients to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke,” said Calandra. “Time is of the essence to get to a doctor or seek medical attention.”

“Dr. Calandra brings a wealth of experience to our Heart Center team,” said CEO Nils Gunnersen. “His focus on patient education and dedication to the heart health of our WNY community echoes the mission of BCH and keeping healthcare local.”

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Heart Center, located on the hospital’s first floor, provides a comprehensive array of clinical and diagnostic cardiac and vascular services, including outpatient consults, echo, regular and stress echo testing and pacemaker interrogation. For appointments, call (716) 592-9644.

Cordelian Club Gives Handmade Ornaments to JBR

The Cordelian Club presented a set of handmade ornaments to the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home in November to decorate its Christmas tree and lobby.

The Cordelian Club has a 80+ year history of supporting the hospital, and once it was built in 1974, the nursing home, through fundraisers and charitable projects such as this one. Thank you to this dedicated group of ladies for bringing holiday cheer to our residents and employees!

JBR Introduces New Nursing Team

The Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home has announced new additions to its nursing team as of November 2018.

Charlene Cole, RN of Sardinia has taken on the role of director of nursing. She has worked in intensive care, dialysis care, cardiac care and med-surgical settings. She will have responsibilities for managing nursing staff and coordinating resident care. She joined JBR as assistant director of nursing earlier this year.

Jessica Jayes of West Seneca will be the Jennie B.’s admissions and marketing coordinator. Jayes has a strong background in healthcare marketing, in addition to education in mental health and counseling. This new role will manage the nursing home’s outreach to healthcare facilities and will be a key part of the admissions process.

Brandie Boyd, RN of East Concord has joined JBR as assistant director of nursing. Boyd has experience in acute care and subacute rehabilitation nursing. She will work closely with Cole and JBR Administrator Carole Francis to coordinate nursing activities on the east and west wings.

“We’re excited to begin 2019 with this nursing team in place,” said JBR Administrator Carole Francis. “We’re moving ahead with a series of plans related to marketing and our clinical care that will continue our focus on resident comfort and quality of life.”

 

National Radiologic Technology Week


November 4-10 marks National Radiologic Technology Week, a time to recognize the dedicated professionals whose work in medical imaging and radiation therapy help in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

The BCH Imaging Department has activities planned to show appreciation for its staff throughout this week.

Springville Kiwanis and the Kiwanis Aktion Club Deliver Decorations for Halloween to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital

Margaret Chapman and Kelsey Clark (pictured) of the Springville Kiwanis presented an assortment of Halloween decorations for Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s acute care and emergency depa   rtment patients on October 23. These crafts were assembled by the Kiwanis Aktion Club, a service leadership program for adults with disabilities.

Internationally, there are more than 12,000 members. Each club is led by members and has programs and resources designed to help adults with disabilities get the most out of the experience.

There are adult volunteers and staff who support each club’s success at the local, regional and international levels. Chapman and Clark are volunteers with the local Aktion chapter, which draws from Eden, Gowanda, North Collins, Springville, Arcade, Cattaraugus, East Concord, Holland and Glenwood. Their group of 51 members put together these crafts as a service project to brighten the spirits of hospital patients during the Halloween season. For more information about the Kiwanis or its Aktion Club, please contact Margaret Chapman at pfc8488@gmail.com or (716-697-4631).

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Adds Dr. Witmer to Hospitalist Team

Dr. Elvin WitmerBertrand Chaffee Hospital is pleased to announce that Elvin Witmer, MD will be joining the BCH Medical Staff as a hospitalist, caring for patients in the acute care department.

Dr. Witmer has established a nearly 30-year career in medicine. He grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio, and earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University. His career took him across the country to 18 different states, gaining experience in emergency medicine, ambulatory care, sports medicine and hospitalist programs.

For the past dozen years he has worked in the hospitalist field with the Catholic Health System of Buffalo and at Mercy Hospital.

“Dr. Witmer brings a wealth of experience to our hospitalist team and will be a great asset to our medical program,” said CEO Nils Gunnersen. “We continue to build and strengthen our clinical services to improve the quality of care while keeping healthcare local.”

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Witmer to his new role and to our community.

BCH Adds Two Providers to Primary Care Center

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has added two new providers to its Primary Care Center in Springville. Daniel Karstedt, PA and Kenneth Dabolt, PA will start seeing patients this summer.

Daniel Karstedt, PA specializes in family medicine and earned his master’s degree from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Penn. Prior to attending school for his physician assistant training, he spent four years at Mercyhurst where he earned a bachelor’s of science in biology. Karstedt is originally from Eden and is a graduate of Eden Jr./Sr. High School. Throughout his clinical year, he gained experience in primary care and has a particular interest in dermatology and sports medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

“I hope to establish healthy long-term relationships with my patients. I am excited to provide accessible health care to those in our rural community as I grew up and reside in a small town and understand the importance of keeping health care close to home,” said Karstedt.  “I believe the close-knit community at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital will provide a very rewarding experience as a health care provider.”

Kenneth Dabolt is a resident of Sardinia and earned his physician assistant degree from Daemen College. His clinical rotations included ob/gyn, emergency medicine, dermatology, plastic surgery, general surgery and pediatrics. He is a member of the Western New York Physician Assistant Association and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

“I grew up in this area and I’m proud to be able to practice medicine in my hometown,” said Dabolt. “Primary care visits are an essential way for patients to maintain their good health, and I’m looking forward to contributing to better health outcomes in our region.”

CEO Nils Gunnersen noted that while many rural healthcare facilities are challenged in finding primary care providers, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital has been fortunate in that regard since opening its practice in 2010. “The talented physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners that we have recruited to Springville believe, as we do, in the value of rural healthcare.” The BCH Primary Care Center is accepting new patients and all major insurances. Call (716) 592-8140 for an appointment.