Administrator Announced for the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home

Announcement, People,
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

Announcement, People

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.

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

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.

high resolution image

Hebdon Named “Rising Star” at AADE

People

Kathleen Hebdon Rising Star AADESpringville resident Kathleen Hebdon, RN received one of two “Rising Star” Awards from the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) at its August meeting. She was recognized as a diabetes educator who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in her practice.

Hebdon leads the diabetes education efforts at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, which has a program that is accredited by the AADE. She became a certified diabetes educator, and established an AADE chapter in Buffalo, the fourth chapter in New York State and the only one west of Albany. Hebdon was also named a president-elect of the New York State AADE board of directors. Her four-year term will begin in 2018.

There are more than 800 diabetes educators in the NYS AADE organization. The mission of AADE is to empower diabetes educators to expand the horizons of innovative education, management and support to provide optimal health and quality of life for persons with, affected by or at risk for diabetes and chronic conditions.

Kathleen Hebdon, RN and Nancy D’Hondt, RPh, President of the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

“You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone…”

Community, People

The following was sent to local newspapers and shared with Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. 

There’s the saying, “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” that I think about from time to time when I remember Tri-County Memorial Hospital in Gowanda.

I was a registered nurse at Tri-County when the village flooded and the hospital closed. I then became a full-time employee at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital before taking another registered nurse position in Gowanda. I remain a per-diem nurse in the BCH emergency department. From where I sit, I have a good view as to the value of local hospitals, both in terms of keeping people healthy and making for a thriving area.

The loss of Tri-County Hospital ripped a hole in our community. Jobs were lost and healthcare services were diminished. There’s a gap that may be filled, but the scars will remain for a long time. Sadly, that’s a scenario that has played out at other rural hospitals across the country.

In contrast, BCH has created a healthcare facility that not only offers vital and needed services, it is a hospital that has withstood the test of time. That hospital’s future, with the multimillion dollar state funding award and investment in primary care and technology, is assured.

As I look to my east toward Springville, I have a message for the people of Springville and the leadership at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital: keep doing what you’re doing. Your growth has been steady and your services have kept up with community needs. I am glad to know that your hospital is there for me and for my neighbors.

 

Sincerely,

 

Katie Pawlak, RN
Gowanda

 

“Fall into Health” in Arcade

Community, Event, People, , ,

Educational, inspirational and hopeful are three words to describe the “Fall into Health” event at the Arcade VFW on October 19.

Representatives from Bertrand Chaffee Hospital joined Arcade residents and a nurse from the Livingston & Wyoming County Cancer Services program for an evening highlighting the importance of health screenings and the strength of women who have fought and who are fighting cancer.

Rural healthcare was also featured, with ideas about access and services being discussed, particularly around 3D Mammography and support for chronic conditions.

One incredible fact: when combining the number of years of experience in healthcare among the speakers, which included CFO Teresa Donohue, Imaging Manager Lisa Smith, Board and Foundation Board Member Claudia Miller, Patient and Family Services Manager Renna Thaine, RN, and others, the total was well over 100 years.

Thank you to this amazing group for sharing their stories, demonstrating their resilience, and caring about their community in such a positive and inspirational way.

Another event for the spring is in its earliest planning stages.

3D Mammography – Ready for Patients

Event, People, ,

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital had a fantastic turnout for its Ribbon Cutting event on October 6 for 3D Mammography!

Special thanks to our board members and foundation board members who were in attendance!

We welcomed Assemblyman David DiPietro, Erie County, NY Legislator John Mills, Cattaraugus County Legislator Richard Helmich, Town of Concord Supervisor and BCH Board Chair Gary Eppolito, Town of Ashford Supervisor Charles Davis, Village of Springville Mayor William Krebs, and representatives from NYS Senator Patrick Gallivan’s office. 


Radiologist Anne Ehrlich, MD educated the many guests about the advantages of digital tomosynthesis and how thrilling it was to have this and other new technologies available at BCH.

This was the first of several events we will have to mark projects funded through the New York State Department of Health and its Statewide Healthcare Facility Transformation Program.

Thank you also to the Springville Area Chamber of Commerce, BCH and JBR staff who wore pink today, and our many friends in the community who inspire us to keep healthcare local! And also, the Cancer Services Program of Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties, which sent material and flyers to promote their important public health work.

And an extra special thanks to our Imaging Department. #teamchaffee

Dr. Wnuk: “A tradition of quality healthcare that will extend far into the future…”

Community, People,

William Wnuk, MD sent the following letter to local newspapers in regards to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s award through the New York State Department of Health.

 

To the Editor:

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s recent award of $11.3 million from New York State’s Department of Health represents a significant investment of taxpayer dollars in our community. For the medical staff of our facility, it represents something else. That is, that our progress and plans have been recognized as meaningful and worthy of funding.

Health outcomes for individual patients and community at large are a priority for us as medical practitioners. This award will reinforce the work that we are doing to develop primary care, specialist practices and imaging services at our campus.

The direction of healthcare has been leading towards an emphasis on preventive care. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital stepped out on that path in 2010 with the introduction of primary care services. With providers caring for hundreds of patients each week, we are committed to continuing our significant role in the region’s health initiatives.

We’ve introduced a new phrase at the hospital and nursing home: #teamchaffee. It represents that we are all here, working together, to make sure the health of our patients is maintained and improved. As rural facilities like ours continue to face challenges, our efforts are being encouraged – not just by New York State, but by our patients and our community.

Thank you for being a part of a tradition of quality healthcare that will extend far into the future.

William Wnuk, MD
President, BCH Medical Staff
Medical Director and Physician, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Primary Care Center