JBR Introduces New Nursing Team

People

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

People


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.

Healthy Eating: Tailgate Edition

Event

Dietitian Kyle Schwan and Certified Diabetic Educator Kathleen Hebdon, RN from Bertrand Chaffee Hospital presented to a group at the Concord Senior Center about healthy eating with a tailgate theme for fall on Wednesday, October 24.

The group was able to sample from cauliflower “chicken” wings, potato skins and a veggie tray, all prepared with healthy portions and healthier ingredients in mind.

Tips from the presentation included:

  • Use a mix of 50/50 ground beef and ground turkey instead of all beef. Turkey is a leaner meat.
  • Instead of sausage, try grilled chicken or bean burgers, and instead of a large roll, substitute smaller slider-size rolls for variety.
  • Dips can be made from yogurt, low-fat sour cream, cottage cheese, hummus and even creamy tofu.
  • Try whole grain options for chips and breads.
  • Arrange fruit and vegetables into colorful and creative arrangements.

Interest for another, similar event was strong, so look for information about future presentations in 2019.

Erie County – Powerful Tools for Caregivers Program

Community, Event

Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PDF) is a six-week educational program designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

You will learn to:

  • Reduce stress
  • Improve self-confidence
  • Better communicate your feelings
  • Balance your life
  • Increase your ability to make tough decisions
  • Locate helpful resources

The program consists of six, 2 ½ hour class sessions held weekly. Pre-registration is required.

Additional classes are being scheduled. For more information, or to register, contact:

Erie County Department of Senior Services at (716) 858-8526 or e-mail: caregiver@erie.gov

Date:       Tuesday Afternoons

November 6th – December 11th 2018

Time:        1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Location:  Love Inc. Office

62 E. Main St., Springville, NY 14141

Cost:        $25.00*         (includes a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook)

*Full course cost is covered for Independent Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY members.

Class listing is also on our website at: www2.erie.gov/seniorservices

Co-sponsored by The University at Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions and the Erie County Caregiver Coalition.

 

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

Community, People

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).

National Physical Therapy Month for BCH and JBR in October

Announcement

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Physical Therapy Department has seen some changes this year. The retirement of Mary Lou Wright after 43 years shifted former assistant manager Emily King into the lead role in April 2018.

By June, Jessica Judware joined the PT team to fill the assistant director position. That solidified the four-person group that guides inpatients and outpatients through physical therapy evaluations and treatments. Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Sherry Stevens and Administrative Assistant Ronalyn Kassel work side by side with King and Judware to work with patients to build their strength, dexterity, balance and in some cases, speed.

Physical therapy patients are a varied bunch. Some make one visit to PT, others are seen for a much longer time period. Regardless of the ailment or injury, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital’s Physical Therapy Department is prepared to handle strains, pains, recoveries from surgeries and illness, balance issues and more.

“Many patients and providers don’t realize that vestibular therapy is within a physical therapist’s scope of practice,” said King. “That means we can work with patients to abate dizziness, sometimes in just one or two treatments.”

At the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home, another team of four works as part of an interdisciplinary team to coordinate an effective rehabilitation program. This program, unlike others in the region, offers services seven days a week. The goal for JBR: help patients and residents achieve their goals and return safely to the community.

“Our team provides a bridge from hospital to home,” said Troy Flanagan, director. “We play a very important role in restoring function, maintaining function and preventing declines to allow client to be able to function at a maximum practicable level, which carries over to improving quality of life.”

Physical Therapists at JBR include Flanagan, Assistant Director Mary Kate Bockhahn, Nancy Stang and Danielle Krotz.

“It is rewarding to see the smile on patients’ faces when they meet their goals and return home or do something they never thought they could do again,” Flanagan continued. “We have an impact on their life.”

October is National Physical Therapy Month, recognizing the important role that PT plays in relieving pain, increasing mobility and improving quality of life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is a quickly growing field, with about 240,000 PT positions in the United States. We are fortunate to have eight of them here at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home.

 

maurices of Springville Basket Raffle

Community, Event

The employees at maurices of Springville coordinated a basket raffle to support the BCH Foundation and our mammography services as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Baskets are on display in the BCH lobby until Friday, October 26 around noon. The drawing will take place at maurices on October 29 after 5 p.m.

In addition to the baskets on display, MRC Disposal of Springville has offered local delivery of a 10-foot dumpster (value, $350). Those blue tickets are $10 each. All other baskets are $2 for 3 tickets or $5 for 10 tickets. Purchase at the BCH front desk.

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Adds Dr. Witmer to Hospitalist Team

People

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.