Marion Igel: 20 Years as a BCH Volunteer

People, , ,

For a woman like Marion Igel of Boston, volunteering is seen in terms of a commitment to a job. She started as a transport volunteer at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and its Physical Therapy Department on June 18, 1997. And at the end of this June, twenty years later, Igel has kept that commitment to the patients of BCH.

After retiring from the banking industry and roles at the “Big E” (Erie County Savings Bank), Igel looked for a way to fill her time. Her second-oldest sister was volunteer at Our Lady of Victory, and later at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. Igel lived in Boston, she wanted to find something closer to home.  She called Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, and was soon connected with the PT department. Her assignment: for one day a week, spend six hours transporting patients to physical therapy appointments from the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home and the medical-surgical floor of BCH.

“It’s the people that have kept me volunteering all these years,” explained Igel. “I grew attached, especially to some of the residents at the Jennie B.”

Igel continued, “Volunteering and helping people made me feel good, and I made great friends along the way.”

Mary Lou Wright, director of the Physical Therapy Department, explained, “Marion has put in miles of walking over the years, transporting patients and running interdepartmental errands.” Wright added, “Volunteers can ‘walk away’ at any time…Marion chose to stay, and we have been very fortunate to have her as part of our team, and to know and love her as part of our family.”

Igel has a son in Texas and a daughter who lives just a few minutes away in Boston (NY), with five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She said that she would tell future volunteers at BCH about the empathy involved in being a hospital volunteer: “Be devoted and learn to associate yourself with the patients…one day you could be in that position.”

 

Department Spotlight: Emergency Department

People,

The people who work in the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Emergency Department have the distinction of being able to say that they are part of one of the most valuable teams in our community.

As a registered nurse and nurse manager for the department, Penny Gardner, RN says that the reliability of emergency care at BCH is stronger than ever. “It’s the only place that is open every minute of every day, and we never turn anyone away,” she explained.

Just as there is no such thing as a typical day in the ED, there is no typical patient either. “Every day is completely different,” said Gardner. “But every day we come to work we know we are going to be able to help our neighbors.”

Most people don’t realize the length and depth of experience that BCH ED nurses have. Just five of the 23 nurses have a total of 130 years of nursing experience at BCH. Some have decades’ more experience at other facilities. “I am astonished by the commitment these nurses have shown throughout their career,” explained Gardner. “We are lucky to have that kind of allegiance in this small community.”

Emergency care at BCH includes the nursing staff and providers who cover the ED 24 hours a day. That doesn’t count the lab techs and imaging personnel who are ready to perform immediate tests, and the registration clerks, hospitalists and medical-surgical nurses available to admit patients.

It also doesn’t include the air medical transport crews from Mercy Flight, who can rapidly transfer patients to a higher level of care once stabilized at BCH. The ED’s connection with Mercy Flight stretches back more than 35 years. It became even more powerful with the construction of a helicopter hangar and ground transport base for Mercy EMS in 2016.

Healthcare professionals who gravitate toward emergency medicine are usually people who want to be on the frontline, ready and willing to take care of whatever comes through that door. “Emergency medicine means having the ability to take care of a severely injured patient and the family member at the bedside,” Gardner continued. “And then minutes later, we walk into another room with our entire focus on that next patient; we are truly a special breed.”

 

BCH Women’s Association Installation Dinner

Community, People,
BCH Women's Association Officers 2017-18

BCH Women’s Association Officers 2017-18

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Women’s Association held its annual installation dinner on June 7 at the Apple Dumplin in Springville. Members capped off a year of fundraising and activities with a donation to the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation to support the purchase of a vein viewer for the Emergency Department.

This continues the strong tradition of the BCH Women’s Association in supporting clinical equipment purchases and building improvements at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home. Jennifer Siragusa, RN, director of patient care services, accepted the gift on behalf of the hospital and foundation.

From left: BCH Women’s Association Officers 2017-18: Secretary Diane Fleckenstein, Vice President Lori Beeman, President Karen Ritenour, Vice President Lisa Yaeger and Treasurer Beth Bolt

 

Thanks to Garden Party Supporters

Announcement, ,

A warm and welcome thank you to everyone who participated in the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation’s fifth annual Garden Party on May 25.

Our celebration of the career of Darlene Schrantz, RN and the life of William McMahon, MD was made possible by a friendly and loving crowd, some of whom were able to share remarks about their work with these two tremendous healthcare professionals.

Peony sponsors included Stansberry and Knight Physician Assistants and the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Medical Staff. Iris sponsors were Arcade-Springville Dental Arts Group, Nils and Erika Gunnersen, Mercy Flight/Mercy EMS, Craig and Tanya Helms, ACM Global Laboratories and Voya Financial. Rose sponsors: 2121 Main Street Pharmacy, Eaton Office Supply, Fiddler’s Green Manor, Freed Maxick CPAs, Julie’s Pizzeria, Fred and Darlene Schrantz, Roger and Margo Soricelli, Springville Door and Window and STC Construction. Ivy sponsors: AllPro Parking, Kelly O’Neal Adams, Patrick Hurley, MD and Susan Fischbeck, MD, Grover and Elizabeth Riefler, and WNY Imaging.

We are grateful for the entertainment provided by the Springville Jazz Orchestra and its conductor, William Cocca, and for the wine tasting station donated by Empire Merchants North.

Proceeds from this event will go toward the purchase of a transesophageal echocardiogram for the BCH Heart Center. Cardiologist Dr. Thomas Smith was kind enough to describe the benefits and need for this equipment to assembled guests.

Thank you for the support for our foundation and our “Gem on the Hill” from the hospital and nursing home employees, medical staff, board of directors and most importantly our community.

Mary Kwiatek
Vice President, BCH Foundation Board of Directors

Blood Pressure Class for BCH Primary Care Patients

Community

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Education Department will be holding a FREE high blood pressure class for our BCH primary care patients.

Participants will get a FREE self-monitoring blood pressure cuff and blood pressure journal. This class will be held on June 24 at 10 a.m. and offered a second time on July 24 at 6 p.m.

This class is available free due to a grant from the Erie County P2 Collaborative. Any BCH Primary Care patient with hypertension (high blood pressure) or pre-hypertension is welcome to attend. Participants will be required to meet with the education nurse for 15 minutes in three months to review the journal entries and the BP readings will be shared with their BCH Primary Care Center provider. To register for the free class and BP cuff call (716) 592-9643.

Department Spotlight: Primary Care Center

People

The word “primary” means “of chief importance.” It’s no surprise that primary care is at the center of the healthcare system. The preventive care provided by this service is key to achieving and maintaining good health.

Rural communities do not always have access to family practice and internal medicine. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital established its Primary Care Center in 2010 to respond to community need for primary care services. Four physicians, three physician assistants, two nurse practitioners, nurses and staff are part of a team that welcome patients of all ages.

“Primary care is the first line of care for most patients’ health needs,” said Dr. Wnuk. “We work with individuals and their families to manage health conditions and improve quality of life.” Dr. William Wnuk joined the practice in 2015. BCH has recruited medical professionals to expand access to essential medical services. That includes primary care, but also related specialty services like general surgery and cardiology.

“I would describe our Primary Care Center as interactive and patient-oriented,” said Kim Bockhahn, LPN. “We do our best to serve patients and their needs, from scheduling appointments and managing prescriptions to referring to specialists as necessary.”

Twenty-seven employees work in the Primary Care Center. Even more individuals provide support behind the scenes in medical records and coding, and billing. From the front desk to the back office, the PCC team focuses on high quality care in a comfortable setting with compassionate staff.

The BCH Primary Care Center accepts new patients and all major insurances. Call for an appointment at (716) 592-8140.

BCH Foundation’s May 2017 Meeting

Announcement, ,

The Bertrand Chaffee Hospital Foundation met on May 1 for its quarterly meeting. The foundation board re-elected its officers: President William King of West Valley; Vice President Mary Kwiatek of Springville; Secretary David Batterson of Springville; and Treasurer Claudia Miller of Arcade. The group re-appointed four members to three-year terms: Batterson, Kwiatek, Grover Riefler and Stanley Handzlik. And, Brandon Frank and Kathleen Paszkiewicz were re-appointed as employee representatives from BCH and the Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home, respectively.

The board reviewed activity from donors and supporters for the first four months of 2017. The group agreed to put funding towards equipment purchases for the Surgical Center and acute care (second) floor. In addition to an anesthesia machine for surgical cases, the foundation will fund a new inpatient bed, upgraded vital signs equipment and technology equipment for nursing staff. The new inpatient bed is made possible from a gift to the BCH Foundation from the Springville-Griffith Community Education Foundation.

The board looked ahead to its Garden Party, on May 25, where it will celebrate the career of Darlene Schrantz, RN and honor the memory of Dr. William McMahon. Funds raised on May 25 will benefit the BCH Heart Center. More information is available by calling Kara Kane at (716) 592-2871 ext. 1485.

Letter to Community from BCH Women’s Association

Announcement, Community,

On behalf of the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital (BCH) Women’s Association, I would like to thank all the residents of Springville and the surrounding communities that supported the Theme Basket Auction on Saturday, April 22 at the Concord Town Hall. There were over 200 baskets/gift cards at the auction. All the money raised will be donated to the hospital for specific needs of the facility.  A BIG thank you to the following businesses and individuals for their generous donation and their commitment in supporting the Theme Basket Auction event:

Amy E. Schmitt-Kingston, Anything Printed, Apple Dumplin, Auto Zone, Buckwheats, Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres, Burger King, Carolsel, Carpet World, Cascade Hair, Cascade Lanes, Cascade Massage, Cattaraugus County Bank, Cheap Chollies, Cindy Lou’s Frozen Yogurt , Community Bank, Concord Amish Village, Concord Crest, Concord Veterinary Center, Dave Miller Compost & Mulch, Dave Wendel & Sons, Delocon Wholesale Inc., Don Chelle Salon & Spa, Dr. Scott Nachbar, Dye Insurance Agency, Emerling Ford Mercury, Formula 1 Automotive, Gernatt Asphalt Products Inc., Hope Louth, Jake’s Greenhouse, John Sixt & Sons, Joylan Theater, Julie’s Pizzeria, Ken’s Taxidermy, Kiril’s Restaurant, Kissing Bridge, Lulu Belle’s, Main Street Pizzeria & Café, Mark’s Country Store, Mary’s Fireside, maurices, Mc Donald’s, Michele Sundeen, Nature’s Remedy, Root 39, Sears of Springville, Shamel Milling, S & N Eileen’s, S & S Taxidermy, Shear Brilliance, Software Inventors, Southern Tire Auto Center, Spring Creek Athletic Club, Spring Valley Landscaping, Springville Animal Hospital, Springville Dental Arts, Springville Door &Window, Springville Eye Care LLC, Springville Health & Fitness, Springville Homewear, Springville Lanes, Subway, Tim & Bonnie’s Pizza, Tops- Springville, Tractor Supply Co., Village Antique & Optical, Waterman’s Greenhouse, Wendel’s, Wendel’s Maple & More, White’s Appliance, Wireless Zone, and Witter Davis Furniture.

Karen Ritenour, President of the BCH Women’s Association

Opioid Overdose Recognition and Naloxone Use Training: Letter to the Editor

Community, ,

The members of the Springville Regional Services Coalition would like to thank Cheryll Moore and the Erie County Department of Health for coming to Springville Middle School on April 19 and giving a comprehensive training on opioid overdose recognition and naloxone use. She presented an eye-opening session that demonstrated the increase in overdoses and deaths caused by overdoses in our county, the importance of addressing this as a public health issue.
Ms. Moore has taught more than 15,000 people how to use this lifesaving medication and we are grateful that she has been able to train several hundred people in our community on its use.

Several times during the workshop, Ms. Moore thanked the participants for “taking care of (their) community.” Thank you, Cheryll, for your work to end the opiate epidemic.

This workshop was one of several substance abuse initiatives that our coalition is working on. We coordinated a similar event in September 2016, and it is our group’s plan to offer trainings likes this on a regular basis. The SRSC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Springville Village Court conference room. All are welcome.

The Erie County Department of Health and the Opiate Epidemic Task Force have print materials available on their web site (www.erie.gov/health) and the Crisis Services Addictions Hotline is available 24 hours a day: (716) 831-7007. Call that number for support and referrals to treatment.

Sincerely,
Members of the Springville Regional Services Coalition

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 29

Community, Event

Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville has been designated as a drop-off site for unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is one of several sites throughout Western New York. Law enforcement representatives will be on hand along with volunteer pharmacists, no questions asked.

Last October, Americans turned in 366 tons (over 730,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,000 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 12 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 7.1 million pounds—more than 3,500 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

With the growing nationwide concern about abuse of prescription medications, these drop-off events serve as a reminder for individuals and families to look through their cabinets and properly dispose of medications. This program keeps pharmaceuticals out of the water supply and away from children. Call 1-800-882-9539 or visit dea.gov for a full list of drop off sites on April 29.

Permanent drug disposal boxes continue to be available throughout Erie County, including at the Erie County Sheriff’s substation at 65 Franklin Street in the village of Springville.