News

In February, CCHN staff attended the NRHA meeting in Washington, DC as part of the New York delegation of the New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH). As co-chair of the NYSARH Legislative Committee, Ann Morse Abdella met with staff from Senators Schumer and Gillebrand's offices as well as Representatives Gibson, Maffei, Owens and Reed. Topics discussed included the potential impacts of sequestration on NYS Rural Hospitals, preservation of designations for Critical Access, Medicare Dependent, and Low Volume Hospitals, as well as Health Professional Shortage Areas, wage index reform, and the National Health Service Corps.  During the meeting, NRHA celebrated both Senator Schumer and his staff, as well as Congressman Tom Reed for their efforts to sponsor theRural Hospital Access Act of 2012 to protect rural hospitals.

Medical students met with local physicians over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the White Inn in Fredonia on December 19th to explore career opportunities in Chautauqua County. Physicians attending included: Dr.  Ellen Fitzgerald-Farkus, Ophthalmologist; Dr. Bill Ehrman, Anesthesiologist; Dr.  Jim Fitzgerald, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Jim Scarpino, Dentist; Dr. Tim Brown, Surgeon, Dr. Jay Bishop, Primary Care, Dr. Patrick Collins, Primary Care.; and Dr. Bert Rappole, WCA Medical Education Director and retired Surgeon. 

The next mixer is slated for June. Date and location will be announced this spring. 

CCHN is proud to report that during 2012, thirty-six local physicians received recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)’s Diabetes Recognition Program (DPR). NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality through the accreditation, certification and recognition of a wide range of health care organizations.  NCQA’s DRP is a voluntary program which identifies clinicians who have met standards demonstrating delivery of high-quality care to patients with diabetes. Clinicians who achieve DRP Recognition show their peers, patients and others in the Diabetes community that they are part of an elite group that is publicly recognized for its skills. Click the article title to see a list of the 35 physicians receiving this recognition who are still practicing in Chautauqua County.

IDS staff has completed work with Family Health Medical Services, Medicor Associates of Chautauqua, Jamestown Primary Care, Tri County Family Medicine and The Resource Center on their NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) initiatives. This is an innovative program for improving primary care. In a set of standards that describe clear and specific criteria, the program gives practices information about organizing care around patients, working in teams and coordinating and tracking care over time. Each of these local practices have achieved Level 3 PCMH status. Two additional IDA practices including Jamestown Pediatrics and Westfield Family Physicians have also previously received this recognition. We would like to thank the staff in these practices for their hard work and willingness to embark on such a meaningful project. Please contact Mike Pease, Program Manager, if we can assist your practice in your pursuit of PCMH.

Lillian Dickson Park is starting to see improvements and will see even more this Saturday.

The Lillian Dickson Park group, which first met in February, is making progress toward upgrading and renovating the park to make it safer and more family-friendly.

The group is spearheaded by the Chautauqua County Health Network's Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play project. There are already over 40 volunteers set to help, including groups from Home Depot, Chautauqua Opportunities Inc., the Washington Middle School builders group and the park's neighbors, as well as members of the parks staff.

Photo and article courtesy of Hilary Scott, Post Journal

Chautauqua County Health Network (CCHN) has partnered with the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) on the Power of 3: Building a Healthcare Talent Pipeline, a grow-your-own program funded by the Sheldon Foundation since 2010.The program has served over 350 students from 6 different school districts by introducing them to healthcare career possibilities through interactive workshops and career fairs.

2012 has proven to a be an eventful year. In February, a Healthcare Career fair was held at WCA Hospital with over 80 students interacting with 25 local healthcare professionals. The success of the program also helped secure more funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to expand the program to 3 additional school districts in the North County, serving an additional 109 students that attended a Healthcare fair on May 17th at Fredonia High School.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined Chautauqua County hospital leaders and members of the Chautauqua County Health Network (CCHN) to announce a new $300,000 federal grant for the area. The funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Rural Health Policy, Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement program will support a new initiative by CCHN.

In an effort to show case local opportunities in the healthcare sector, CCHN worked in collaboration with hospitals and physicians to develop a shadowing program for first year medical students. This summer two local students, Holly Bean and Sufyan Siddiqui, participated in the six-week program. Ms. Bean attends the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed rotations at both Westfield and WCA hospitals while Mr. Siddiqui, a student at SUNY Upstate Medical University, rotated through Brooks Hospital.

The Chautauqua County Health Network and Chautauqua Integrated Delivery System hosted a Medical Student Mixer on July 2nd. More than 30 medical students and local professionals attended the event which was held at Shaggy's in Bemus Point. The purpose of the mixer is to provide local medical students the chance to mingle with healthcare and other professionals about opportunities within Chautauqua County. The event was quite successful with the medical students expressing their interest in returning to the area after completing their training. Another mixer will be held over the holidays in Fredonia.

Planning for the end of your own life is a sensitive topic, but one which should be considered by every adult. Cara Seekings is a consultant for Chautauqua County Health Network who is trained to help people take the steps to prepare themselves for the inevitable that can also be unthinkable. But because even the healthiest life can end up on the brink of death at any moment, it is important for every adult to take the time to think about what would matter most should life come to an end, Ms. Seekings said.