CEO Update: February 13, 2026

Pathways to Care: Strengthening Care Coordination

This week, I want to share the vision behind Pathways to Care, our grant-funded pilot program at Southern Tier Health Care System in partnership with TransAm.

Pathways to Care represents a shift in how we think about care delivery in our rural communities. Rather than waiting for patients to present in crisis, we are proactively meeting them where they are — in their homes — between primary care visits. Our EMTs and Paramedics are uniquely positioned to identify both medical and non-medical drivers of health, close gaps in care, and strengthen communication with primary care providers. This model is designed to extend the reach of primary care, reduce avoidable emergency department utilization, and address the social and environmental factors that too often impact outcomes.

During this pilot phase, we are intentionally starting small — enrolling 20 patients within a 10-mile radius of Olean — with a focus on individuals who are high utilizers of the emergency department. This allows us to build the model thoughtfully, measure impact, and refine our approach before scaling.

Pathways to Care reflects our broader commitment to innovation, collaboration, and creating a more coordinated system of care across Cattaraugus County and beyond. As we gather data and demonstrate outcomes, we will explore opportunities to expand this model to reach more patients and further strengthen the health of our community.

Rural Workforce: Challenges and Strategic Focus

As we expand initiatives like Pathways to Care and maintain essential services such as SAFE and EMS, our ability to recruit and retain qualified EMTs, Paramedics, and specialized staff remains critical. Rural service delivery presents unique challenges, particularly when covering large geographic areas with limited personnel and meeting 24/7 coverage expectations.

We are actively strengthening our recruitment pipeline, building training partnerships, and focusing on retention strategies that support professional growth and long-term engagement. Workforce stability is foundational to sustaining innovation and ensuring continued access to high-quality care in our region.

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