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The Team Who We Are See our Board of Directors Donna Kahm, SPHR President & CEO Lacey Arnold Program Support Specialist Alicia Broadbent Executive Operations Coordinator KC Cone Program Assistant Toni Cottone Program Assistant Lindsey Green Program Support Specialist Mark Leckband Program Assistant Rob Pritchard Director of Program Development Colleen Ross Bookkeeper Bethany Schoonover-Kruse Program Assistant Ellie Strade Program Assistant Jordan Yaros Director of Grant Operations

Nebulized Albuterol A letter from the EMS agency physician medical director supporting the request and indicating an understanding of their role in the quality assurance process (click here). Medical Director Verification Form (DOH-4362) (click here). Written policies and procedures for the storage and maintenance of Nebulized Albuterol that are consistent with applicable Regional and State protocols. These policies and procedures shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following: Didactic and psychomotor objectives for training of authorized users including who will be authorized to conduct this training Documentation and attendance records of the training of authorized users A defined quality assurance program, including appropriateness review by the EMS agency and physician medical director; Written policies and procedures for storage of the Nebulized Albuterol, Notice to the EMS agency physician medical director of the use of the Nebulized Albuterol, and Requirements for documentation when the Nebulized Albuterol is used for patient care These items must be submitted to STEMS no less than three weeks prior to the next scheduled WREMAC meeting for approval. If you encounter any problems or need an additional help please feel free to reach out to me and I will help you through the process at stems@sthcs.org .

Paramedic Program The application period for the 2025-26 Regional Paramedic Program is closed. The next Paramedic Program will likely begin in January 2027. Getting rural EMS providers the training they need to enhance their skills and level of care has always been difficult. Faced with a looming crisis, Southern Tier Health Care System, a rural health care network funded by the New York State Charles B. Cook Office of Rural Health, convened a group of regional EMS medical directors, EMS educators and the leaders of regional EMS agencies to find a solution in January of 2013. Working as a liaison with the New York Bureau of EMS, Southern Tier Health Care System secured permission to design a program that meets the needs of our rural area. Southern Tier Health Care System surveyed other programs that use distance-learning technology to train EMS providers to create a best-practices paramedic training program. The result was a plan to create a Regional Paramedic Program that used distance learning technology to allow this advance training in a rural community. The Regional Paramedic Program was launched the first week of January 2014, less than a year after Southern Tier Health Care System hosted the planning meeting. This program would not have been possible unless everyone was willing to work together. The cooperation speaks volumes about how a rural community can work together and make the impossible, possible. The Regional Paramedic Program represents the Power of Rural message that National Rural Health Day was created to celebrate. The UPMC Chautauqua @ WCA Paramedic program has been issued a Letter of Review by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This letter is NOT a CAAHEP accreditation status, it is a status signifying that a program seeking initial accreditation has demonstrated sufficient compliance with the accreditation standards through the Letter of Review Self Study Report (LSSR) and other documentation. Letter of Review is recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for eligibility to take the NREMT's Paramedic credentialing examination(s). However, it is NOT a guarantee of eventual accreditation. To contact CoAEMSP: 214-703-8445/www.coaemsp.org. NREMT Test Results No graduates during the 2023 reporting year BEMS Forms & Portal

Building Capacity Through Training and Collaboration Catholic Health and Kaleida Health partnered to present BEFAST stroke training this week, teaching providers how to quickly recognize the signs of stroke (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and act fast. This training highlights the collaboration across systems—Catholic Health, Kaleida Health, Olean General, and EMS—that is improving consistency and outcomes across Western NY. Also this week, our training center hosted the Paramedic class, ITLS training, a CLI course, the SWREMSCO meeting, and a community blood drive. It’s exciting to see the building used so actively for education, collaboration, and community service. This also underscores why building out the lower level is so important—to ensure we have the space needed to keep pace with the growing demand for trainings and events that strengthen our region. We are grateful to Catholic Health, Kaleida Health, and all our community partners for bringing these important trainings and events to our region and for their commitment to improving stroke outcomes through collaboration. Investing in Rural Communities The USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program is a great opportunity for municipalities, nonprofits, and Tribes to access affordable funding for essential projects like health clinics, fire stations, childcare centers, and libraries. Applications are accepted year-round, with priority for small, low-income communities. I encourage our partners to look into this program and see how it might support your own projects. Click here to learn more.

Representing Our Region in Rural Health This week I attended the New York State Rural Health Council meeting. The agenda included updates from the Office of Rural Health, review and adoption of the dental memo, and a presentation on the state’s Rural Health Transformation Plan. I want to thank Karen Madden and her team for the work they are doing to move rural health forward. Workforce challenges, hospital financial concerns, and the need for continued advocacy were all raised as emerging issues, and I was glad to represent our region in that discussion. Many of the priorities outlined align closely with our work at STHCS, particularly our Pathways to Care program and our ongoing efforts to support EMS agencies and strengthen the rural health workforce. These connections reaffirm the importance of the work we are leading locally. Opening Doors to All I’m thrilled to share that Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. has received a grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation to support our Opening Doors to All project. This funding will allow us to expand training rooms, upgrade technology, and install an elevator to ensure accessibility for all. We are so grateful to The Children’s Guild Foundation for their generosity and commitment to helping every child and young adult thrive. This support moves us closer to our vision of creating an inclusive space where no one is left out.

RAM Event This past weekend, Southern Tier Health Care System participated in the Remote Area Medical (RAM) event, where hundreds of people received free medical, dental, and vision care. Our team was on-site sharing information about the 1115 Waiver / Pathways to Care, EMS programs, and other services we provide. It was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the resources available through STHCS and connect directly with community members. A special thank you to Toni, Lindsey, Lacey, KC, and Bethany for representing STHCS. Their efforts made sure our programs reached the people who need them most. Rural Health Symposium This week I attended the Rural Health Symposium in Geneva, NY, sponsored by the New York State Association for Rural Health (NYSARH). The event focused on the biggest issues facing rural communities—access, workforce, behavioral health, aging, and sustainable funding. Discussions emphasized the need for stronger mental health supports, creative workforce pipelines, and better systems to serve aging populations. These themes directly connect with our work at STHCS through Pathways to Care, EMS partnerships, and training programs. The symposium was a great chance to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and bring back insights that will guide our advocacy and program development.