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New Healthcare Leaders This week, I had the opportunity to join several STHCS Board Members in welcoming two new leaders to our region: Dr. Swagata Banik, Dean of the DePerro School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure, and Bradley J. Chapman, FACHE, President of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. We’re excited to work alongside both leaders as they begin their new roles, and we look forward to the ways they’ll help advance the mission of STHCS to strengthen and support the health of our communities. A Day of Collaboration and Growth Today is a busy day in our training room! We’re starting the morning by hosting several steering committee members for the Community Health Assessment (CHA). The CHA is a regional effort to identify the most important health needs in our communities and develop strategies to improve health outcomes. This work is being done in partnership with Olean General Hospital, Bradford Regional Medical Center, the Cattaraugus County Health Department, and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Right after that, we’ll be hosting the Cattaraugus County Community Services Board meeting. This board helps guide local mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. We’re excited to welcome two new members: Dr. Brian Walters and Dawn Colburn, who will both bring valuable perspectives to the work ahead. It’s great to have the space to hold meetings like these, and we’re looking forward to expanding into the lower level of our building to give us even more capacity in the future.

Community Health Needs Assessment – Your Input Matters I’m honored to serve on the Steering Committee for the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), led by Olean General Hospital and the Cattaraugus County Health Department. This effort is critical in identifying the biggest health challenges in our community and shaping future healthcare services. We need your voice! By taking a quick, anonymous 5–10-minute survey, you can help ensure local healthcare services meet the real needs of our region. As a bonus, participants will be entered into a drawing for a Chamber Gift Card. The survey is open until April 15, 2025—please take a moment to share your thoughts and encourage others to do the same! Click here to participate. Paramedic Program Moves into Hands-On Training The UPMC Chautauqua Regional Paramedic Program, which kicked off on January 6, is now in full swing! The 42 students—representing Jamestown, Belmont, and Olean—are advancing to the next phase of their training, where they will begin developing essential paramedic-level skills. As part of their coursework, students are completing hospital clinical rotations and EMS ride-alongs, gaining the real-world experience they need to prepare for the challenges of emergency medical care. On April 10, they will all participate in a cadaver lab—an exceptional hands-on learning experience made possible through our valued partnership with Dr. Clemency. We are especially proud to host and support the 14 students training in Olean as they work toward becoming certified New York State paramedics. Their dedication to this rigorous program will strengthen emergency medical services in our region for years to come.

Strengthening EMS, Strengthening Communities As the EMS program agency for New York State representing the Southwestern region, STHCS plays a critical role in ensuring that emergency medical services remain strong, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of our communities. Our mission goes beyond supporting EMS providers—we serve as a bridge between EMS leadership, hospital administration, and local and state decision-makers to ensure the best possible care for our residents. This week alone, we continued our collaborative efforts by: Engaging with EMS leadership to address operational challenges and workforce needs. Working alongside hospital administrators and EMS Leadership to improve prehospital-to-hospital transitions and patient outcomes. Advocating for system-wide improvements that support our first responders and enhance patient care. Our work is driven by a simple but powerful goal: bringing everyone to the table to build a stronger, more connected healthcare system. Whether it's workforce development, system integration, or ensuring that policies reflect the realities on the ground, STHCS is committed to making sure EMS remains a vital, well-supported component of our healthcare infrastructure. We thank our state and elected officials for their continued support over the years. Your commitment to EMS and public health has helped strengthen our system, and we look forward to continuing this work together. Investment in EMS is an investment in community well-being, and STHCS stands ready to lead the conversation on sustainable solutions. Thank you to all who support this mission. Together, we make a difference. Happy Valentine's Day!

Meeting with Elected Officials ​This week, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Borrello and Assemblyman Sempolinski alongside Carrie Whitwood from Ardent Solutions and Ann Battaglia from Healthy Community Alliance. We discussed the importance of increasing funding for our programs and ensuring continued support for the vital services we provide. We are grateful that both the Senator and Assemblyman each sent letters to the Governor, urging an increase in funding. Their advocacy is a positive step in recognizing the critical role our organization plays in supporting EMS and healthcare services in our region, including efforts tied to the 1115 waiver to expand access to care, harm reduction initiatives to address substance use challenges, and our Safe Kids programs to promote injury prevention and child wellness. We sincerely appreciate Senator Borrello, Assemblyman Sempolinski, and their staff for their ongoing commitment and support in advocating for the resources needed to strengthen our programs and enhance the services we provide to our communities. Supporting Opioid Services  Jordan and I met with Dawn Colburn, the Opioid Director for the Seneca Nation, and Cheryll Moore, a consultant assisting with their strategic plan to enhance opioid services. Their plan outlines 25 to 30 initiatives designed to close service gaps and provide better support for individuals affected by opioid use in Cattaraugus County. During our discussion, we shared that while we do not currently have funding to support the harm reduction position as we have had in the past, we are committed to assisting their efforts in any way possible. We remain hopeful that Local Government Unit (LGU) funding for the harm reduction position will be approved soon, enabling us to continue our vital work in reducing opioid-related deaths in our community.

Regional Stroke Education Updates The Regional EMS Stroke Committee, led by WREMAC, has developed updated stroke training to improve recognition and response times. This education covers two key assessment tools:  BEFAST Stroke Assessment – Helps identify strokes quickly.  FAST-ED LVO Scale – Detects large vessel occlusions (LVOs) for better treatment decisions.  The first CME event was recently held at Mercy Flight, and the session was recorded for those who couldn’t attend. We strongly encourage all providers to review this training and share it with their teams to ensure they are prepared to deliver the best stroke care possible. Click here to view the training. Looking ahead, our next CME event is scheduled for this Tuesday March 18 at 7:00 p.m., at STHCS, featuring Dr. Belle and Dr. Coolidge as presenters. This is another great opportunity to strengthen stroke education across our region.  Click here to register! New Roof Project at STHCS  We’re excited to share that work on a new roof at STHCS will begin in the coming weeks! This project is funded through DASNY’s Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program (NICIP), and we are grateful for their support in helping us maintain and improve our facility.  Peterson Roofing has been contracted for the job, and we appreciate your patience as the work moves forward. This investment will help keep our building safe, functional, and ready to serve our staff, partners, and the community members who depend on our programs.  Thank you for your support as we continue to improve our infrastructure and the services we provide!

Celebrating Dental Health Month with Safe Kids February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we were excited to celebrate by hosting a Safe Kids book reading at the Olean Public Library! Miranda Ellison from Valley View Dental joined us to read an engaging story to children and their families, emphasizing the importance of good oral health from an early age. This event was a great way to encourage healthy habits and highlight dental care as an essential part of overall well-being. We appreciate Miranda and Valley View Dental for their support, as well as the Olean Public Library for welcoming us. By working together, we’re helping families gain the knowledge and resources they need to support lifelong healthy smiles. Join the March Wellbeing+ Stick With It Challenge! We’re excited to launch the March Wellbeing+ Stick With It Challenge, a fun and supportive way to build healthier habits! If you live or work in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, or Allegany County, you’re invited to join. Throughout March, participants will:  Set and stick to personal wellness goals  Take on mini wellness challenges  Stay active and track their steps  Be entered into weekly prize drawings!  This challenge is a great way to stay motivated, improve your well-being, and connect with others who share the same goals. Sign up today and take the first step toward a healthier you!

Expanding Workforce Development Through the Career Academy I’m excited to share that we’ve welcomed another group of students into our Step Into Healthcare Career Academy, continuing our work to grow the healthcare workforce and inspire the next generation of professionals. This program gives high school students hands-on experiences and a real look at the many career paths in healthcare. With the demand for healthcare workers rising in our region, it’s more important than ever to invest in young talent. By giving students knowledge, skills, and real-world experience, we’re helping to build a stronger, more prepared workforce for the future. A big thank you to our community partners for supporting this program and making it a success—and to KC for leading this cohort! Enhancing Transportation Access Through ITNAmerica Access to reliable transportation remains one of the biggest barriers to healthcare in our region, and I’m excited to share that we are taking a major step toward addressing this challenge. We have officially begun the process of onboarding Independent Transportation Network America (ITNAmerica), a nationally recognized transportation solution, to support our Pathways to a Healthier You program. We’ve been meeting regularly with ITNAmerica and Interfaith Caregivers to set up the platform, ensuring a seamless experience for those who need transportation to medical appointments and essential health services. In addition, we’ve been developing marketing materials and a work plan to recruit volunteer drivers, a key component in making this program successful. While we know there may be challenges along the way, I believe this initiative has the potential to make a real difference for those struggling to access care.

Standing Together for Heart Health: National Wear Red Day Today, we proudly support National Wear Red Day to raise awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. At STHCS, we understand the importance of heart health and encourage our community to focus on prevention through education, regular screenings, and healthy choices. We’re grateful for our partners and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to promote cardiovascular health. By wearing red, we show our support for heart disease awareness and prevention. Let’s keep advocating for healthier hearts in our communities! Breaking Down Barriers I’m excited to share that STHCS has officially joined both Social Care Networks (SCNs) serving our region—Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative (WNYICC) and Forward Leaning IPA (FLIPA)—as part of New York State’s 1115 Medicaid waiver. With our contracts now in place, we are ready to support this transformative effort to improve health equity and strengthen social care integration. Through the 1115 waiver, we are expanding our role in connecting underserved populations with vital healthcare and social services. This initiative aligns with our mission to break down barriers to care and enhance the health and well-being of our rural communities. We look forward to making a lasting impact!

Intensive Crisis Center This week, I had the opportunity to coordinate and participate in a valuable discussion about the BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center, a transformative new facility dedicated to providing immediate care and support for individuals experiencing acute mental health or substance use crises. This 24/7 crisis stabilization center serves Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara Counties—while also welcoming individuals from beyond these areas—with a “no wrong door” approach to care. I want to extend my gratitude to the many community partners who attended this meeting. Their engagement and commitment to improving crisis services are truly appreciated. The discussion reinforced the critical role this resource will play in our communities, offering crisis counseling, medication management, substance use treatment, and seamless referrals to long-term care and community support. I’m excited to continue these conversations and work toward ensuring these essential services are accessible in our region. Join the Wellbeing+ Challenge! I’m excited to invite you to participate in an engaging new wellness challenge as we partner with Wellbeing+! This platform is a fantastic way to prioritize your health while staying connected and motivated. With Wellbeing+, you can: ✅ Track your daily steps and monitor your progress ✅ Join fun challenges to stay motivated ✅ Access on-demand content, including recipes, workouts, and more ✅ Win prizes—random drawings will be held for participants who join and engage! Ready to get started? Click the link below to enroll. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email with everything you need to begin: Sign Up Here Let’s take this step toward better health together—I can’t wait to see you in the challenge!

Audit Preparation I would like to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Colleen Ross, our bookkeeper, for her outstanding efforts in closing out 2024. Her diligence, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence have ensured that we are fully prepared for our auditor, Ed Bysiek, to begin his review of the year. This is a critical milestone, and Colleen’s hard work has been instrumental in achieving it. Additionally, I want to acknowledge the robust financial system we have in place, including the quarterly audits conducted by our independent accountant, Ashley Peterson. These audits have been invaluable in maintaining transparency, accuracy, and accountability throughout the year, enabling a smooth and efficient year-end close. As we look ahead, I am confident that these systems, along with the dedication and expertise of our team, will continue to uphold the integrity and strength of our financial operations. I want to thank Colleen, for her exceptional contributions, and to everyone who has played a role in supporting our success. Together, we are building a solid foundation for continued growth and excellence. Cattaraugus County Community Services Board I’m excited to highlight how our training space is being utilized to support meaningful community initiatives. Today, we are proud to host the Cattaraugus County Community Services Board for their annual reorganization meeting and luncheon. We are pleased to welcome all Board Members, Subcommittee Chairs/Vice Chairs, and County Legislators to this important gathering. This annual meeting is a key opportunity for the Board to address organizational details and set the stage for continued success in serving our community. Additionally, as we begin building out the lower level, we are looking forward to enhancing our capacity to host events like this, further strengthening our role as a hub for collaboration and growth. We look forward to providing a productive space for the Board’s important work and appreciate their commitment to serving the community.

NYS Rural Health Council I am thrilled to share some exciting news: I have been appointed to represent on the New York State Rural Health Council. This prestigious opportunity enables us to contribute to shaping the future of rural healthcare across the state. I am deeply honored to serve in this capacity and to advance initiatives that prioritize the health and well-being of our communities. As part of this appointment, I have received a formal notice from the Governor's Office, along with the Oath of Office required to officially begin my duties on the board. This milestone represents an exciting chapter for our organization, as it strengthens our influence and partnerships at the state level. I look forward to sharing updates, collaborating with stakeholders, and advocating for the unique needs of rural communities in the Southern Tier and beyond. Thank you all for your unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve! On Demand Care Program We continue to review the training materials provided by Steven Vincent for Trans Am’s Priority Service for their On Demand Care program. These conversations highlighted the essential role of comprehensive training for community paramedicine providers—a cornerstone of our strategy to elevate service delivery in our communities. Our primary focus remains on ensuring a robust onboarding process for Trans Am and other providers. This process is designed to equip team members with the expertise and confidence needed to deliver effective, high-quality care. By prioritizing thorough and targeted training, we aim to empower all staff to excel in their roles within community paramedicine. Together, we are making meaningful strides in transforming healthcare delivery.

Building on Success: A Look Back at 2024 and Our Path Forward in 2025 As I begin my 19th year as President and CEO of Southern Tier Health Care System and my 24th year with the organization, I am incredibly proud to reflect on 2024—a year marked by remarkable achievements and meaningful progress. These accomplishments are a testament to the unwavering support of our Board of Directors and the dedication of our exceptional staff. Together, we have continued to advance our mission to improve health and wellness in rural communities. To provide a comprehensive overview, I’ve prepared a document highlighting the strategic initiatives, partnerships, and milestones that have defined 2024, along with our goals and priorities for 2025. I encourage you to take the time to review it—it truly showcases the impact of our collective efforts and our vision for the future. Please click here to review the document. Paramedic Program Kicks Off Across the Southern Tier I am thrilled to announce the start of the UPMC Chautauqua Regional Paramedic Program, where 44 dedicated students from Jamestown, Belmont, and Olean have embarked on a 15-month journey to become certified New York State paramedics. Throughout the program, students will attend classes twice a week, gaining hands-on experience through hospital clinical rotations and ambulance ride-alongs. These opportunities will allow them to develop and refine the critical skills required of advanced life support providers. We are especially proud to host and support the 15 Olean-based students as they work toward this significant achievement. Their commitment to this challenging program reflects the dedication and passion needed to serve our communities in emergency medical care.