The New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council has approved the active parent model for Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS) and Kaleida Health.

Under terms of the proposal, Kaleida Health will become the parent organization of UAHS. UAHS and its member hospitals, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), will become part of Kaleida Health while remaining separate legal entities with separate boards of directors.

Approval by the state health planning council is one of the final huddles bringing the two organizations together. The affiliation is also under review by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and officials are hopeful of approval.

“Beyond approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Health there are filings with the Federal Trade Commission to be approved,” said Timothy J. Finan, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System. We are hopeful that the entire process will be finished relatively quickly and the affiliation will become official later this spring.”

“This is another positive step forward in our plans to fully affiliate,” said Jody Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. “Together, our goal is to continue to serve the Southern Tier and Northwestern Pennsylvania communities. We want to continue to collaborate and improve care on a local level.”

In May of 2016, UAHS signed a letter of intent to affiliate with Kaleida Health. The letter of intent proposes no immediate changes at either hospital, including staffing. BRMC and OGH will continue to provide existing inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and therapeutic services.

In 2013, Kaleida Health and OGH jointly established an interventional cardiac catheterization laboratory in Olean. The cardiac program has performed more than 1,000 procedures, saving hundreds of lives in the process. Also in 2013, Kaleida Health and BRMC jointly established a home care agency, the VNA of Northwestern Pennsylvania in Bradford.

The opportunity to partner with Kaleida Health and its programs at places like the Gates Vascular Institute, Buffalo General Medical Center and Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo is to coordinate care so patients in the region will have access to appropriate care locally and be seamlessly transitioned to tertiary network care platforms when needed. Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital will also be have greater coordination of care and enhanced partnerships with Erie County Medical Center’s (a partner of Kaleida Health) centers of excellence in behavioral health and transplantation, along with adult level one trauma care.

Olean General Hospital will present “What everyone should know about sexual assault” Wednesday, April 5 at OGH’s education center.

Presented by Denise O’Neil, MSN, BSN, RN, SANE-A, senior director, patient care services, OGH; Donna Kahm, president and chief executive officer, and Lindsey Mapes, director, Southern Tier Advocacy Center, Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc.; Mason Maynard, director, victim services program, Cattaraugus Community Action, Inc.; and Det. Sgt. Mark Crosson, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s office at Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center, the program will shine a light on the problem of sexual assault in our community and address how victims are offered assistance to help them deal with the initial impact and after effects.

The presentation is part of OGH’s ongoing Community Breakfast Series. The series is free and open to the public. Breakfast will be served at 7:45 a.m. with the presentation from 8:15 to 9 a.m. Seating is limited. To make reservations, call Janene Dunn, at 716/375-6974 or email jdunn@uahs.org.

Additional programs in the series include: Why is healthcare so expensive, May 3; E-health – what does it mean to you and your family, Oct. 4; and The ratings puzzle – how to make sense of hospital report cards, Nov. 1.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

Total Joint Replacement Class – 10 a.m., April 4, 18, Olean General Hospital. Sessions provide information for those who are scheduled or are considering joint replacement surgery. For more information, or to register, call 716/375-7481.

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – 8 a.m.-12 p.m., April 7, 26, Education Center, Olean General Hospital. To register, call 716/375-6217.

American Red Cross Blood Drive – 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., April 12, Olean General Hospital’s Education Center. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-REDCROSS for appointments; walkins welcome.

Diabetes Education Workshops – 6-9 p.m., April 12, 19, 26, Education Center, Olean General Hospital. This comprehensive program offers education to assist people with diabetes to better manage the disease. An order from a medical provider is required; most insurances partially or completely cover the cost. For more information, call 716/375-4127.

Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED Class – 8 a.m.-1 p.m., April 17, Olean General Hospital’s Education Center. To register, call 716/375-6217.

Upper Allegheny Health System elected Julie Marasco to the health system’s board of directors at its March 29 meeting.

Marasco is region president of Northwest. As a member of the UAHS board of directors, she will also serve on the board of directors at Olean General Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical Center, member hospitals of UAHS.

Marasco has held a number of positions at Northwest since starting her career in 1977, including district manager and senior vice president of branch operations, advancing to her current position where she is responsible for the growth of the bank’s financial market in 43 offices in 16 counties.

A Bradford native, she serves as director of the Pennsylvania Banker’s Association School of Banking, and a member of the Bradford Area Alliance, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford advisory board and executive committee, and the Neighborhood Partnership Project advisory board. She represented Northwest as a founding member of Leadership McKean and is a long-standing member of BRMC’s community relations committee. She was named Businessperson of the Year in 2008 by the Bradford Chamber of Commerce and received the Woman’s Leader Award from the YWCA in 2013.

“Julie’s obvious financial acumen and longstanding dedication to our community will be a tremendous asset to the board. I look forward to welcoming her,” said Brenda McGee, chair, board of directors, UAHS.

“It is a pleasure to join the board and I am very excited to support Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal of providing high quality healthcare for our area residents,” Marasco said. “I was born and raised in Bradford and I understand the absolute importance of maintaining hospitals for our communities.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

Penny Payne, RN, shows Christina Bliss how to use a sleep sack on her third child, Isabella, before leaving Olean General Hospital.

Losing an infant is a pain no parent wants to think about and Olean General Hospital and Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. are taking the initiative to help infants sleep safely.

STHCS and OGH started a pilot program as part of the Cribs for Kids® National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program last year. The program strives to increase safe sleep practices for infants through staff and patient education and the use of Halo SleepSacks®. The sleep sacks are a wearable-type blanket that replaces loose blankets in the crib that could loosen and interfere with the baby’s breathing while also keeping the baby warm.

“We started this pilot program last summer and it’s going really well,” said Richard Whitney, RN, obstetrics nurse manager, OGH. Whitney said patient education starts before the baby is even born during childbirth education classes which parents attend so they are familiar with the information before they come to the hospital.

Education starts a conversation with parents about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, and safe sleep practices such as having babies sleep alone on their backs in a crib, with no loose blankets, clothes or stuffed animals, he said. OGH’s OB department started using Halo SleepSacks® instead of traditional blankets which parents can then use at home.

“Studies have shown repeatedly that parents follow the practices they see in hospital maternity wards. By modeling infant safe sleep practice, Olean General Hospital is helping ensure infants born at the hospital have safe sleep environments,” said Donna Kahm, STHCS president and chief executive officer.

The efforts the hospital is taking will help keep babies safer by reducing sleep-related deaths. In the process, OGH will apply to become a Cribs for Kids Gold Certified Safe Sleep Champion. By becoming gold certified, it shows the hospital’s commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths by promoting best safe sleep practices and through education on infant sleep safety.

Sleep-related death is the number one killer of infants one to 12 months of age in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 3,700 infants die each year while sleeping or napping. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the use of sleep sacks as the preferable method to keep babies safe while sleeping.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

Southern Tier Health Care System is a rural healthcare network serving Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Its mission is to improve the health and wellness or our rural communities.

Pictured, in front, is Dineen Mohr; middle row, Amy Johnson, Jennifer Faulkner, Kelly Moonan, Brittany Baer; and in back, Melissa Sinks, Kimberly Slocum, Sue Everetts, Laurie Mann.

Associated Clinical Laboratories, who contracts with Upper Allegheny Health System member hospitals Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital for laboratory services, held its annual service awards April 12.

Jennifer Faulkner, lab supervisor, OGH, was presented with the Excellence in Leadership Award.

“Jennifer has excelled in her role as a leader for UAHS and ACL and is very deserving of the award,” said Valerie Cox, ACL human resources manager.

The event also honored staff members for their milestone years of service, and included: 30 years - Susan Everetts, section coordinator, OGH; 25 years - Laurie Mann, medical technician, OGH, Kimberly Slocum, section coordinator, OGH, and Melissa Sinks, medical technician, OGH; 15 years - Amy Johnson, phlebotomist, OGH; 10 years - Dineen Mohr, phlebotomist, OGH, and Kelly Moonan, clerk, BRMC; 5 years - Brittany Baer, phlebotomist, OGH.

Olean General Hospital will present “E-health – what does it mean to you and your family” Wednesday, May 3 at OGH’s education center.

In a world of paperless healthcare, this program will outline electronic health records, patient portals and e-health. Jason Yaworsky, senior vice president and chief information officer at Upper Allegheny Health System, will also discuss security and how electronic and digital health information benefits patients and lowers the cost of care.

The presentation is part of OGH’s ongoing Community Breakfast Series. The series is free and open to the public. Breakfast will be served at 7:45 a.m. with the presentation from 8:15 to 9 a.m. Seating is limited. To make reservations, call Janene Dunn, at 716/375-6974 or email jdunn@uahs.org.

Additional programs in the series include: Why is healthcare so expensive, Oct. 4, and The ratings puzzle – how to make sense of hospital report cards, Nov. 1.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

The Little Genesee Quilters volunteer their time at Olean General Hospital and have made and donated approximately 175 quilts over the last two years.

Olean General Hospital honored its volunteers for their time and service to the hospital during a recognition dinner April 27, which was held during National Volunteer Week.

The hospital recognized 108 active volunteers who donated over 15,000 hours of service over the last year.

“The entire hospital celebrates and salutes our volunteers and extends our sincere thanks and appreciation for all of their tremendous support of Olean General Hospital,” said Timothy J. Finan, president and chief executive officer, Upper Allegheny Health System and Olean General Hospital.

“Olean General has numerous volunteers and we are grateful to gather them together at this recognition dinner to honor all of their contributions throughout the year. Many do not work within the hospitals walls. There are several who make baby hats and lap blankets at home or with a group. These volunteers not only donate their time but also the materials to make their beautiful creations. Babies born at OGH receive hats and the auxiliary also gives lap blankets to our subacute rehab patients. Each one of the donated items brings comfort and joy to the patients who receive them. The hard work and love that goes into them is truly appreciated,” said Crystal Kling, volunteer services coordinator, OGH.

Kling thanked all volunteers for their time and generosity but also noted a few special recognitions.

Mary Marks of Allegany has been volunteering and a member of the OGH Auxiliary since 2001. She is currently the auxiliary’s treasurer and lead volunteer at the Mildred Milliman Outpatient Surgery Center. She goes above and beyond covering many shifts when others are not available.

Lorraine Ranallo of Olean has been volunteering at OGH for the last 18 years. She is a loyal volunteer that comes in every Friday and works diligently in the lab and in medical records. She rarely misses a day no matter what the weather may be like she is a true asset to the departments she helps.

OGH has three volunteers who provide comfort and cheer to patients and their families at the Mildred Milliman Radiation Center on a weekly basis. Therapy dogs, Sierra, along with her handlers, David and Dobie Marowski of Olean, and Bree, with her handler Beth Mills of Olean, have been volunteering since the start of the program six years ago. Recently, Bree’s brother, Andre, joined the team and also spends time at the center. These four legged friends received doggie bags filled with treats that were sent home with their handlers for all they do.

“Our volunteers are simply priceless. We are inspired by the sacrifices they make and by the gift of their time and talents. It’s nothing less than impressive,” said Karen Fohl, vice president, institutional advancement, foundation president, OGH.

Volunteers of all ages and abilities provide a variety of services for the hospital including VanGogh drivers, patient escorts, art cart, compassionate companion, mail delivery, runners and much more. For more information on volunteer opportunities at OGH, contact Crystal Kling at 716/375-6119 or ckling@ogh.org.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

Total Joint Replacement Class – 10 a.m., May 2, 16, Olean General Hospital. Sessions provide information for those who are scheduled or are considering joint replacement surgery. For more information, or to register, call 716/375-7481.

Diabetes Education Workshops – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., May 6, 13, 20, Education Center, Olean General Hospital. This comprehensive program offers education to assist people with diabetes to better manage the disease. An order from a medical provider is required; most insurances partially or completely cover the cost. For more information, call 716/375-4127.

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – 8 a.m.-12 p.m., May 9, Education Center, Olean General Hospital. To register, call 716/375-6217.

Prepared Childbirth Class – 8 a.m.-4 p.m., May 13, Classroom 4 (off the cafeteria), Olean General Hospital. To register, call 375-6330 or email preparedchildbirth@ogh.org.

Olean General Hospital honored its nursing staff during the 15th annual Hilal Nursing Recognition Program May 12 in conjunction with the hospital’s National Nurses Week activities.

This event has been sponsored since 2005 by Drs. Ahmad and Naheed Hilal as an expression of their profound appreciation of the important work that nurses perform on a daily basis. The event honors a Nurse of Distinction, an Outstanding RN and LPN and an Outstanding Nurse Assistant/Technician at OGH. The hospital presented its Nurse of Distinction Award to Heather Faulkner, RN. Rachael DiNapoli, RN, received the Outstanding Staff Nurse Award, Lynn Carlson, LPN, was named Outstanding LPN, and Sandra Capito was selected as Outstanding Nurse Assistant/Technician.

“We congratulate Heather, Rachael, Lynn and Sandra for their outstanding performance,” said Timothy J. Finan, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System and Olean General Hospital. “These nurses each demonstrate exemplary leadership, compassion, and dedication. We thank them, and all of our nurses, for helping our hospital fulfill its mission of providing excellent care to those we serve.”

“The Hilal reception is the culmination of our Nurses’ Week celebration,” said Vi-Anne Antrum, vice president patient care services and chief nursing officer, OGH. “I am proud of the exceptional care provided by our nursing staff every single day in this community. I offer special congratulations to all of our nominees and our winners, Heather, Rachael, Lynn, and Sandy. Olean General Hospital is blessed with an incredibly compassionate team. I am grateful to Drs. Hilal and Hilal for their generosity, kindness, and support today and always. Happy Nurses Week to all of the dedicated nurses serving their communities, especially our own.”

“We are very proud of our nurses and the hard work, dedication, and caring that they give our patients each and every day,” said Denise O’Neil, senior director, patient care services, OGH.
Nominees for the 2017 Nurse of Distinction Award included Heather Burrell, RN, Heather Faulkner, RN, Virginia Goodfellow, RN, Amber Harding, RN, Christine Hewitt, RN, Rebecca Schiano, RN, Maria Stenzel, RN, Rachael Territo, RN, Barbara Walker, RN, and Cindy Wickstrom, RN.

Nominees for the Outstanding Staff Nurse included Elizabeth Barry, RN, Alyssa Carlin, RN, Rachael DiNapoli, RN, Lori Hamed, RN, Amber Harding, RN, Kimberly Light, RN, Tenisha Murphy, RN, Micki Orcutt, RN, Cheryl Peters, RN, Leasa Peterson, RN, Sue Schultz-Schena, RN, Sharon Stalker, RN, Angela Stone, RN, Heather Terhune, RN, Joan Thomas, RN, and Cindy Wickstrom, RN.

Nominees for Outstanding LPN included Lynn Carlson, LPN, Valerie Fusco, LPN, Ellen Gleason, LPN, and Kim Schauer, LPN.

Nominees for Outstanding Nurse Assistant/Technician were Sandra Capito, NA, Rachel Gardner, NA, Diane Harvey, NA, Jenna Helms, NA, Bobbi Jo Puccinelli, NA, and Katie Schessl, NA.

Pictured, from left, are Sandra Capito, NA; Rachael DiNapoli, RN; Dr. Ahmad Hilal; Dr. Naheed Hilal; Heather Faulkner, RN; and Lynn Carlson, LPN.

Olean General Hospital welcomed students from East View Elementary School recently for Buddy’s First Visit.

In its fourth year, Buddy’s First Visit welcomes young children to the emergency room to show them what to expect should they be there as a patient. Along with their “best buddy” (stuffed animal), the children learn things like how stethoscopes are used, what happens when a nurse takes their blood pressure and how to wear a mask to prevent the spread of germs.

In addition to OGH staff, children meet representatives from Southern Tier Healthcare System, Trans Am and the City of Olean Fire Department. After meeting emergency personnel, seeing the inside of an ambulance and emergency room, the youngsters learn to be more comfortable and understand what happens in the event of an actual emergency. OGH will continue to welcome children from Washington West Elementary School through early June.

Brandace Gaylor, RN, and Kelly Burrichter, RN, talk to students about visiting the emergency room during Buddy’s First Visit.

In 2009 Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital came together under a common parent organization with the creation of Upper Allegheny Health System. The integration of the two hospitals under UAHS was pursued to secure and enhance healthcare in the region and to help address the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals throughout the nation. The initial desire of both hospitals was to formally merge but because of issues related to the expediency of regulatory approval, state authorities recommended that both hospitals initially integrate under a common parent organization. This led to the formation of Upper Allegheny Health System. This model has served both hospitals well over the past seven and a half years and has provided a combined annual financial benefit of approximately $4M for the two hospitals. Additionally, the two hospitals, because of common boards of directors, information technology platforms and other administrative systems, function essentially as a single organization.

While the creation of UAHS has provided significant financial benefit, challenges for BRMC, OGH and hospitals everywhere remain. In considering various responses to these challenges the hospitals became aware that a formal merger of the two organizations would result in significant financial enhancements for both hospitals. Therefore, after discussions with the New York State and Pennsylvania Departments of Health, a Certificate of Need (CON) has been submitted to the New York State Department of Health, along with filings with the New York State Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Attorney General, to formally merge BRMC and OGH.

“The decision by the Boards of Directors of Upper Allegheny Health System, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital to merge our two hospitals is consistent with our efforts to secure and enhance healthcare for the Bradford and Olean communities well into the future,” said Brenda McGee, chair of Board of Directors of Upper Allegheny Health System, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital.

The formal merger of the two hospitals will create an annual revenue gain of approximately $1.8 million through reimbursement enhancements and non-salary expense savings. It is expected that formal approval will take approximately 12 months.

The names of the hospitals will not change and the clinical services and programs at each hospital will remain the same. Employees of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital will also see no change. Current wage and benefit structures as well as other terms and conditions of employment at each hospital will remain in place.

Timothy Finan, UAHS President &CEO, explained that the two medical staffs currently have identical by-laws, committee structures, and quality assurance processes. Over time the intent is to develop a unified and integrated medical staff with local medical staff leadership focused on the medical staff needs of each hospital.

“The merger of our two hospitals will better position us to respond to the healthcare industry’s ongoing challenges and help assure the ongoing viability of healthcare in the Bradford and Olean communities.” Finan said. “Because our two hospitals already function as a single organization in so many ways our community and patients will not see any changes to the way we operate currently.”

“As with our affiliation with Kaleida Health, the formal merger of BRMC and OGH is part of our commitment to ensure the viability of these two hospitals and access to important healthcare in the communities they serve,” he said. “Both the affiliation with Kaleida and the merger of BRMC and OGH are a response to a rapidly changing healthcare environment.”

The Bradford Hospital Foundation and the Olean General Hospital Foundation will remain independent organizations after the merger.

The 31st annual Olean General Hospital Auxiliary Strawberry Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 15 on the front lawn at OGH.

In addition to the more than 80 pounds of strawberries used to serve strawberry shortcake, the event will offer sausage sandwiches, sloppy joes, nachos, hot dogs, texas hots, drinks, baked goods, craft items, raffles and entertainment. WPIG will do a live remote from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will also feature a health fair from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. sponsored by OGH. Hospital services to be featured will include The Chest Pain Center, cardiac catherization lab, surgical services, obstetrics, diabetes education, clinical education, Olean General Healthcare Systems, The Sleep Center, The Wound Center, Foothills Medical Group, Gundlah Dental Center, radiation medicine, radiology, rehabilitation, The Pavilion, pediatrics, infection prevention/quality, and subacute rehabilitation/Premier Therapy.

Millennium Collaborative Care will offer health screenings and information, fun activities and prizes. St. Bonaventure University’s Quick Center art mobile will have free kids activities along with its mobile art display. The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the emergency room entrance.

Other community organizations included in the health fair are the Cancer Services Program with cancer screenings and a walk through colon, BlueCross/BlueShield of Western New York, Out of the Darkness Walk, Audio Care, Inc., Southern Tier Healthcare Systems, Inc., Homecare & Hospice/Total Senior Care, YMCA, Hillside Children’s Center, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s office.

Proceeds from the event benefit the hospital’s auxiliary. For more information, call 716-375-6119.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support – 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., July 5, Olean General Hospital Classroom 4. To register, call 716/375-6217.

PEARS (pediatric emergency assessment recognition and stabilization) – 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., July 6, Olean General Hospital Education Center. To register, call 716/375-6217.

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – 8 a.m.-12 p.m., July 14, 31, Olean General Hospital Education Center. To register, call 716/375-6217.

Prepared Childbirth Class – 8 a.m.-4 p.m., July 8, Olean General Hospital Education Center. To register, call 375-6330 or email preparedchildbirth@ogh.org.

Breast Cancer Support Group – 6 p.m., July 10. Open to those diagnosed with breast cancer and their family and friends to share support and experiences. For more information, call 375-7134.

Total Joint Replacement Class – 10 a.m., July 11, 25, Olean General Hospital. Sessions provide information for those who are scheduled or are considering joint replacement surgery. For more information, or to register, call 375-7481.

Breastfeeding Class – 6-9 p.m., July 12, Olean General Hospital classroom 4. For more information or to register, call 375-6330 or email preparedchildbirth@ogh.org.

Diabetes Education Workshop – 1- 4 p.m., July 12, 19, 26, Olean General Hospital Education Center. This comprehensive program offers education to assist people with diabetes to better manage the disease. An order from a medical provider is required; most insurances partially or completely cover the cost. For more information, call 375-4127.

For the safety and security of its youngest patients and their families, Olean General Hospital is initiating secured entry to its OB/GYN, maternity floor.

As of July 3, the entrance to the fourth floor unit will be locked at all times. Visitors to the unit will be welcomed by staff after pressing a call button at the entrance.

“Patient safety is the hospital’s top priority and securing our OB entry is one more way to help ensure increased safety and security for our littlest patients and their families,” said Rich Whitney, RN, OB nurse manager, OGH.

For the second consecutive year, Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), representing member hospitals Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital, has been named to the nation’s list of Most Wired® hospitals and health systems by the American Hospital Association’s Health Care Forum.

The recognition is the result of the 19th Annual Health Care’s Most Wired® survey, which is an industry-standard benchmark study examining how organizations leverage information technology to improve performance for value-based healthcare in the areas of infrastructure, business and administrative management, quality and safety, and clinical integration.

UAHS is one of only two health systems in Western New York and one of only two providers in Northwestern Pennsylvania to be named Most Wired™. Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, also received Most Wired™ recognition.

The results and the list of Health Care’s Most Wired® hospitals and health system are published in the July 2017 issue of Health & Hospitals Networks (H&HN).

“We are extremely pleased to again be named to the list of the nation’s Most Wired® hospitals and health systems,” said Timothy J. Finan, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. “We know full well the impact information technology (IT) can have on improving patient quality, safety and enhancing access to services. I am very proud of the effort of our employees and physicians that resulted in the national recognition,” Finan said.

“Our organization has worked hard to leverage IT and redefine the way we provide care to our communities, including implementation of the electronic health record, computerized order entry for physicians, digital clinical imaging, introduction of a patient portal and much more,” said Jason Yaworsky, senior vice president and chief information officer at UAHS. “As we move forward, we’ll see continual growth in the use of IT applications in every aspect of healthcare to benefit patient care, the patient experience and performance improvement. We’re grateful to be recognized for our efforts,” Yaworsky said.

About UAHS: Formed in 2009, Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), is the parent organization of Bradford Regional Medical Center (Bradford, PA) and Olean General Hospital (Olean, NY). The creation of Upper Allegheny Health System has significantly enhanced the ability of both Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital to respond to the challenges of today's healthcare environment through increased scale and support. The hospitals are vitally important to the quality of life in the region. UAHS ensures that both Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital are best positioned to honor their missions of care and service to the residents of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Southwestern New York.

About the American Hospital Association: The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit www.aha.org.

About Health Forum
Health Forum is a strategic business enterprise of the American Hospital Association, creatively partnering to develop and deliver essential information and innovative services to help health care leaders achieve organizational performance excellence and sustainability. For more information, visit www.healthforum.com

Olean General Hospital was recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Gold Safe Sleep Champion, the highest designation, for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. OGH is one of five hospitals in the state to earn gold status.

The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids®, an organization dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths. OGH and Southern Tier Health Care System, Inc. started a pilot program last year as part of the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program which worked to increase safe sleep practices.

The program includes staff education, the use of Halo SleepSacks®, which are a wearable-type of blanket, and patient education during childbirth education classes so that parents are familiar with the material before the baby’s arrival. Education starts a conversation with parents about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and safe sleep practices such as having babies sleep alone on their backs in a crib, with no loose blankets, clothes or stuffed animals, according to Rich Whitney, RN, obstetrics nurse manager, OGH. Olean General’s OB department started using Halo SleepSacks® instead of traditional blankets which parents can then use at home. They replace loose blankets in the crib that could loosen and interfere with the baby’s breathing while also keeping the baby warm.

“When we started this program, our goal was to promote safe sleep practices to new parents to keep infants healthy and safe,” Whitney said. “Our staff, and partners at Southern Tier Health Care System, really came together to help reduce sleep-related deaths and keep infants safer. We are proud to be Gold Safe Sleep Champions.”

STHCS President and CEO Donna Kahm congratulated OGH on achieving Gold Safe Sleep Champion certification, noting that the program has proven effective in convincing new parents to adopt infant safe sleep practices.

“Studies have shown repeatedly that parents follow the practices they see in hospital maternity wards. By modeling infant safe sleep practice, Olean General Hospital is helping ensure infants born at the hospital have safe sleep environments,” she said.

Sleep-related death is the number one killer of infants one to 12 months of age in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 3,700 infants die each year while sleeping or napping. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the use of sleep sacks as the preferable method to keep babies safe while sleeping.

For more information on the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification program, visit www.cribsforkids.org/safesleephospitalcertification.

Upper Allegheny Health System is the parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. An integration of two prominent community hospitals in Southwestern New York state and Northwestern Pennsylvania, Upper Allegheny Health System’s goal is the enhancement of each hospital’s mission of care and service to their respective communities with the common goal of improving care, enhancing clinical programs and providing best-in-class service for various health needs.

Southern Tier Health Care System is a rural healthcare network serving Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Its mission is to improve the health and wellness or our rural communities.

Total Joint Replacement Class – 10 a.m., Aug. 1, 15, Olean General Hospital. Sessions provide information for those who are scheduled or are considering joint replacement surgery. For more information, or to register, call 716/375-7481.

Diabetes Education Workshop – 6-9 p.m., Aug. 9, 16, 23, Olean General Hospital Education Center. This comprehensive program offers education to assist people with diabetes to better manage the disease. An order from a medical provider is required; most insurances partially or completely cover the cost. For more information, call 375-4127.

Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers – 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Aug. 11, 29; 12-4 p.m., Aug. 17, Olean General Hospital Education Center. To register, call 716/375-6217.

Diabetes Support Group – 9:30 a.m., Aug. 14, Olean Public Library. For more information, call 716/375-4127.

American Red Cross Blood Drive – 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Aug. 16, Olean General Hospital’s Education Center. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-REDCROSS for appointments; walkins welcome.

Steven Jackson, currently regional executive director for YMCA of the Twin Tiers, has been appointed president of the Olean General Hospital Foundation, effective Oct. 13.

“Steve has a strong background in both operations and development as well as marketing and communications in the non-profit setting,” said Christopher Napoleon, OGH Foundation board chairman. “After an extensive search, we feel that his exceptional skills, strong background and local ties to the area fully prepare him to be successful in this position,” added Napoleon.

“I am very excited to have someone like Steve assume this position. He is an impressive and extraordinary person. His enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills along with the way he sincerely cares about people and healthcare will no doubt help him to advance the mission of the foundation,” said Napoleon.

Jackson holds a master’s degree in sports management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He was named branch manager of the Bradford Family YMCA in 2011. With the recent merger of Bradford, Pa., Olean and Wellsville, NY, into the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, he was promoted to regional executive director in 2014. Jackson and his wife, Erin, reside in Bradford with their son, Carter, and daughter, Kendyl.

“The search for the position was initiated when Karen Fohl, current foundation president, who has held this position for more than 20 years, expressed her desire to step down from her position as president of the foundation,” said Timothy Finan, president and CEO of Upper Allegheny Health System, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital. “Karen will assist with Steve’s onboarding after which she will continue to serve as vice president for institutional advancement assisting the hospital with the development of various projects and initiatives.”

“Certainly we are grateful for the leadership of Karen Fohl over these many years as president of the foundation and look forward to her continued service to OGH,” Finan said.

The center’s staff, pictured from left, include Arthur Goldstein, MD, Pierre Dionne, MD, Michele Cone, RN, WCC, Dodie Sturdevant, program manager, April Crisafulli, RN, WCC, Rebecca Wilber, CHS, Tammy Sheeley, RN. Not pictured, Safi Malik, MD, and Rabie Stephan, MD.

The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine at Olean General Hospital celebrated its 10th anniversary this summer. As part of the celebration, Wound Center staff held a contest and prize drawing for employees and open house.

The center opened July 20, 2007 to improve the quality of life for those with chronic, non-healing wounds due to burns, infected or traumatic wounds, pressure ulcers or any other wound that does not heal on its own after several weeks. In the last decade, staff have treated nearly 4,000 wound care and 157 hyperbaric oxygen therapy patients.

It is only one of two centers in western New York accredited as a level 1 site, meaning the center treats acute and chronic conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In 2016, the center received a special four-year accreditation with distinction for its hyperbaric oxygen services by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. OGH is the only hospital in western New York and one of only about 24 percent of facilities in the nation to earn accreditation with distinction.

Olean General Hospital is a member of Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, and part of Upper Allegheny Health System.