Blog Posts

Seniors Find Balance for an Independent Lifestyle

9/24/2018

If you’re an older adult, issues such as vision or inner ear problems, osteoporosis, and weakened muscles can throw you off balance. Chances of falling are greatly diminished through interventions that help seniors remain independent and live longer, fuller lives.

To help seniors in our community stay balanced, the Brooks Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy Department offers a periodic Balance Clinic with staff specially trained and certified in balance and vestibular issues. The popular program consists of ten sessions aimed at providing participants with the right tools and activities to improve coordination, strength and postural control.

Help prevent a trip to the emergency room, or at worst….a life-changing injury. Beginning Tuesday, October 23, the clinic will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 noon to 1 p.m., for five consecutive weeks through November 22. Participants learn fun exercises in a supportive environment at First United Methodist Church of Fredonia, 25 Church St., Fredonia NY. Cost is only $13 for each day attended or $130 for all 10 classes. No physician referral is required. Please arrive 30 minutes early.

For more information or to register, visit www.brookshospital.org/upcoming-eventsclasses or call 363-3092.

New Your Health Hospital Patient Portal Coming October 1

9/13/2018

Hospital Registration to Begin New Process 10/1/18

9/5/2018

Paint Night to Benefit Patients at Both Campuses

7/3/2018

Explore your creativity at Brooks' most popular fun-raising event. Last year's fun-filled paint night, facilitated by Anne Davis, raised over $2200 for medical equipment and technology at the Brooks campus. This year, we've joined forces with our partners at TLC to host the event one night only! Tickets are selling quickly for the August 2nd get-together at St. Columbans on the Lake, Silver Creek. Reserve your spot today by calling 363-3313 or email swalier@brookshospital.org.

Today is the Day to Start Your Health Journey

6/29/2018

It's a beautiful day to reap abundant health benefits by taking a walk outside today - while helping others be healthy too. Today, from 9am - 2pm, visit the Unyts mobile blood unit in our visitor parking lot and donate greatly needed blood for your friends, family and neighbors in our community. All donors receive 2 flex passes to any Buffalo Bisons home game, plus free lunch!

While you're there, swing by our very own farmers' market to purchase fragrant, flavorful, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables brought to you by Richard Feinan Farms. Just look at those incredible colors. By purchasing food from a farmers' market, you help our local economy and give your body greater nutritional benefits - and food tastes fresher too.

Today is the day to start your health journey while helping others too!

Brooks-TLC Clinics Achieve NCQA PCMH Level 3 Recognition

6/25/2018

Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. has announced its Gowanda Medical Center and Forestville Primary Care Center have each achieved recognition as a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

PCMH is a model of care in which providers build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams. It emphasizes use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.

Recognition as a Level 3 PCMH demonstrates that the clinics have scored the highest grades in six standards set by the NCQA, including patient-centered access, team-based care; population health management, care management and support; care coordination and care transitions; performance measurement and quality improvement.

Gowanda Medical Center team: (L to R) Tracy Stevens, Director of Primary Care Services; Susan Caldwell, LPN; Cheryl Matern, Receptionist; Nancy Lance, Physician Assistant; Ken Morris, Brooks-TLC VP Operations. Missing from photo Danielle Alimonti, LPN and David Hallasey, MD.

Forestville Primary Care Center team: (L to R) Joel Yoviene, MD; Tracy Stevens, Director of Primary Care Services Andrea Kickbush, LPN; Michele Matyjakowski, LPN; Jackie Cortright, Receptionist; Ken Morris, Brooks-TLC VP Operations; Ronald Greco, MD. Missing from photo David Hallasey, MD.

“PCMH recognition is an important accomplishment and underscores our commitment to providing the very best care to our patients,” said Ken Morris, vice president of operations at Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. “I commend our physicians, advanced level providers and the entire staff for their exceptional work in providing safe, quality patient care.”

The National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA) seal is a widely recognized symbol of healthcare quality. Accredited providers face a rigorous set of more than 60 standards and must report on their performance in more than 40 areas in order to earn NCQA’s seal of approval. For consumers and employers, the seal is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high quality care and service.

NCQA recognition programs empower employers, health plans, patients and consumers to make informed heath care decisions based on quality. Participation in a NCQA recognition program demonstrates that the practice or clinician values quality health care delivery and the latest clinical protocols to ensure that patients receive the best care at the right time.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others. It was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts.

Brooks and TLC Announce Partnership with Unyts

6/19/2018

Beginning July 1, 2018 Unyts, WNY’s only organ, eye, tissue and community blood center, will become the primary provider of blood products for Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc., which includes Brooks Memorial Hospital and TLC Health.

Unyts “Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. is pleased to partner with Unyts’ Community Blood Service for all of our blood product needs,” said Mary LaRowe, president and CEO of Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. “Unyts has been servicing Western New York for more than 30 years through organ, eye and tissue donation, and blood services, enhancing lives across Western New York.

LaRowe said. “Blood is a large expense for hospitals. Through Unyts’ Community Blood Service, both new and existing blood donors have an opportunity to help local patients at our Brooks and TLC campuses, and the Gift of Life they are providing through blood products will help to save our organization much needed dollars. “All the blood collected by Unyts stays in Western New York for local patients in need,” she said.

Unyts will be holding three open-to-the-public blood drives in Dunkirk and Irving in June and July. To make an appointment please call 716.512.7940 or visit www.unyts.org and click on Donate Blood.

Friday, June 29th 9am-2pm at Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk
Friday, July 13th from 9am-2pm at TLC Health – Lake Shore Health Center, Irving
Tuesday, July 31st from 9am-2pm at Cattaraugus Reservation Volunteer Fire Dept.

If you are interested in hosting a blood drive for Unyts in your community or becoming a volunteer, please contact Amanda Farrell at 716.566.3925.

Inpatient Chemical Dependency Clinic Opens Next Week

5/29/2018

Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. has announced the opening of its 20-bed
inpatient chemical dependency unit at the Lake Shore Health Care Center in Irving, NY. With an official opening date set for June 4th, a ceremonial grand opening event featured welcoming remarks by New York State Senator Catharine Young, 57th senate district, Chautauqua County executive, George Borrello, and Katrina Fuller, representative of Congressman Tom Reed, 23rd congressional district.

Representatives from dozens of referring agencies were in attendance, including Office of Mental
Health, Bradford Regional Medical Center, Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Council, Erie County Probation, Horizon Health Services, Kaleida Health, Mental Health Association, The Chautauqua Center, Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Seneca Nation Behavioral Health.

“The creation of an inpatient unit expands the existing outpatient substance abuse disorder treatment program, and is part of an overall plan for the Brooks-TLC service offering at the TLC campus,” said Mary LaRowe, president and CEO of Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. She added, “Opioid addiction is considered a crisis in our community. In response TLC staff has been working tirelessly to create the right type of support needed by residents in our region.”

According to statistics provided by the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services, there have been close to 200 drug-related or drug overdose deaths in Chautauqua County since 2015. In addition, rates of death and emergency room visits for opioid overdoses are higher in Chautauqua County than the New York State average as reported in 2014-2016 (NYSDOH, New York State- County Opioid Quarterly Report for Counties outside NYC Published October 2016).

Designed with the principles of patient-centeredness in mind, the brand new facility features private rooms with attached half baths for every patient, extra wide corridors, a large common space/family area, and workout room. Programming includes medication assisted treatment, trauma informed care, individualized treatment planning, and provider collaboration. Transportation is available.

Admissions information is available by calling 951-7948.