​The Chadwick Bay Service Unit of the Girl Scouts of the USA, troops 20258 and 20010 comprising Dunkirk, Brocton, Fredonia and Cassadaga, presented a very special gift to the first baby girl born at Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc.  October 31.  Every year, Girl Scouts around the world honor the memory of their founder, Juliette Gordon Low, on her birthday, October 31. 

The next scheduled celebration is Baby New Year, a local tradition that provides an assortment of gifts and services to the parents of the first baby born at the hospital in 2020.  To donate an item in support of this joyous occasion, contact Christina Goss at 363-3081 or cgoss@brookshospital.org.  ​

Brooks-TLC is again participating in the Rock Out Hunger food drive to benefit The Food Bank of WNY and Meals on Wheels for WNY – now known as Feed More WNY.  To help our less fortunate neighbors have a bountiful holiday season, please consider bringing in non-perishable food items to entryways at Brooks campus, TLC campus, Gowanda UC/Medical Center or LEMS/Fredonia between October 28 – November 15.

Quality healthcare is more than just a popular phrase. Quality in healthcare means providing the care the patient needs when the patient needs it, in an affordable, safe, effective manner. Quality healthcare also means engaging and involving the patient, so the patient takes ownership in preventive care and in the treatment of diagnosed conditions.  As the transition to value-based care moves forward, healthcare outcomes for the patient are more important than the number of patients seen during the day.

To accomplish these goals, the Quality Team at Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. works with patient care and relations, DNV compliance, risk management and safety, performance improvement.  The team develops strategic plans and policies for improved quality throughout the hospital and ensures compliance with regulatory agencies.
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Happy National Healthcare Quality Week to the Brooks-TLC Quality Team (front L:  Desi Clarke, R:  Jodi Witherell, Back L: Carrie Fix, Back R:  Michelle Procknal). 

Over 100 employees with five-year increments up to 45 years of service received awards.  Among those recognized from both the Brooks and TLC campuses, a combined 2135 years of service was tallied.

Kathryn Manning
It was April of 1973. “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” from Tony Orlando and Dawn was the number one radio hit.  A gallon of gas for your Chevy Vega or Volkswagen Beetle was $0.39 and Richard Nixon was the president of the United States - when Kathryn Manning (then, Kathryn Levy) was hired for a practical nursing position at Lake Shore Hospital.   Forty-six years later, Kathi is celebrated for her longevity with the hospital. 

Kathy was promoted to a full-time position as senior LPN on ICU and MedSurg in 1985, and later transferred to the Emergency Department 1989.  Through her tenure at Lake Shore, TLC, and now Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc., Kathi has been an integral part of the care provided in ICU, MedSurg, ER, Quality/Utilization Review, Long-term Care.  Later, in 1995 Kathi became a Registered Nurse and continued her career in other units including Cardiac Services, Nursing Supervision, and Urgent Care.  Her commitment to continuing education is demonstrated by her role in Staff Development as a trainer for CPR, ACLS, and PALS.  Currently, she practices her nursing skills in Chemical Dependency as part of the new inpatient program. 

In 2005, a letter was written to the President and CEO of TLC Health Network, Ronald Kraweic, commending Kathi and other members of her team in the Emergency Department and thanking them for saving a man’s life, twice.  Her enormous file in Human Resources contains repeated phrases throughout….”great worker, eager to learn, learns quickly, excellent instructor, reliable, dependable, flexible, knowledgeable, and caring.” 

Roseanne Mohney
Fast forward a year later to 1974 when after the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon became the first US president forced to resign from office.  The average home price was $10,990.  A gallon of gas increased to $0.55, and the average cost of a new car was $3,750.  What seems like a lifetime ago, another longtime employee, Roseanne Mohney would don a white nurse’s cap in April of that year to begin her career as an LPN. 

Roseanne studied hard to become a licensed RN in 1995 and achieved her career aspiration as an Emergency Department nurse.  Widely known – then and now - for always putting patients and families first, Roseanne’s compassionate and empathetic demeanor creates a sense of calm and peacefulness.  At the same time, she is always looking for ways to improve, to be innovative, and to aspire to high standards of care and practice. 

As a leader, Roseanne has held several officer positions in the Western NY Emergency Nurses Association and is currently president.  She retired from TLC as a full time RN in 2016, but remains actively involved in educating staff and the community in BLS, ACLS and PALS through the American Heart Association.  She is known to the EMS and first responder community throughout the Western New York and continues to be an inspiration to the nursing profession.  Now, 45 years later, colleagues agree that Roseanne exemplifies all of the attributes of a registered professional nurse. 

Diane Graves
In March 1973, Diane Graves (not shown in photograph) joined the nursing staff at Brooks Memorial Hospital.   Around this time, a mere $1.75 would buy you a ticket to see new movie releases, “The Sting”, “The Exorcist” or “American Graffiti”.   Average income per year $13,900 and the average cost of new house was $32,500.

Today, a Diane is an RN in the BMH surgery department where she is highly regarded as a mentor by colleagues.  Terms used to describe Diane are conscientious, dedicated service, cares for her patients, dependable, empathetic, great patient advocate, multi-tasker, supportive and would give the shirt off her back in the winter.
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Brooks-TLC Hospital System expresses gratitude to Kathi, Roseann, Diane and the many others who remain committed to helping transform the way care is delivered to meet the future health care needs of this community.

​In recognition of the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, Brooks-TLC will again partner with The Chautauqua Center for the 3rd annual Mammogrammys on 10/17 at the Clarion in Dunkirk.  All participants will receive a FREE clinical breast exam, and if needed, a FREE mammogram at BMH Imaging department courtesy of  Chautauqua County Cancer Services Program.  Plus FREE gift cards, manis, pedis, massage, food and music!  

​Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. hosted open house events at its newly remodeled Physical Therapy departments at both the Brooks and TLC campuses.  The enhanced PT spaces provide the opportunity to care for more patients and to improve the overall health care experience for those served. 

Each of the 27 members of the Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Inc. team joined co-workers to honor loved one whose lives have been affected by Alzheimer’s.  Regardless of the individual circumstances, all were in agreement that a cure is urgently needed.

The Brooks-TLC team joined 400 other walkers at The Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Point Gratiot Park on Saturday, September 21 for a 2-mile trek in memory of or in recognition of loved ones suffering with the degenerative brain disease.  Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. 

Team co-captains Michele Hallmark and Janis Szot helped raise almost $650 to create awareness and raise funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  “We had entire families sign up to walk for our team,” shared Janis.  She added “We wanted to help create memories for the young ones – pleasant family memories that will hopefully last them and others in their generation, a full lifetime”.   Michelle added, “I told my grandchildren we were walking for Grandpa Darwin.  I asked if they remembered him, and one of the little guys replied ‘He was tall.’ ”  A fine memory indeed. 
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
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Brooks-TLC is committed to engaging with the community we serve and regularly support educational, awareness, and fundraising events in northern Chautauqua County.  For more information about the hospital’s outreach programs, visit https://www.brookshospital.org/community-health.html.