State EMS Council![]() This week, I attended the State EMS Council in Troy, NY. I participated in several committee meetings and learned more about what is happening in EMS throughout the state. Additionally, I have requested to be appointed as a member of the Finance Subcommittee and look forward to hearing back on my request. It was great to have so much representation of the Southwestern Region at the meeting, which included Dr. Brian Walters, Mickey Forness, Todd Reisner, Scott Lanphier, Dan Marsh, Alicia Broadbent, and myself. Workforce Development![]() Yesterday I participated in a Community Healthcare Conversation on Workforce Development: Diversity, Recruitment, Training & Retention. The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Community Relations team led this interactive discussion. I presented on our Southern Tier EMT-B Academy that the foundation funds. The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funding has enabled us to host three academies, resulting in 26 newly certified EMT-Bs in our catchment. I look forward to continuing this success with future academies. Narcan at Salamanca City Central School District![]() Southern Tier Health Care System (STHCS) and Salamanca City Central School District have partnered to increase the accessibility of Narcan on the school’s campus by adding two intranasal Narcan doses to each public access AED. The school district has 6 AEDs on campus and two at their Vet’s Park location. Stickers notifying individuals that there is Narcan located in the AEDs were placed in the window of each AED and on the directional signs when entering the buildings. An AED is a perfect location for Narcan – it is easily accessible and sounds an alarm alerting others when the door is opened. As well as adding Narcan to all the AEDs, STHCS trained 73 staff members of the Salamanca City Central School District on how to administer Narcan and the steps to take in case of an opioid overdose. If any school district in the area would also like to increase Narcan availability and/or train their staff, please reach out to Jordan Yaros, 716-372-0614 ext. 210, [email protected] SUNY JCC Partners With UPMC on Paramedic Program![]() I am happy to share that an agreement was reached between SUNY JCC and UPMC to roll out a new program for students looking to gain their paramedic certification. The agreement will allow students who enroll in the Regional Paramedic Program to also work toward an associate degree from SUNY JCC. I want to thank Brian Wilcox for his hard work in completing this agreement before our next program is scheduled to begin in January! Cattaraugus Gives![]() This Tuesday, STHCS participated in Cattaraugus Gives. We raised $1,150 from 48 different donors and won the Backyard Bargain Hour prize of $500 for the organization that receives donations from the most donors between 3 and 4 p.m., which Worth W. Smith sponsored. Thank you to all who donated, and thank you to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation and our sponsor Worth W. Smith for another successful Giving Tuesday! |
ABOUTDonna Kahm has served as President and CEO at STHCS since January 2007. |