Standing from left are Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Committee Members: Secretary Colleen Meeder, President Kathryn Bronstein, Executive Director Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, Immediate past-treasurer, Christine Adams, and Vice-President Jon Northrop who gathered at its February Board meeting to celebrate another successful fundraising year thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s many donors and community partners. Missing from the photo is WMHF Treasurer Dan Hocking.

The Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors (BOD) is pleased to announce the success of its 2025 fundraising efforts, raising nearly $255,000 in support of high-quality, local healthcare for the residents across the region.

This achievement was made possible through generous grants from Five Star Bank, Lake Shore Bank, the Lenna Foundation, M&T Charitable Foundation, the Robert S. and Janet L. Miller Family Foundation, the Ripley Community Heritage Fund, and the Jessie C. Wilson Memorial Trust. Additional support came from WMH associates, medical staff, Foundation, hospital and auxiliary board members, individuals, businesses, civic and service organizations, and other community partners.

Foundation Board President Kathryn S. Bronstein, Ph.D., who has led the board since 2018, emphasized the importance of community support in rural healthcare. “In rural areas, healthcare is personal – and this year demonstrated just how deeply our neighbors care for one another,” said Bronstein. “Every contribution helps keep essential services local, supports our caregivers, and improves access to care for families throughout our region.”

To date, the Foundation has allocated donations from 2025 to fund equipment and systems improvements throughout the hospital. Investments include three new treatment tables for the Physical Therapy (PT) Department, a slim design colonoscope in the Operating Room (OR), and Operating Room (OR) light repairs, and supplies supporting breast cancer awareness initiatives in the Radiology Department. On-going efforts to acquire new treadmills and recumbent elliptical bicycles in the PT Department along with new flooring in the Med Surg area on the second floor of the hospital continue.

“This past year proved that being a good neighbor is more than a phrase – it’s action,” Bronstein added.

Hospital Administrator, Dr. Rodney J. Buchanan, noted the direct impact fundraising has on patient care. “In a rural area, keeping care local means everything,” Buchanan said.

The hospital’s service area includes Ashville, Bemus Point, Brocton, Chautauqua, Clymer, Dewittville, Findley Lake, Mayville, Panama, Portland, Ripley, Sherman, Stockton, and Westfield as well as visitors to our region. The hospital served close to 32,000 patients in 2025.

Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, Executive Director of the WMH Foundation, highlighted the community’s response to the campaign.

“The positive response to the 2025 campaign reflects the strength of our community and shared belief in neighbors helping neighbors, said DiPalma. We are fortunate to benefit from the resources of the larger Allegheny Health Network while maintaining the trust, accessibility, and personal connection of a local community hospital. Many critical services and advanced equipment are only possible because of continued donor support through the Foundation,” DiPalma continued.

Earlier this month, the hospital introduced new outpatient MRI services, reducing the need for patients – particularly seniors – to travel out of town for care.

Westfield Memorial Hospital remains committed to protecting access to healthcare across Chautauqua County, while the WMH Foundation, now in its 47th year, continues its mission of strengthening local care through community support.

For more information about how to give to this year’s Annual Campaign, please contact Patricia DiPalma at (716) 793-2338.

Contributions to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation are tax-deductible and can be made securely online at: www.westfieldhospitalfoundation.org.

Checks may be made payable to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation or the WMH Foundation and mailed to 189 East Main Street, Westfield, NY, 14787.