×

‘Gratitude’ flows as Westfield hospital celebrates 80 years

Rodney Buchanan, AHN Westfield Memorial Administrator and Helen Barn, chair of the board of directors, welcome guests to AHN Westfield Memorial — 80 Years of ‘Stepping Up’ for Our Community event.

WESTFIELD – Under brilliant blue skies, community members came out to celebrate AHN Westfield Memorial’s 80th Birthday and to participate in wellness and cancer screenings on the front lawn of the hospital last weekend.

The commemorative event also honored the hospital’s rich history of providing high quality healthcare for residents in the Chautauqua County region and beyond.

The fun-filled celebration for the whole family featured a close look at Emergency Service Vehicles from Westfield and Portland, while Magician Cris Johnson entertained young and old with magic tricks and balloon novelties.

Included in the celebration was a 5K walk led by Dr. Kathryn S. Bronstein, president of the WMH Foundation along with her sister, Diana Holt representing the hospital board of directors in an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle.

One hundred commemorative T-Shirts were given to the first 100 walk participants. Topping off the day were chances to win fabulous gift baskets and gift certificates donated by hospital associates, businesses and individual donors throughout the hospital’s service areas. Incredible raffle prizes (valued at $1,500) featured a 55″ LG HD Smart TV, Apple IPad, Apple Watch, Apple Airpods, and Nintendo Switch, were compliments of Fredonia Walmart and a Nexgrill 5 burner gas grill was donated by Home Depot.

Winners were announced by Abe Lincoln impersonator Ron Carley of Michigan who was here to celebrate “A Weekend with the Lincoln’s Festival.”

In addition, a Physician ‘Meet & Greet’ featuring Drs. Robert Berke and Russell Elwell were available for those seeking medical providers while hospital Chef Teri Brazill provided health cooking demonstrations.

Several healthy recipes were also distributed to guests to enjoy from their own kitchens.

“Our 80 year journey toward a healthier community has been one of commitment, care and progress. Our community hospital is so much more than a state-of-the-art facility; it is the sum of human effort from many including our associates, medical staff, volunteers and donors all working toward the common goal of assuring excellent healthcare for our residents for many years to come,” said WMH Administrator Rodney Buchanan.

AHN Westfield Memorial Board Chair Helen Baran joined Buchanan in welcoming guests and proudly spoke about the hospital’s 80 years of ‘stepping up’ for our community with its ever expanding high quality services under the auspices of Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health.

“One thing I would add to ‘Our Little Hospital That Could’ is we have heart and my heart is full of gratitude on this special day,” remarked Baran.

Buchanan’s event Co-chair Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, WMH Foundation Executive Director, also lauded the entire ‘Stepping Up’ Committee, hospital, Foundation and Auxiliary board members and hospital associates saying: “We remain grateful to the countless volunteers for their tireless efforts to provide such a vital and fun-filled event created to promote health and happiness for our entire community.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today