Pictured from left are Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, executive director of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation and members of the 2019 WMHF executive committee Kathryn S. Bronstein, Ph.D., president of the WMHF and Robert Battaglin, vice-president of the WMHF. Missing from photo are Teresa L. Casler, WMHF treasurer and Kelly Dimitri, WMHF secretary. Submitted photo

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation has announced the success of its 2019 annual campaign, which raised an impressive $335,420.

The money will enable the foundation to continue to fulfill its mission of providing financial support for the delivery of high quality health care to the residents of the Chautauqua region.

Of the funds brought in, $133,000 came in the of form of grants, including fulfillment of earlier campaign promises for the WMH ED renovation and equipment, including Lake Shore Savings Bank, Community Bank, Carnahan-Jackson Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, The Hermance Family Foundation, The Robert S. and Janet L. Miller Family Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, The John R. Oishei Foundation, Ripley Community Heritage Fund, Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club, Allegheny Health Network, and the Walmart Foundation.

Contributing to the 2019 total were donations from WMH associates, members of the WMH medical staff, hospital, foundation and auxiliary board members, individuals, businesses, civic and service organizations, foundations and volunteers.

Leading the foundation board is President Kathryn S. Bronstein, Ph.D., who stated, “It is because of the Foundation’s treasured and loyal donors that the Foundation was able to surpass its campaign goal of $255,000 by more than $80,000. I know I speak for all those in the WMH family, especially the hospital and foundation board of directors, who remain grateful to everyone who provided financial support so that the foundation can deliver on its promise. It is those donors who make it possible for the residents of Chautauqua County to turn to us when they need help.”

In 2019, the foundation was able to fund close to $200,000 in equipment for various departments throughout the hospital, including the WMH Laboratory, Obstetrics, Operating Room and Radiology.

The hospital opened the doors to a new OB-GYN practice this past September with a new exam table and a fetal monitor in the Specialty Services Suite, funded by the monies raised.

Funds raised also resulted in the purchase of new stretchers, equipment to perform colonoscopies in the Operating Room, a new microscope, a Chemistry Analyzer, a Blood Bank System and a reagent refrigerator in the Laboratory.

It also funded the purchase of new wheelchairs used by patients throughout the hospital, an Ultrasound Probe Disinfection Unit in Radiology, and the continuation of a Diabetes Education program that is offered free of charge to those in need.

“A donation to the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is more than just a contribution – it’s a direct investment in the health of the residents both young and old who live in Chautauqua region throughout the hospital’s service area.” said WMH President Karen Surkala.

This 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 almost 42,000 patients in 2019.

“The communities served by the hospital are the pillars of each and every campaign,” said Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, WMH Foundation executive director. “The 2019 campaign was no exception. It was the generous support of the many individuals, countless businesses, churches, schools, foundations and service organizations that joined together in support of the hospital foundation’s mission that enabled us to achieve our goal.”

Westfield Memorial Hospital is part of AHN Saint Vincent Hospital, a member of the Allegheny Health Network.

As a not-for-profit entity, many of the critical health care services and advanced equipment funded by the hospital foundation are only possible because our dedicated community members remain loyal and constant supporters.

In addition to emergency care, the hospital provides an array of services, including ambulatory and short stay surgery, outpatient diagnostic services, physical therapy, cardiac rehab, imaging, women’s diagnostic services, digital mammography, laboratory, diabetes education, nuclear stress testing, wound and infusion clinics, inpatient care, laser eye surgery, a sleep lab, and a specialty services suite that includes general surgery, OB-GYN, orthopedics, cardiology and diversified hearing services. WMH also provides primary care services at the Chautauqua Institution.

“To continue its mission to lend the financial support for the delivery of high quality health care, these departments will look to the Foundation to provide funding for needed equipment,” Dr. Bronstein added.

For more information about how to give to this year’s annual campaign, please call WMHF executive director Patricia DiPalma at 793-2338, or visit at the foundation’s website at westfieldhospitafoundation.org.