×

Rotary Club Meets Remotely, Discusses Volunteer Needs

The Rotary Club of Jamestown met remotely by Zoom recently.

Amy Rohler shared with the club the need for volunteers. The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County usually posts its volunteer listings one week out, allowing people to see the current need through the present week into the next. Volunteers will receive a weekly text message from Cynde Johnson, resource development and marketing coordinator, with an updated schedule/time slots.

Cheri Maytum-Krull, club president, then inducted three new members: Mary Schiller, sponsored by Joni Blackman; Elizabeth Cipolla, sponsored by Tory Irgang; and Eric Harvey, sponsored by Justin Hanft.

Schiller was born in Oil City and lived in Harrisburg. She attended Duke University for her undergraduate work and received her law degree from the State University at Buffalo School of Law. She is part owner of the firm Fessenden, Laumer and DeAngelo, specializing in personal injury law. She lives in Mayville with her husband and two dogs.

Cipolla is returning for membership in the club for a second time. She is a human resource professional with Decision Associates. Cipolla lives in Lakewood with her husband, who is the superintendent of Westfield Academy and Central School, and their three children, who attend Southwestern Central.

Harvey is a resident of Jamestown. He and his wife have a 4-month-old daughter. Harvey is a financial advisor with The Alliance Advisory Group.

Megan Barone, director of development at UPMC Chautauqua, introduced Cecil Miller, CEO of UPMC Chautauqua. Miller and his wife Lisa have three children and he has worked for UPMC for more than 20 years.

Miller started by assuring the membership that the hospital was well-prepared for the worst case scenario of difficulties from the COVID-19 virus. As of late April, the county had seen 28 cases, with three deaths and a 2% positivity test rate.

Miller said he was is pleased that UPMC is well prepared with Personal Protective Equipment having a plentiful supply of masks and gowns. The hospital also has a supply of rapid tests that return results in 45 to 60 minutes.

This is especially helpful when someone presents themselves with full blown symptoms, they can be tested and the hospital can quickly move the patient into a negative pressure environment and take much more extensive precautions.

The hospital moved quickly at the start of the pandemic and closed the facility to visitors. People entering the hospital are required to have their temperature taken and to wear a facial mask.

Hospital finances have been deeply affected as 80% of all surgeries have been postponed. It has been important for the hospital to be able to perform rapid testing for the virus on patients who may need emergency surgery.

Miller received compliments on the way the hospital has continued to manage patients for blood tests and other testing, making sure only one person at a time is in the testing area.

Miller said physician recruitment is continuing and he is anticipating that a medical oncologist is scheduled to arrive in the spring along with two orthopedic surgeons. He attributes that to the association of the hospital with a major medical center UPMC.

The CEO was questioned about people being discouraged from going to the ER with symptoms of COVID 19. Miller responded how important it is to keep anyone with active symptoms away from the hospital until or unless aggressive intervention is necessary.

Miller said he is pleased that they have been able to provide the proper equipment and protection to the staff who are working so hard to keep everything under control.

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? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today