The helipad project has been made possible by a donation of $40,000 from Dr. Hans Bergstrom and Barbara Bergstrom, who spend their summers in Chautauqua County and have come to appreciate the friendly and professional culture at Westfield Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Bergstrom was for many years the editor in chief of the leading newspaper in Sweden, Dagens Nyheter, while Barbara is the founder of International English Schools, currently operating 46 free schools in Sweden and seven schools in Spain.

Members of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, along with hospital and auxiliary board members, applauded the Bergstroms for their continued and generous support of the hospital foundation’s mission to keep AHN Westfield Hospital on the cutting edge of patient care.

Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, WMH Foundation executive director, also remains grateful to the Bergstroms.

A new concrete helipad at AHN Westfield is marked with an enlarged “H” to aid regional air medical helicopters pilots to zero in on the hospital to provide urgent care transportation.

“Barbara and Hans are extraordinary and true citizens of the world,” DiPalma said. “No matter where their extensive travels may take them, they hear a call and try to answer it or see a need and try to fix it.”

DiPalma added, “Our community hospital is able to continue to provide quality healthcare to all because of valued donors like the Bergstroms. We are lucky to call them ‘dear friends’ who truly understand the enormity of our mission. Their generous gifts to the hospital Foundation will undoubtedly help to save lives now and well into the future.”

Hospital and foundation leaders noted that the new concrete helipad, located a short distance from the emergency department entrance, is marked with an enlarged “H” to aid regional air medical helicopters pilots to zero in on the hospital to provide urgent care transportation.

“The new concrete helipad is a valuable asset for AHN Westfield Hospital and is a very visible sign of progress as we continue to look for ways we can expand and improve quality health care throughout Chautauqua County,” said Dr. Rodney Buchanan, WMH administrator. “The decision to refurbish the helipad was based on a desire to better serve critically ill patients when they need us most.”

Many are familiar with the hospital foundation’s mission and how it helps the hospital remain on the cutting edge of patient care. Now in its 45th Anniversary year, the WMH Foundation, via its generous donors, continues its philanthropy by promoting outstanding health care.

For those who would like to learn more about the hospital foundation or to give to the annual campaign, contact Patty DiPalma at patricia.dipalma@ahn.org; call 716-793-2338 or visit the foundation’s website at: www.westfieldhospitalfoundation.org

Westfield Memorial Hospital is a member of the Allegheny Health Network.