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Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is operational with the use of its generator system. However, the following Cole community health centers and departments are closed today-- Smethport, Central Potter, Galeton and Westfield as well as the following Coudersport offices: The Patterson Cancer Center, Wellness Center, Champion Orthopedics, and Women’s Health Dept. Patients will be called to reschedule today's appointments. The Express Care unit at Cole Memorial Hospital will be open during its normal hours from 4-8 p.m. Until electricity is restored to the Coudersport area, local residents that require electric nebulizer or oxygen services may visit Cole Memorial Hospital for care. (Please use the E.R. entrance after 9 p.m.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

An Eldred teenager was hurt in an accident Tuesday afternoon on Route 155, just north of Port Allegany. Police say 18-year-old Marissa Olson tried to pull her SUV over to allow traffic behind her to pass her. The tires of the vehicle hit a large concentration of winter ash chips on the shoulder and the SUV started fishtailing. The SUV went off the road, hit three fences and an embankment. Olson was taken by ambulance to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

COUDERSPORT -- Ed Pitchford, president and CEO of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, (CCMH) is the recipient of the 2012 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Advocate Award for Excellence for providing leadership and advocacy for nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania. Each year, the AANP recognizes a nurse practitioner (NP) and a nurse practitioner advocate in each state. The advocacy award recognizes the efforts of individuals, other than nurse practitioners, who have made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and acceptance of the nurse practitioner profession. Patti Thum, CRNP at Charles Cole Memorial’s Northern Potter Health Center in Ulysses, stated that the 2012 State Award for Excellence nomination noted that Mr. Pitchford is supportive of independent Nurse Practioners’ practices and he values their ability as primary care providers, as demonstrated by his recent development of an institutional policy change at CCMH. Additionally, Mr. Pitchford assisted...

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport has broken ground on its $4 million 6,600-square-foot emergency room renovation project. The construction of a separate walk-in and ambulance entrance will allow convenient access to the E.R. from the hospital’s west entrance for the nearly 10,000 patients that visit the ER each year. The new design also incorporates new rooms for private treatment and exams, an isolation exam room, a dedicated triage area, a private bereavement room, a comfortable waiting room with 20 additional seats, and an updated nurses’ station and doctors’ office. The project is expected to be finished late next year. The current emergency department will continue to operate 24/7 during construction. Pictured during today's groundbreaking ceremonies are, from left, Ed Hardesty, executive director of Ancillary Services; Tom Noe, executive director of Corporate Support Services; Emily Myers, director of Emergency Services; Jeanette Smith, RN for the Emergency Depar...

An Emporium woman was hurt in a two-vehicle crash Saturday on Route 155 in Shippen Township. Police say 77-year-old Joan Klinestiver was pulling out of her driveway and did not yield the right-of-way to a vehicle driven y 21-year-old Keith Bailey of St. Marys. Bailey’s vehicle hit the driver’s side of Klinestiver’s car. Klinestiver was taken by ambulance to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Bailey was not hurt but his vehicle had major front-end damage.

Jennifer Middaugh, Charles Cole’s first nurse midwife, has joined the practice of Dr. Celso Backes and Dr. Max Laurore. Jennifer will focus on prenatal care, birth, postpartum care, and gynecologic and reproductive health. Before coming to Charles Cole, she worked as a registered nurse, certified childbirth educator and maternity staff nurse preceptor at Jones Memorial Hospital. She holds an associate’s degree in nursing from Jamestown Community College, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Jacksonville University, and a master’s degree in midwifery from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 274-7101.

Dr. Hongye Li has joined Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s pediatric staff at its offices in Coudersport and Emporium where she will work with Dr. Mary Ann Rigas, Dr. Marlene Wust-Smith, and physician assistants Korin Trumpie and Kathy Fragale. After completing her medical education, including a fellowship in pediatric nephrology, in China, she has worked as a nephrology research scientist at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She completed pediatric residencies at Richmond University Medical Center in NY. Throughout her career, she has written numerous articles and conducted numerous studies for which she’s earned awards. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/274-9198 or 486-0810.

Dr. Ramani Arya has joined the staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Bowman Health Center as a family physician. “Dr. Arya is a kind, friendly and highly qualified provider. She is looking forward to meeting and caring for the residents of Smethport,” said Rose Bunch, physician recruiter. Dr. Arya earned a medical degree at Kasturba Medical College and completed a family medicine residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Before joining CCMH’s medical staff, she cared for patients at family medicine group practices in Olean and Salamanca. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/887-5395.

Dr. Michael Kavounas is now offering chiropractic services at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Port Allegany Community Health Center. “The hospital is expanding its menu of services at the Port Allegany Health Center by adding chiropractor Dr. Kavounas to the staff of professional providers. With Dr. Kavounas’ training and experience, this will bring another value added service to our patient population,” said Dennis Geitner, executive director, surgical and rehabilitation services. Dr. Kavounas earned bachelor’s degrees in athletic training/sports medicine and physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate of chiropractic at Logan College of Chiropractic. Before joining the staff at CCMH, he provided physical therapy and chiropractic care to patients in Pennsylvania and Ohio including owning clinics in Oil City, Allentown and Cleveland. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/642-5076. ...

The recognition is held annually May 6-12, concluding on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This year’s theme was “Nurses Trusted to Care.” The purpose of the week long celebration is to raise awareness of the value of nursing and help educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting the healthcare needs of the public. CCMH events included the traditional wear white day and blessing of the hands. CCMH chief nurse executive Cindi Hardesty thanked all CCMH nurses “for making a difference in our communities.” Photos courtesy of CCMH

A representative from Emporium’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation residents to deliver Easter cards this week. Program organizer Sissy Miller delivers the “sunshine cards” throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor and Grove House. Pictured, from left, are Eva Connors and Sissy Miller. Courtesy of CCMH

Bill Sallade presents a check to Marcia Austin, Theresa Robinson and Kari Karpinski at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Patterson Cancer Care Center. The funds will benefit patients at the PCCC and were raised during the fourth annual Kathy Sallade Memorial 9-ball Pool Tournament in February. Mrs. Sallade loved pool and always thought of others before herself, even while undergoing cancer treatment. The annual tournament will continue to benefit PCCC patients. To donate toward the fund, contact CCMH’s fund development at 274-5204. Courtesy of CCMH

Amy Sorg, CRNP, has joined the staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital and will care for patients at the Eldred Health Center. Appointments can be made by calling 814/225-4241. Sorg earned associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Pennsylvania State University. She earned a master’s degree in the family nurse practitioner program at the University of South Alabama. Most recently, she worked as an emergency room nurse at Elk Regional Health Center. She is a member of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses and American Nurses Association.

Christian McMonigal, Jr., PA-C, in cooperation with Lisa Tabbit D.O., will staff the facility Monday through Friday, focusing on primary medical care for the entire family. Patients can schedule appointments by calling 814/274-5577 from 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Same day appointments can be scheduled. After hour coverage will be provided by Express Care, CCMH’s walk in treatment center, located on the main floor of the Irwin Medical Arts Center at CCMH. "We are pleased to bring two competent and caring family medicine providers to Coudersport and to re-open the former office of Howard Miller, M.D. who had a long history of caring for area residents at that location. Dr. Miller will continue to care for adult patients at the hospital in association with his internal medicine partners. I'm confident that area residents will be pleased with the care available by Dr. Tabbit and Christian McMonigal," said Ed Pitchford, presi...

A representative from Emporium's Emmanuel Episcopal Church visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital's Skilled Nursing and Rehab residents to deliver Valentine's Day cards this week. Program organizer Sissy Miller delivers the "sunshine cards" throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Grove House, and Elk Regional Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Harold Lias and Sissy Miller. Photo courtesy of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital

Erie, PA- In just two months, significant progress has been made in providing greater access to advanced medical care to four regional hospitals thanks to a federal grant awarded to Hamot Medical Center in late summer. Then Representative Kathy Dahlkemper presented Hamot with the $99,000 Health and Human Services grant in mid-September, a grant for which Hamot applied with Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, Elk Regional Health Center in St. Marys, Kane Community Hospital in Kane and Bradford Regional Medical Center in Bradford. The grant was requested specifically to help facilitate transportation of critically ill patients. The cache of equipment was ordered and was delivered Friday, January 21st to each of the rural hospital, where it will be permanently located. The equipment includes an Alaris IV pump and tubing, CPAP and ventilators for EMS which feature bipap. Each of the hospitals received this cache of equipment so EMS units can borrow them from the regional ...

State Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25) today announced the release of $1 million in state assistance for the renovation of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport. Scarnati said the funding is being made available through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which is intended to assist in the immediate creation of quality, family-sustaining jobs. Funding will be used to renovate and expand the Emergency Department and Surgical Suite at the hospital. Charles Cole Memorial Hospital is the largest employer in Potter County and this assistance will aid in the retention of 733 jobs, as well as the creation of an additional 33 new employment opportunities. “I am extremely pleased to be able to announce this assistance for our area. This project will help to promote economic development and improve the overall access to quality healthcare in this rural region of the Commonwealth,” said Scarnati. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program requires applicants to demonstrate they hav...

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital welcomed the first baby of the new year January 1. Delanie Rae Perry was born at 3:20 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds, 8.6 ounces. Delanie’s parents are Erika Benson and Uriah Perry of Port Allegany. Maternal grandparents are Karen Haldaman of Port Allegany and Mark Benson of Coudersport. Maternal great grandparents are Irvin and Kay Saler of Coudersport. Paternal grandparents are Randall and Tracy Tucker of Roulette. Paternal great grandmother is Joeleen Kelly of Roulette.

Representatives from the Cameron County Family Center’s Share the Love program visited Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing and Rehab residents to deliver holiday cards this week. Program organizers Kris Fapore and Sissy Miller deliver holiday cards throughout the year and also visit residents at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor, Grove House, and Elk Regional Medical Center. Pictured, from left, are Sissy Miller and Janice Green. Photo courtesy of CCMH

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Heart of Cole Community Connections employee giving club donated $200 to senior centers throughout CCMH’s service area in Potter, McKean, Cameron and northwestern Tioga counties this holiday season. Pictured for the check presentation to the Potter County Senior Centers are, from left, Jennifer Rossman, HOC committee member; Anna Fair, HOC committee member; Sue Smith, Coudersport Senior Center; Betty Kurtz, Galeton Senior Center; and Patrice Levavasseur, HOC committee member. Ginny Steadman from Ulysses and Kathy Anders from Oswayo Valley senior centers were not available for the photo. The HOC Community Connections fund also donated to Meals on Wheels programs in Potter, McKean and Cameron counties. Photo courtesy of CCMH