Rodney Buchanan, Administrator of the AHN Westfield Memorial, and Helen Barn, Chair of the Board, welcome guests to the AHN Westfield Memorial — 80 Years of ‘Stepping Up for Our Community’ event.
WESTFIELD — Under a brilliant blue sky this past weekend, parishioners came out to celebrate the 80th anniversary of AHN Westfield Memorial and attend wellness and cancer screenings on the hospital’s front lawn.
The memorial also recognized the hospital’s rich history in providing quality healthcare to residents of the Chautauqua County area and beyond.
The fun family celebration featured emergency vehicles from Westfield and Portland under the microscope while magician Cris Johnson entertained young and old with magic tricks and balloon novelties.
Part of the celebration was a 5km walk led by Dr. Kathryn S. Bronstein, President of the WMH Foundation, along with her sister, Diana Holt, as the hospital board representative to promote healthy lifestyles.
The first 100 hikers were given 100 souvenir T-shirts. The day concluded with a chance to win fabulous gift baskets and gift certificates donated by hospital staff, corporations and individual donors from across the hospital’s service areas. Incredible raffle prizes (worth $1,500) included a 55-inch LG HD Smart TV, Apple IPad, Apple Watch, Apple Airpods and Nintendo Switch, compliments from Fredonia Walmart and a Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill was donated by Home Depot.
The winners were announced by Abe Lincoln impersonator Ron Carley from Michigan, who was here to celebrate “A weekend with the Lincoln’s Festival.”
There is also a “Meet & Greet” for doctors with Dr. Robert Berke and Russell Elwell were available to those seeking medical providers, while hospital chief Teri Brazill gave healthy cooking demonstrations.
Also, several healthy recipes were distributed to guests to enjoy from their own kitchen.
“Our 80-year journey toward a healthier community has been one of dedication, care and progress. Our community hospital is so much more than a state-of-the-art facility; It is the culmination of the human efforts of many, including our staff, medical workers, volunteers and donors, all working towards the common goal of providing our residents with excellent healthcare for many years to come.” said WMH Administrator Rodney Buchanan.
Helen Baran, Chair of the AHN Westfield Memorial Board, joined Buchanan in welcoming the guests and speaking proudly of the hospital’s 80 year “strengthening” to our community with its ever-growing quality services under the auspices of the Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Health.
“One thing I want to add to ‘Our Little Hospital That Could’ is that on this special day we have hearts and my heart is filled with gratitude.” remarked Baran.
Patricia Gaughan DiPalma, Co-Chair of the Buchanan Event, Executive Director of the WMH Foundation, also commended the entire Stepping Up Committee, the board members of the hospital, foundation and charities, and the hospital staff, saying: “We remain grateful to the countless volunteers for their tireless efforts to provide such a vital and fun event, created to promote health and happiness for our entire community.”
