Jamestown — The WCA Foundation has awarded a historic grant of $770,441 to UPMC Chautauqua—the largest allocation in the Foundation’s 44-year history. This funding represents the spendable earnings from endowed funds held by the Foundation and underscores its long-standing commitment to advancing local health care.

The WCA Foundation’s mission is to enhance patient care through philanthropic support to UPMC Chautauqua, ensuring the hospital has the resources necessary to deliver expert, timely, and compassionate medical care to all residents of Chautauqua County.

Thanks to the generosity of community donors, the WCA Foundation has had a profound impact on health care in the community. Grant funding has supported the acquisition of vital medical equipment, expanded cancer and cardiac care services, strengthened mental health and substance use programs, enhanced emergency services, provided scholarships, and promoted healthy beginnings for new parents and newborns. Over the past 44 years, the WCA Foundation has contributed more than $15 million in grant funding to drive innovation and sustain essential medical services. The Foundation’s priority in their criteria of giving clearly maintains its mission to support patient care.

Tracy Gates, President of UPMC Chautauqua, expressed her appreciation to the Foundation and its leadership for this significant investment. She emphasized, “These funds are critical to the health of the community and play a vital role in delivering effective, high-quality care for local patients.”  Ms. Gates highlighted the key purchases supported by the WCA Foundation 2025 allocation.

  • Autoclave– Supports safe, sterile processing of medical instruments to protect patients and staff and maintain the highest standards of infection prevention.
  • Handheld Vscan Ultrasound– Provides rapid, bedside imaging that helps clinicians make quicker, more informed decisions at the point of care.
  • Endoscopy Anesthesia Equipment– Enhances patient comfort and safety during endoscopic procedures while supporting efficient, high‑quality care.
  • Baby Pod– Improves thermal stability and protection for newborns during transport, supporting safer starts for our smallest patients. This allows babies to be transported with their mothers from nearby hospitals.
  • Paramedic Training Manikins (Respiratory & High‑Acuity Maternity)– Strengthens hands‑on training for emergency responders, improving preparedness for critical respiratory emergencies and complex maternity situations.

Emergency Family Consult Room An Emergency Room Family Consult Room provides a private, quiet space where families can receive difficult news, grieve, and ask questions with dignity after the loss of a loved one. This dedicated space helps reduce emotional distress and improve family satisfaction during one of the most difficult moments they will experience.

The GE Voluson Ultrasound System – Strengthens the hospital’s women’s health services by delivering clearer, more advanced imaging that supports earlier and more confident diagnoses for mothers and babies. This technology enhances quality of care, improves the patient experience, and helps clinicians provide the highest standard of prenatal and gynecologic care for our community.

Kristin Melville, Executive Director of the WCA Foundation, expressed her gratitude to the Foundation’s board, community donors, and the individuals and families who have established endowments in support of the hospital. She noted, “The generosity, foresight, and commitment of donors have been instrumental in anticipating the evolving health care needs of the community and ensuring UPMC Chautauqua will continue to have the resources necessary to serve patients well into the future.”

Create an endowment to honor the memory of a loved one that will grow and endure, contact the WCA Foundation and learn how a small contribution can serve an entire community. Contact Kristin Melville, Executive Director, WCA Foundation, melvillek@upmc.edu or 716-664-8665. The WCA Foundation is a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization.