Photo Caption: Kristin Melville, executive director at the WCA Foundation presents the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Scholarship to UPMC Chautauqua School of Radiology student, Courtney Williams.
Jamestown – Courtney Williams received the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Scholarship award of $500 from the WCA Foundation. Williams is a student at UPMC Chautauqua School of Radiology. She will graduate in June 2026. She currently is a lead phlebotomist at UPMC Chautauqua.
The late Rosemary Billquist held a long and distinguished career as a health information medical specialist at the WCA Hospital. Upon her death, her family and co-workers created the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Scholarship Fund from the proceeds of many community events and generous donations from her co-workers. Rosie, as she was known, will be remembered as a kind and caring person who always went out of her way to help others. The scholarship fund supports UPMC Chautauqua employees who are advancing their healthcare careers.
Kristin Melville, Executive Director, WCA Foundation remarked, “We’re so proud to award UPMC Chautauqua staff with financial support to build upon their knowledge and experience. It’s an investment in caring for our community.”
The WCA Foundation celebrates 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. To contribute to the Rosemary Billquist Memorial Scholarship at the WCA Foundation contact the foundation’s office at 716-664-8665 or visit wcafoundationjamestown.org.
Photo Caption: Desiree Luong, receives the Vivian Wettingfeld Memorial Nursing Scholarship presented by Bethany Anderson BSN, MBA, WCA Foundation board member.
Jamestown– Desiree Luong received a scholarship of $640 from the Vivian Wettingfeld Memorial Nursing Scholarship endowment at the WCA Foundation. Luong began her career as a patient care technician at UPMC Chautauqua. She is a recent graduate from the Jamestown Community College School of Nursing, Class of May 2025. She will pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Luong was inspired by her grandmother whom she cared for after her grandmother lost her vision.
Luong’s career nursing goals closely match those of the late Vivian Wettingfeld, who attended the former WCA Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Mrs. Wettingfeld worked in surgery and later worked in her husband’s medical practice. Her nursing career spanned over 40 years. Her impact in the field of nursing inspired her husband, Dr. Robert Wettingfeld to create a nursing education endowment at the WCA Foundation in her memory.
Kristin Melville, executive director, WCA Foundation remarked, “We’re so proud to award UPMC Chautauqua staff with financial support to build upon their knowledge and experience. It’s an investment in meeting the health care needs of our community.”
The WCA Foundation celebrates 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. To create an endowment or enhance current educational scholarships visit wcafoundationjamestown.org or contact the foundation’s office at 716-664-8665.
Photo Caption: Kristin Melville, WCA Foundation Awards Makensie Bessie, UPMC Chautauqua staff with the Karen Ross Crossley Scholarship. Bessie is pursuing a degree in Respiratory Therapy at Mercyhurst University
Jamestown – The WCA Foundation awarded $720 in scholarship funds from the Karen Ross Crossley Memorial Scholarship to Makensie Bessie, a Respiratory Care Assistant at UPMC Chautauqua. Bessie is a Respiratory Therapist student at Mercyhurst University. She will graduate in 2027.
The Karen Ross Crossley Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Respiratory Care. Crossley held many positions at the WCA Hospital throughout her 30 years of dedicated service. She began working in the cafeteria as a high school student before becoming an LPN in the Intensive Care Unit. She went on to pursue a degree as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. She was well respected for her vast knowledge in her field and patient advocacy. Upon her death, Karen’s family and hospital colleagues established the Karen Ross Crossley Memorial Scholarship Fund at the WCA Foundation. Kristin Melville, Executive Director at the WCA Foundation presented the scholarship. She said, “Today Karen’s fund affords new opportunities for students following her career path. Her legacy continues and supports a new generation of health care professionals at UPMC Chautauqua.”
The WCA Foundation celebrates 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. FMI: Visit wcafoundationjamestown.org or contact the foundation’s office at 716-664-8665.
Photo: L to R: Megan Barone, Development Director and Tammara Hodges Imaging Director, both from UPMC Chautauqua; Dave Foti and Dave Munella, Italian American Charity Golf Association (IA); Kristin Melville, Executive Director, WCA Foundation; Peter Morgante, IA; Joe Paterniti, IA, and Nabeela Patel, M.D. Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Jamestown.
Jamestown, NY, May 13, 2025 – Mammography services at UPMC Chautauqua will soon be enhanced by a $1.3 million investment that will improve care, promote early detection of breast cancer, and reduce patient wait times by expanding mammography services.
“UPMC Chautauqua continues to invest in the community’s health care needs through various services and equipment,” said Kristin Melville, executive director of WCA Foundation. “We are fortunate to secure funding for these important improvement projects through various grants and generous donors.”
One major contributor to the project is the Italian American Charity Golf Association organization, which recently donated more than $67,000 toward a new 3D mammography system with AI-powered analytics that will provide the highest-resolution 3D images to accelerate screening and analysis.
The equipment will be included in the mammography expansion project, which is expected to be completed over the next year. This brings their total contribution to the project to $140,000.
“The Italian American Charity Golf Association is dedicated to fundraising efforts that support local cancer care in our community. Recognizing the importance of early detection in the treatment process, we believe that designating our funding will provide those affected by cancer with a better quality of life,” said Dave Munella, chair, Italian American Charity Golf Association. “Our community greatly benefits from the generous contributions of local businesses and individuals who continue to support this cause. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who stands behind these efforts.”
The organization’s annual charity golf tournament began in 1971 and has provided over $1.65 million to UPMC Chautauqua and WCA Foundation. Some of those projects include:
“We are grateful to our friends at the IA for their commitment to helping us fight cancer,” said Melville. “They believe that advancements in therapies and technologies have enhanced the quality of life for cancer patients, and they will continue to support these advancements.”
Golf tournament dates are June 6 through 8. Anyone is welcome to watch the tournament being held at Holiday Valley, Ellicottville, NY. You can find more information about the Italian American Charity Golf Association and how you can help support the fight against cancer through a donation link: Italian-American Charity Golf Association | Fighting Cancer since 1971. All proceeds stay local.
Picture: Phil Messina awards Jenny Rader, RN with a scholarship award from his late wife’s fund at the WCA Foundation.
Jamestown – The WCA Foundation awarded $720 in scholarship funds from the Mary Lou Messina Memorial Nursing Scholarship to Jenny Rader, RN. Rader celebrates 16 years as a Nurse at UPMC Chautauqua Women and Maternity Center. She is pursuing her studies to become a Certified Midwife from the Frontier Nursing University. She will graduate in 2028.
The Mary Lou Messina Memorial Nursing Scholarship was created by Mary Lou’s family and fellow hospital colleagues upon her death. During her career at the WCA Hospital from 1979-2004 she worked in the Special Care Unit, Recovery, Pain Management, Maternity, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center. She was known for her beautiful smile that reassured so many of her patients.
Kristin Melville, Executive Director, WCA Foundation remarked, “We’re so proud to award UPMC Chautauqua staff with financial support to build upon their knowledge and experience. Our community wins from this important investment.”
The WCA Foundation celebrates 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. FMI: Visit
Jamestown – Cummins Engine Employees show their love in raising $6,500 from their employee Valentine flower and candy sales in recognition of American Heart Month. The proceeds were presented to the WCA Foundation and UPMC Chautauqua to benefit Cardiac Care at UPMC Chautauqua.
From left: Brelynn Ball, Dori Highhouse, Melissa Pollino, Kristin Melville, Emily McAllister, Carol Sweeney, Tammara Hodges, UPMC Chautauqua, Christina Thomas
Photo Caption: L – Vicki McGraw, Elegant Edibles Catering; Megan Barone, UPMC Chautauqua; Kristin Melville, WCA Foundation; Tara Cotter, Lauren Cotter, Kidder Farm; Diana Scott, Allision Evans, Studio D Catering.
Area restaurants and caterers took the challenge for the Best Soup in Southern Chautauqua County at the Souper Bowl X event and helped raised $6,400 for cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua. Thirteen restaurants and caterers competed for the title at the Celeron Legion. Kidder Farm took first place; second place, Buddy Brewsters; third place, Studio D Catering; and fourth place, Elegant Edibles Catering. All winners received an advertising package from Media One Radio Group. Proceeds from the event are dedicated to the mammography expansion at UPMC Chautauqua.
The event was sponsored by WellNow Urgent Care, Southern Chautauqua County Federal Credit Union, Media One, Celeron Legion. For a complete list of area businesses who donated to the event visit www.wcafoundationjamestown.org.
The WCA Foundation’s mission provides patient care at UPMC Chautauqua. All funds raised benefit healthcare for citizens of Chautauqua County.
The WCA Foundation staff and board of directors presented UPMC Chautauqua with a grant distribution of $723,592. The funds distributed are from the spendable earnings of 48 endowments the foundation holds. The distribution benefits patient needs ranging from the purchase of medical equipment and clinical improvements for cancer care, cardiac care, surgery, emergency room, women’s health and obstetrics, mental health/substance abuse, and scholarship funds for staff development and for students pursuing careers in nursing, radiology and laboratory science.
Kristin Melville, WCA Foundation Executive Director said, “The board and staff work all year long to raise funds for specific needs UPMC Chautauqua has identified. This year, we are particularly focused on raising funds for the mammography department expansion.”
UPMC Chautauqua Market President, Brian Durniok thanked the WCA Foundation and noted, “All of the funds that we have historically received from the foundation have added up to millions of dollars which have significantly improved the delivery of care for patients right here in the community where they live.”
Melville said, “We are so appreciative of donors who have established endowments at the foundation; donors who have consistently supported our annual campaigns and scholarships, and the dedicated volunteers who personally fundraise throughout the year organizing special events. When the WCA Foundation gives the annual distribution to UPMC Chautauqua, we all smile because we know it’s coming from the hearts of donors whose generosity have resulted in life-changing medicine in our community. “
The WCA Foundation will celebrate 43 years in supporting medical care. The foundation is 501c3 non-profit organization founded by grateful patients whose sole purpose is to advance patient care throughout all departments of UPMC Chautauqua. FMI: Visit wcafoundationjamestown.org
Melissa Uber, outgoing board member at the WCA Foundation was celebrated for fulfilling three board terms, nine years of service on the board. Thanking her for service, is Board President, James Pullan, Jr., Board. Pullan said, “The WCA Foundation has been honored to have Melissa’s business expertise and sound advice. As a result, we have been able to fulfill our mission to support healthcare initiatives at UPMC Chautauqua.” The WCA Board of Directors is comprised of local leaders who have a keen interest to support healthcare at the local level.
L-R Blake Tarana, owner of local franchise Tim Hortons, Kristin Melville, WCA Foundation executive director, and Dr. Andrea Walsh, foundation board member and UPMC Chautauqua physician receive a check for $5,000 from the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie campaign. The proceeds benefit new parents at UPMC Chautauqua Women’s and Maternity Care Center located in Jamestown, NY. Tim Horton’s has donated a total of $15,000 through their smile cookie fundraising campaign ensuring children and new families get a healthy start.