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.
Pictured standing left, Kristin Melville, executive director, WCA Foundation; standing right, Anne Sischo, co-founder Shades of Pink Endowment, Co-chair Shades of Pink Golf Tournament; seated, Steve Sischo, co-founder, Shades of Pink Endowment, co-chair Shades of Pink Golf Tournament.
The Shades of Pink Golf Tournament committee announced its annual golf tournament, set for Friday, August 2, at South Hills Country Club. The golfing event has raised more than $50,000 over the past nine years, funding patient care through direct services including mammograms, nurse navigators, vital medical technology, and prevention and education programs that has helped save lives for those receiving care for breast cancer at UPMC Chautauqua. This year’s event proceeds will be used toward the expansion of the new Mammography Suite located at the hospital.
If you would like to sponsor the event or make a donation to the Shades of Pink, whether a tax-deductible sponsorship, personal donation or a prize to be raffled off the day of the event, please contact the WCA Foundation C/O Shades of Pink, Jones Health, 51 Glasgow Avenue, PO Box 840, 14702-0840, Jamestown, NY., 716.664.8665 or contact Anne and Steve Sischo at 716.664.9871 or 716.665.7873. All proceeds stay local to help area patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Board of Directors and Executive Director of the WCA Foundation recently recognized Brian Durniok, Market President, Northwest PA and NY and Oncologist, Dr. Rohit Gosain for their contributions in the creation of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Chautauqua. As an administrator and physician, their partnership, along with many professional staff and skilled clinicians have resulted in the formation of a high quality, innovative cancer center in Chautauqua County.
A former WCA Foundation endowment fund was renamed to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Chautauqua to recognize both Durniok and Gosain’s accomplishments. A gift of $5,000 from the Board of Directors was presented in their honor at the WCA Foundation’s June Board meeting. The endowment funds will improve the quality of life for local patients receiving treatment for cancer.
While the WCA Foundation has several funds that are earmarked for specific purposes, the new fund will provide local patients receiving cancer care at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Chautauqua help with basic needs.
Kristin Melville, Executive Director of the WCA Foundation said, “Support for patients receiving cancer care has been clearly apparent by the many requests we receive for basic needs. It is terribly disheartening to hear of patients who are concerned about transportation to and from treatments, utility bills, medications, or groceries. These are very realistic burdens that take away from their concentration to overcome cancer.”
Melville continued, “There is an unfortunate misconception local dollars donated to the WCA Foundation for UPMC Chautauqua do not stay local, or if they are needed at all. This could not be further from the truth. It is the WCA Foundation’s mission to raise, invest, and distribute funds for local patients receiving care at UPMC Chautauqua. I think we all are aware as consumers the growing cost of healthcare. Cancer care is a very good example. Once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, their care can cost much more than anticipated. We are here to support local residents and to improve their quality of life here at home. The funds the WCA Foundation distributes are for you and me, and all who need a lift-up in their wellness journey.”
All donations of any size, gifts of remembrance and encouragement will be accepted to the new fund at WCA Foundation, Inc., Jones Health 51 Glasgow Avenue, PO Box 840, Jamestown, NY, 14702 c/o UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Chautauqua, or online at www.wcafoundationjamestown.org. FMI contact: Kristin Melville at the WCA Foundation office at 716-664-8665 or Melvillek@upmc.edu
Pictured: Tammara Hodges, Director of Imaging Services, UPMC Chautauqua and graduate, Nora Edwards
The WCA Foundation was pleased to present the Murray S. Marsh Scholarship Award to Radiology graduate, Nora Edwards at the 2024 UPMC Chautauqua School of Radiology commencement on June 14 at UPMC Chautauqua. The scholarship was created through an endowment fund established by the Marsh family to be presented to an outstanding graduate of the School of Radiology.
The late Murray S. Marsh was the Chief Executive Officer of the former WCA Hospital. The annual scholarship award recognizes graduating students who have achieved excellence in their studies and who have demonstrated superior patient care skills. Mr. Marsh understood to deliver quality patient care, the clinician’s knowledge and skill is critical … but when combined with kindness and compassion, the patient experience multiples 10-fold.
Kristin Melville, WCA Foundation Executive Director said, “The most critical challenges facing healthcare today is the shortage of health care professionals. The WCA Foundation is proud to partner with UPMC Chautauqua and the School of Radiology to assist students pursuing careers in medical specialties. A scholarship award of $500 helps graduates with licensure fees and minor expenses incurred throughout their course work. Nora, Congratulations! Please accept our deepest appreciation to you as you begin your journey as a skilled professional. “
To make a gift in remembrance to The Murray S. Marsh Scholarship Endowment Fund at the WCA Foundation, contact: Kristin Melville, Executive Director at the WCA Foundation at Melvillek@upmc.edu or online at www.wcafoundationjamestown.org
Pictured: Radiology Students: Lamont Rhim, Mackenzy Graziano, and Tammara Hodges, Director of Imaging Services, UPMC Chautauqua
The WCA Foundation was honored to present two students of UPMC Chautauqua School of Radiology with the Vincent and Kathleen Messina Memorial Scholarship Award at the school’s commencement on June 14, at UPMC Chautauqua.
The late Vincent Messina was a distinguished graduate from the first graduating class of radiology in 1969. He retired as senior technician after spending 25 years in a profession where he took enormous pride in caring for patients, guiding students, and colleagues. After his death, Messina’s wife Kathy, organized hospital co-workers and friends from the golf community to raise funds to create The Vincent and Katheen Messina Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the WCA Foundation. After Kathy’s death, her wishes were to continue supporting students pursuing their careers in the field her husband loved so deeply.
Each year, two students are selected to receive an award of $2,000. The scholarship advances the careers for students who have fulfilled their first year of study and will complete the requirements for graduation in 2025.
The WCA Foundation is pleased to present this year’s recipients: Mackenzy Graziano and Lamont Rhim with this very significant and special scholarship.
WCA Foundation Executive Director, Kristin Melville said, “Congratulations Mackenzy and Lamont as you continue to strive toward excellence in your career pathway. We are extremely proud to be a partner with UPMC Chautauqua and the School of Radiology to help further your studies.”
To make a gift in remembrance to The Vincent and Katheen Messina Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund at the WCA Foundation, contact: Kristin Melville, Executive Director at the WCA Foundation at Melvillek@upmc.edu or online at www.wcafoundationjamestown.org
The WCA Foundation Annual Board of Director’s Meeting held on June 11 at UPMC Chautauqua, named new board leadership.
Accepting a one-year term as Executive Officers were: Chair, Jim Pullan, Jr.; Vice-Chair, Tim Black; Treasurer, Jim Domagola; and Secretary, Kelly Johnson, Esq.
Nominated to the Board of Directors for a three-year term: Bethany Anderson, MBA, BSN, RN, Director of the Emergency Department at UPMC Chautauqua; Dr. Mark J. Tuccio, D.P.M., FACFS, Chair Department of Surgery UPMC Chautauqua and Medical Director Quality Improvement UPMC Chautauqua; Dr. Andrea Walsh OB/GYN, Secretary & Treasurer of Medical Executive Committee, Medical Director of GLPP Women’s Health and Chair of OBGYN Department at UPMC Chautauqua.
The WCA Foundation was founded 42 years ago to provide philanthropic support for hospital care. Today, the foundation’s mission continues to ensure our community hospital, UPMC Chautauqua has the resources needed to deliver expert, timely medical care close to home. The WCA Foundation continues to impact community healthcare through philanthropic support from donors whose contributions have purchased vital medical equipment, advanced cancer care, aided mental health prevention, treatment, and education programs, provided emergency program assistance, and supported new generation of healthcare practitioners through student and hospital staff scholarship programs. Over $12M in grant funds have been allocated to the care and well-being of the citizens of Chautauqua County. To learn more please visit wcafoundationjamestown.org.
Get your smile cookie at local Tim Hortons between April 29 – May 5. Proceeds benefit WCA Foundation and other community organizations.
L-R Tammara Hodges, Director of Imaging Services at UPMC Chautauqua; Kristin Melville, Executive Director WCA Foundation, and Cummins Employees: Marilyn Hoyt, Melissa Pollino, Brelynn Ball, and Becky Owles present to UPMC Chautauqua’s Heart Center a donation of $6,800 from the proceeds of their employee valentine campaign for February American Heart Month. Annually, Cummins employees raise funds through their rose and candy sales for local residents receiving cardiac care.
Northwest Bank presented the WCA Foundation with a check for $2,000 for scholarships for students at UPMC Chautauqua’s School of Laboratory Science. The school is located on the Jones Health Campus on Glasgow Avenue, Jamestown. Donors wishing to learn more about the program and take a tour of the school may contact the WCA Foundation.