January 2024

COUDERSPORT, Jan. 31, 2024 – UPMC has expanded stroke specialty care services at UPMC Cole by offering 24/7, 365 virtual consultation services with world-renowned stroke specialists from UPMC Stroke Institute at UPMC Presbyterian, a certified Comprehensive Stroke Center.

“This collaboration is giving our patients superior access to quality stroke specialty care close to home which is very important because time is a critical element of stroke care,” said Gaurav Dighe, M.D., medical director, Stroke Care, UPMC in North Central Pa. “We are harnessing telemedicine technology to enhance and support the local emergency department teams who are already providing exceptional care and can benefit from additional medical expertise in complicated cases. With this service, the tools are in place to provide fast access to lifesaving treatments helping improve outcomes and prevent or reduce long-term disability from stroke.”

When a patient is suspected of having a stroke, the physician engages the Telestroke team through a virtual consultation. The remote specialist can ask the on-site doctor and patient questions, review the brain scans and lab work, assess how severe the symptoms and whether they could be due to a stroke, and guide the doctor on treatment or whether to transfer the patient to a comprehensive stroke center or higher level of care for further evaluation.

“It’s a challenge to have specialists on-call and on-campus 24/7 at our hospitals, especially our smaller, more rural hospitals like UPMC Cole,” said David Lopatofsky, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president of Medical Affairs, UPMC in North Central Pa. “With innovative telemedicine programs like Telestroke, we’re seamlessly leveraging our expertise from across the system to effectively use telemedicine technology and other resources to keep patients connected to their providers and enhance specialty care needed closer to home.”

To learn more about the comprehensive stroke care services available at UPMC in North Central Pa., visit UPMC.com/NeuroNCPA.

January 31st, 2024—The Potter County Jail Board public meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 2 has been cancelled. The next meeting will be held at noon on Tuesday, March 1, at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building auditorium. Telephone access to the meetings is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477.

During the board’s most recent meeting, Sheriff Kevin Siska and Commissioner Robert Rossman were welcomed as new members. They succeed Glenn Drake and Barry Hayman, respectively. Other board members are Judge Stephen Minor, District Attorney Andy Watson, and Commissioners Nancy Grupp and Paul Heimel. Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them to the board through an email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net.

January 28th, 2024

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel have provided an update on their ongoing Operational Improvement Initiatives:

1– Information Technology Upgrade

Goals: Improve functionality and security.

• Assess current technological resources – servers, computers, software.
• Review security/risk – firewalls, employee education.
• Document retention improvements – shared drives/backups.
• Training/employee education – ongoing.
• Continuing review of best practices.

CURRENT STATUS: Completed

2 — Risk Management at Potter County Jail

Goal: In partnership with the Potter County Jail Board, retain the Pa. Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP) to conduct a comprehensive risk management review of the county jail and develop a plan to implement recommendations.

• Engage an expert to study operations, facilities, policies and procedures and pinpoint areas that might increase the risk of litigation or other adverse outcomes at the jail (completed)
• Refer findings to the Jail Board to prepare recommendations for full board (completed)
• Continuing review of best practices.

CURRENT STATUS:  Implementation of recommendations/best practices underway.

3 — Grant Writing/Administration

Goal: To make Potter County more competitive in qualifying for federal, state and foundational grants; to coordinate the pursuit of grants with county departments and agencies, local governments, community organizations, regional agencies and other stakeholders.

• Develop a strategic plan that will incorporate specialized training, an assessment of internal resources, and the development of partnerships.
• Pursue grants to support county government and countywide initiatives, with potential to expand to grant-writing assistance to boroughs, townships, businesses and nonprofits.
• Affiliation with professional grant-writing organizations, Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission/Grant Assistance Division, and other resources.

CURRENT STATUS: In progress.

4 — Short- and Long-Term Financial/Operational Management Planning

Goal: Engage with the Pa. Dept. of Community and Economic Development to qualify for DCED’s Strategic Management Planning Program and implement consultants’ recommendations.

• Circulate Request for Proposals to list of qualified consultants (completed)
• Create short- and long-term financial plans (budgeting, capital projects planning, overall efficiency and opportunities for improvements).
• Review each department’s operations/staffing and needs.
• Implement consultant’s plan and establish system to measure results/progress through scheduled periodic review.

CURRENT STATUS: DCED grant approved; awaiting bid packages from consultants.

5 — Update of Human Resources Policies

Goal: Engage a PCoRP risk management specialist to review county personnel policies and a broad spectrum of related issues.

CURRENT STATUS: Review has been completed and draft findings submitted by consultant for review and implementation by county administration.

6—Strategic Economic and Community Development/”Revitalize Potter County”

Goal: Coordination, communication and unified long-term planning to implement high-priority community/economic development strategies identified in the Potter County Comprehensive Plan 2020-2029 to address population loss and youth outmigration.

• Fill Community Development Coordinator vacancy and combine County Community Development and Planning/GIS Departments for shared administrative resources and day-to-day coordination (completed)
• Application to Pa. Dept. of Economic and Community Development for Countywide Economic Revitalization Implementation Plan (completed; grant approved).
• Outreach to Potter County Redevelopment Authority, townships/boroughs, community organizations, regional agencies, employers and other potential partners/stakeholders.
• Engagement with Pa. Economic Development Assn., National Rural Action Caucus and other agencies dedicated to supporting agriculture/forest management, travel and tourism, manufacturing and other economic drivers.

CURRENT STATUS: In progress

7—Improvement of 911 Emergency Communications System

Goals: Inspection of county 911 emergency communications towers/infrastructure to ensure reliable 24/7 coverage; assistance to local fire, ambulance, police and other public safety agencies; improved communications with local emergency service providers.

• Contract with MCM Consulting Group Inc. to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the county’s emergency communications system and develop a technical plan for any recommended enhancements (completed).
• Inspect county’s public safety radio communications infrastructure (towers/supplemental power sources/other infrastructure) and review dispatching services (completed).
• Review radios, repeaters and other equipment being used by local and regional emergency response agencies to ensure compatibility and functionality with the county’s infrastructure (completed).
• Solicit input from fire, ambulance and police agencies on their needs (completed).
• Review county staffing/support services (completed)
• Assess and implement consultant MCM’s recommendations (in progress).

CURRENT STATUS: In progress

 Jett Finch has been selected as the Student of the Week for his outstanding performance and dedication in the Heavy Equipment Maintenance program.

Jett’s positive attitude, commitment to learning, and active participation in both academic and extracurricular activities have truly set him apart. Jett consistently demonstrates a strong academic aptitude in his first year of Heavy Equipment Maintenance. His proficiency in the program’s core subjects is commendable, reflecting his dedication to mastering the material.

Jett’s excellence extends beyond the classroom, as he excels in his electives, showcasing a well-rounded academic approach.  In addition to his academic accomplishments, Jett is an active participant in sports for the Coudersport School District. His commitment to athletics reflects a balanced approach to his overall development. Jett’s involvement in sports not only contributes to his physical well-being but also emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills.