NEWS

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            OLEAN, NY – Arthur Goldstein, MD, medical director of the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, is nearing his thirteenth work anniversary as a provider at Olean General Hospital (OGH).  Over the course of the past thirteen years, Dr. Goldstein has witnessed tremendous progress at The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine which is located on the OGH campus in the Gundlah Dental Center at 623 Main Street, Olean, NY 14760.

            “Having hyperbaric medicine treatments is very unique to a small-town hospital,” said Dr. Goldstein.  “Typically, this service is only found in larger cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Erie.”

             The hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment in which patients are enclosed in a pressurized chamber in which the patient breaths 100% pure oxygen at a higher atmospheric pressure.  This higher pressure increases the dose of oxygen allowing the body to promote wound healing and help fight infections. 

Last year, the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine celebrated as it performed its 10,000^th hyperbaric oxygen treatment since it’s inception in 2007.  The treatment is effective for slow healing wounds including diabetic ulcers and radiation treatment complications.  Patients are normally treated daily, Monday through Friday, and are efficiently in and out of the office within two hours.

Other than the hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment, the wound center also offers different procedures to the community.  A few of these procedures and treatments include compression therapy for venous ulcers, lymphedema management, treatment for pressure ulcers, tissue/bone biopsy, compression therapy, and other advanced specialty wound care treatment/dressing.  The team focuses on providing the patient with an advanced level of care, individuality and patient specific treatments.  Through a collaboration among the wound center team, the use of a comprehensive approach to not only to heal the wound but improve conditions and reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

“A lot of the conditions we see most common are ulcers from a variety of causes; diabetes, varicose veins, and blood clots, and leg swelling/edema, pressure ulcers, and radiation therapy,” Dr. Goldstein stated.  “We have an experienced and dedicated team that are patient focused and provide excellent care to our patients.”

Since starting in 2010, Dr. Goldstein highlighted how the Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine has never been closed due to weather, or any other extreme circumstances.

“My team and I live and work in our community.  This makes it easier for us to be here for our patients when they need us the most,” said Dr. Goldstein.  “I’ve been here for thirteen years and I feel like I’m a part of this community.  I have always practiced in a small-town.  I love the connection you can build not only with the community but with our patients, they get to know me, and I get to know them.” 

            The team typically has about 300 to 350 patient visits per month.  The work doesn’t stop only in the office but they also provide the community with various health-related education. Recently, Dr. Goldstein and his team conducted an educational presentation to the local first responders about carbon monoxide poisoning and treatments. 

The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is open 7:30am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.  Referrals are not required for an appointment.  To schedule an appointment, please call (716) 375-7577. 

The Wound Clinic at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) is another service that’s offered to the community.  The service is led by LaTroy Navaroli, DNP, and has an experienced team that evaluates and treats a variety of chronic wounds that may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other medical conditions.  The Wound Clinic at BRMC is open Mondays and Fridays from 8am to 3:30pm.  Appointments can be made by calling (814) 362-8245 and referrals are not necessary.

Elk County- Doug Gaffey, St. Marys Area United Way President presented a $3,500 grant award to Lindie Gnan, Program Supervisor and Natasha Bowley, Teacher’s Aide for Dickinson Center, Inc. Dickinson applied for this grant to purchase treatment materials and groceries and kitchen supplies for their Crossroads Program located on the Penn Highlands Elk campus in St. Marys.

Dickinson Center provides a comprehensive spectrum of behavioral health, intellectual disability, and prevention services. Dickinson Center is an affiliate of the Journey Health System and provides programs and services in several Northwestern Pennsylvania counties. Crossroads is one of the many clinical services Dickinson offers to support children in Elk County.

Crossroads is a day treatment program for adolescents ages 11-18 struggling with the symptoms associated with a mental health diagnosis. While at Crossroads, children have the opportunity to receive individual, group, and family therapy in addition to medication management.  Crossroads also includes an academic component, which allows youth to remain in their home school district. A teacher is available to provide instruction while a mental health worker is present in the academic milieu to provide therapeutic interventions.

Crossroads overall goal is to help adolescents be successful at home, in school, and their community. The program supports youth from Elk, Cameron, McKean, and Jefferson counties.

Over the next couple of weeks, the United Way will continue to notify the public of all the grant recipients and award amounts. The grant funding disseminated in 2023 is as a result of the funding raised during the St. Marys Area United Way 2022 campaign. Funding raised in 2023 will be available for organizations to seek grant funding in 2024.

The St. Marys Area United Way relies on the contributions from companies and local individuals. If you would like to become one of these individuals or corporate donors, please call 781-6000 or mail your check to the St. Marys Area United Way, 44 So. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857

I have the pleasure of working with Joshua Raught in my culinary arts class where he recently earned the title of
Student of the Week. Joshua is an outstanding student who shows great enthusiasm and dedication in
all his endeavors. Joshua is a first-year student and a junior.

Joshua is a hardworking individual who knows what needs to be done and is always willing to go the
extra mile to achieve his goals. He consistently demonstrated excellent teamwork skills and was always
ready to assist his fellow students. In addition to his academic achievements, Joshua holds a ServSafe
certification which showcases his knowledge and understanding of proper food handling techniques.

Apart from his educational achievements, Joshua is also a volunteer fireman, demonstrating his
willingness to serve his community and help others in need. He enjoys riding ATV's, which shows his
adventurous spirit.