NEWS

Julie Adams, RDN, CDCES
Diabetes and Nutrition, UPMC

November is National Diabetes Month and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chronic disease affects over 37 million people in the U.S. or about 11% of the country’s population. It’s important to understand what diabetes is and how you can help manage the condition with lifestyle modifications and nutrition.

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition in which your body has difficulty with insulin, the hormone that helps sugar diffuse into your cells. The insulin either is not used properly by your body, or your body simply does not have the ability to produce enough.

Three types of diabetes include:

1. Type 1 – This is the type of diabetes that occurs as an autoimmune reaction or when your pancreas does not produce insulin. When diagnosed with this type of diabetes, it is likely that you will need daily injections of insulin. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children, teens, and young adults, but it can develop at any age. It is less common than type 2 — approximately 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1. Currently, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed.
2. Type 2 – This is the most prevalent type of diabetes, and risk factors for developing it can be impacted by lifestyle changes. Your pancreas produces insulin, but your body doesn’t respond appropriately – this is known as insulin resistance. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
3. Gestational – Occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after pregnancy. This affects how your body uses sugar, similar to the other types of diabetes. If you have a history of gestational diabetes, it is important to discuss this with your doctor. People with a history of gestational diabetes can have higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.

Nutrition Tips for Diabetes Management

Taking care of your blood sugar is key to living a normal life with diabetes. Your doctor will support you through this diagnosis and help create a plan to manage your body’s level of blood sugar. Education of this health condition is one of the main ways of staying on top of it. The more you know about diabetes, the better you can take action to prevent complications.

• If you are managing diabetes, you can still include a variety of foods each day. Protein and fiber help with blood sugar management. Plan meals and snacks that combine high-fiber carbohydrate foods with protein foods to help prevent blood sugar from going up quickly. Try snacks like peanut butter with apple slices or low-fat cottage cheese with a tablespoon of apple butter to enjoy the flavors of fall.
• Holidays centered around food can be stressful for people with diabetes. Plan some time to focus on friends and family. Celebrate in ways that put less emphasis on sweet treats and more emphasis on being together with family and friends. Go for a family walk after a holiday meal or plan a family and friends game night to enjoy being together with loved ones.
• There is an increased risk for heart disease for people with diabetes. Reduce your risk by choosing heart-healthy unsaturated fats most often. In dishes that call for butter, try swapping for flavorful, heart-healthy oils like extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil or pumpkin seed oil.

If you’re having a difficult time in dealing with new lifestyle changes that are necessary to cope with diabetes, there’s additional help available. Classes, events, and support groups are available to provide extra support and education.

Julie Adams, RDN, CDCES, sees patients at UPMC Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center, UPMC Williamsport Divine Providence Campus, 1100 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport. For more information about diabetes and nutrition services, visit UPMC.com/DiabetesNCPA.

Join the Catholic Women’s Club of Bradford on Sunday, November 13th at 10:00 Mass and after shared liturgy, for a Red, White and Blue Veteran’s Luncheon. The event will honor the service members past and present with a complimentary  soup and sandwich luncheon at the Father Gallina Social Hall across from St. Bernard’s Church. The social hall is located at 95 East Corydon Street. Veterans Day is an excellent occasion for local communities to produce a variety of meaningful programs and  participation by veterans and other patriotic groups is encouraged!

Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), members of Upper Allegheny Health System, (UAHS) announce the appointment of Scott Bonderoff, MBA as the new interim chief operating officer. 

He joins UAHS with over 30 years of experience in healthcare with the last 20 years advancing through the ranks at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, NY.  He was most recently the vice president of clinical support services within the healthcare network that oversees 34 health centers, 14 school-based centers, 6 hospitals, 3 cancer treatment centers, nursing and home health services and a variety other healthcare related services along with the Bassett Medical Group.

Bonderoff earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY College at Oneonta in Oneonta, NY and his master’s degree in business administration at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.  He is also a member of the Medical Group Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives.  A resident of Cooperstown, NY, Bonderoff, is active volunteering his time through various community, business, and sports organizations.

“Scott will do great things for our healthcare system.  His versatile experience is impressive which will benefit our organization with him stepping in as interim COO,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, BRMC, OGH.  “He will be able to continue to execute the current operational and financial initiatives that Dave DiBacco started.  These initiatives will help strengthen us financially, improve the care we provide, and allow us to continue to expand services.”

With Bonderoff stepping into the role of interim chief operating officer, David DiBacco, who has held the position since May 2022 will be returning to his permanent position as vice president, chief operating officer at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and DeGraff Medical Park, both Kaleida Health facilities.  He temporarily left his role to help spearhead initiatives at Upper Allegheny Health System that have improved efficiency while cutting costs. 

“Dave has been a blessing for UAHS!  Even though he was with us for a short six months, his impact on the organization has already made a big difference,” said Dr. Owens.  “This administration is looking to continue to enhance the healthcare provided to the Bradford, Olean, and surrounding communities through providing more efficient and quality care.”

            Since taking the role of president in May 2022, Dr. Owens and her administration have been busy executing initiatives, saving the organization over $14 million this year.  However, rising costs, supply chain disruptions, lower than normal volumes, staffing shortages, and lower reimbursement rates continue to plague the healthcare industry since the start of the pandemic.  This is a national problem not only affecting our local hospitals but also affecting other rural hospitals and healthcare giants across the United States, with some showing billions of dollars in losses this year.

            Bonderoff’s experience and knowledge about the healthcare industry will continue to help UAHS administration move the needle in the right direction.  Leadership will continue to focus on enhancing the quality of care provided throughout UAHS to continue to be the region’s choice for healthcare.

Photo Caption: Scott Bonderoff, MBA is named interim chief operating officer of UAHS.

At 4:40 PM on Monday, Johnsonburg Fire Dept. dispatched to a wildfire at 693 VFW Drive. A wood pile is also on fire.

Dale Bertram Gillaspie, 87, formerly of Bradford, passed away October 12, 2022, peacefully at his home in Cameron Park, CA.

Dale grew up in Bradford, graduating from Bradford High in 1952. After serving in the US Army from 1955 to 1958, which included an assignment In Germany, he moved to Tahoe City, CA, where he began his career with Teichert Construction helping to get Squaw Valley Ski Resort ready for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Dale worked for the company in many positions from installing ski lifts at Squaw Valley and driving a dredger at Tahoe Keys to supervise setting up their plants. He was recognized for his skill, work ethic and leadership, over his 31-year career before retiring from Teichert as VP of the Aggregate Division
in 1992.

Dale and his beloved wife and best friend of 53 years, Joanne Gillaspie, enjoyed touring the USA in their motorhome, visiting nearly every state. Together, they loved golfing in the evenings at Cameron Park Country Club. Dale loved pheasant hunting with his sons and spending time with family, especially on the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Surviving is his wife, Joanne, and their children: Barbara Carmody, Brenda Leymaster, Richard Gillaspie and David Gillaspie, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild, two sisters: Jean Marie Jordan, and Martha Klucas.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Gillaspie and one brother Fred (Denny) Gillaspie.

A funeral mass was conducted at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Cameron Park on October 28, 2022.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hololenbeckcahill.com

Christopher M. “Chris” Kulbago, Sr., 58, of Coneville, formerly of Niagara Falls, N.Y., passed away in his home on Friday, November 4, 2022, after a courageous battle with ALS.

Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

Kathryn A. “Katie” Dalton, 70, a longtime resident of Eldred, passed away in her home with her loving family by her side on Sunday, November 6, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

     Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

Wellsville N.Y. Police Department

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Wellsville Police arrested Alexander W. Cavanaugh, age 25 of Wellsville, charging him with Burglary 2nd (Class C Felony) and Criminal Mischief 4th.

The charges stem from an incident that took place on Madison Street in the Village.

Cavanaugh was processed, and arraigned before Town of Scio Justice Ames. Cavanaugh was committed to the Allegany County Jail on $50,000.00 cash bail or $75,000.00 property bond or $100,000.00 partially secured bond. Cavanaugh is due to appear in Wellsville Village Court on December 6th at 4:30 pm. Wellsville Police were assisted by the New York State Police.

Good information will be presented on resources for Vets by Mike Pepper and the expanding Veterans food bank that started in Tioga County and is expanding to Potter and eventually beyond there. It is a free resource for Vets and their families. That will be presented by Gail Allen. We’ll have good food, music, and information for our deserving Vets!

Tracy D. Hunter, 55, passed away at her home in Kersey, PA on Monday, October 31, 2022.

She was born on May 9, 1967 in Calais, ME, a daughter of the late John and Sarah “Sadie” Cameron Hunter.

Tracy was a graduate of St. Marys High School and received her LPN degree in 1994 from Clearfield Vocational School.  Throughout her career, she was employed at Penn Highlands Elk and DuBois, and most recently worked as a private duty nurse.  Having touched the lives of many of patients with her kindness, gentle ways, and a smile that could light up a room, Tracy always made her patients feel special.

Tracy loved traveling, and never turned down a chance to take a trip with her dear friends, whom she especially enjoyed trips to Maine with.  She loved spending time with her friends and their families, whom she’d grown close to over the years.  She loved watching movies, listening to music, and cooking.  She was known for her knowledge of trivia, and was fond of animals, especially her cats.

She is also survived by three brothers; Kelly (Cathy) Hunter, of Lisbon Falls, ME, Blaine (Anne) Hunter of Auburn, ME, and John Hunter of Houston, TX, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two special friends whose friendships she cherished; Sue Huey and and her family of Kersey and Brandy Robison of Ridgway.

Tracy was preceded in death by her parents.

A Graveside Service for Tracy D. Hunter is being scheduled and will be announced at a later date.  Burial will be in St. Boniface Cemetery.

In keeping with Tracy’s love of animals, Memorial Contributions may be made to a local animal shelter.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 339 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered at www.krisefuneralhome.com