​​After 34 years of dedicated service as medical director of HomeCare & Hospice, Dr. Gilbert Witte will retire on December 31, 2025.

After more than three decades guiding patients and families with medical expertise and empathy, Dr. Witte has left an indelible mark on hospice care in Cattaraugus County. His leadership at HomeCare & Hospice has long been defined by a philosophy of preserving dignity, providing comfort and fostering hope.

At a celebration for Dr. Witte’s retirement, HomeCare & Hospice CEO Melissa Sullivan remarked that Dr. Witte “has a remarkable way of connecting with people and has helped prepare patients and families for their final journey with grace, understanding and peace.”

Dr. Witte’s wife, Linda Witte, has also been a major contributor to medical care in the Cattaraugus County area. Linda was a registered nurse who has worked on the Maternity Unit at Olean General Hospital for 13 years. She is a certified doula, breastfeeding educator and childbirth instructor.

Linda also has worked extensively in advocacy, serving as a member of the Cattaraugus County Legislature from 2003 to 2009. She served on the Senior Services, Human Services and Nursing Home Quality Assurance committees.

Health care has long been a family calling for the Witte family, as their son and daughter-in-law are both physicians.

In honor of the Witte family and their contributions to medical care in the area, the newly established Gilbert and Linda Witte Health Care Scholarship at CRCF will give back to students seeking a profession in the medical field.

The fund will support scholarship awards for students enrolled in the New Vision – Health Professions program through the Cattaraugus Allegany BOCES (CA BOCES), intending to pursue a career in any health care-related field.

This scholarship reflects the shared legacy of the Wittes, whose lifelong dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care has helped shaped health care in our region. Together, they have supported countless patients and families through some of life’s most difficult moments.

“This is about more than financial support,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “It’s about inspiring young people who want to make a real difference in health care to live out the same values the Wittes have exemplified for so many years.”

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).