ERIE Magazine | June/July 2010

E r i e R e g i o n a l C h a m b e r a n d G r o w t h P a r t n e r s h i p M a g a z i n e w w w . E r i e PA . c o m J u n e / J u l y 2 0 1 0

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Building a Healthier Community • YMCA Celebrating 150 Years • Improving Access to Quality Pediatric Health care • Welcome to Wellsville • Q&A with LECOM President and CEO, Dr. John Ferretti

LECOM ChamberMag_fullpage.pdf 5/18/2010 9:45:14 AM

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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Magazine

www.EriePA.com

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[contents June/July 2010

President’s Perspective....................... 2 Welcome New Investors.................3-4 YMCA Celebrates 150 Years of Active Involvement in Health of Community....................................6-8

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Mission Statement Leadership to attract, retain and expand business.

Board of Directors

Gregory S. Baldwin Jr. Peter Balmert John J. Barber John C. Bloomstine C. Angela Bontempo Dr. Jack D. Burke Kurt F. Buseck Carl M. Carlotti Terrence W. Cavanaugh Rosanne Cheeseman Gary L. Clark Joel Deuterman Harvey E. Downey Mary L. Eckert Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi Thomas C. Hoffman Thomas Kennedy Chuck Knight Leonard Kosar

John P. Leemhuis Jr. John T. Malone James E. Martin James W. Martin Michael P. Martin Marlene D. Mosco James R. Napier David Poor James Rutkowski Jr. Matthew Schultz Nick Scott Jr. Ronald A. Steele Noreen A. Stegkamper David M. Tullio Russell S. Warner Michael Weber Thomas J. Wedzik Matt Wiertel

President/CEO Jim Dible

Vice President, Chamber Claudia Thornburg

Vice President, Economic Development Jacob A. Rouch

Vice President, Growth Partnership Mary Bula

Editor

Matthew Cummings

Contributing Writers Erika Howland Amanda Prischak Jennifer Smith

Cover Photo

Courtesy of YMCA

Design

Tungsten Creative Group

For Advertising Information

Julie Graff, Sales Executive 814.454.7191; jgraff@eriepa.com

Staff

Matthew Cummings, Director of Marketing & Communications Sara Galbreath, Sales Executive Julie B. Graff, Sales Executive Melanie A. Johnson, Business Retention & Expansion Program Manager Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development Coordinator-Training Dr. Judith Miller, REthink Erie Project Coordinator Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator Michael Pistone, Director of Research Linda Robbins, Accountant Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

Above: The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership hosted Get Involved! Erie night April 29 to connect newcomers, natives and students in the region with local community organizations and involvement opportunities.

The event was held at the Ambassador Center and sponsored by WICU12.

More than 60 professional, social, recreational and non-profit organizations participated and shared ways area residents can get involved.

On cover: It may look like Mayberry, but these three lads are walking down the nearby lane of YMCA’s Camp Sherwin in Lake City after a day of fishing in the summer of ‘53. As you’ll read in this issue of ERIE Magazine, the YMCA of Greater Erie celebrates its 150th birthday this year, a century and a half of positive impact to our region’s spirit, mind and body.

Positive Prognosis: Allied Pediatric Health of Erie is Working to Improve Health Care for Area Kids....................................10-11 Wellsville: Business Leaders See Good Investment in Living Well.......................................14-16 An interview with John M. Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) . ...................................... 22-23 2010 Celebration of Excellence . ............................. 26-27

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[perspective president’s

There’s a line in a John Mellencamp song that says “Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone.”

Not always, John, not always.

And one of the ways we can keep the thrill of living going strong is by taking care of this body we’ve been given.

There were so many connecting dots for me as I read the articles in this edition of ERIE Magazine focused on health and wellness. We are fortunate to live in a region where the quality of health care is extraordinarily high and where wellness opportunities abound to help us sustain that thrill of living as life goes on.

And because the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership represents the business community in advancing community and economic development, attention to health and wellness is good for business and good for our region’s economy.

Health care is one of the four primary drivers of our local economy, along with manufacturing, education and the hospitality industry. And while family-sustaining careers in health care have grown here over the years, the future shape of our health care system has been a hotly debated subject before, during and after federal legislation.

But what you will read about here this month are four examples of health and wellness efforts aimed at helping us keep that thrill of living going strong.

Read about the YMCA of Greater Erie, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2010, and serving 30,000 of us every year at its four locations. “To a family, we might be their favorite pool,” said Tammy Roche, vice president of marketing, membership and development. “To a child, we might be their best friend. To an adult, we might be the second chance they so desperately need. All in all, we’re in the business of human potential.”

Read about the fact that in 2008 almost 6,000 children were sent from Erie to other places for pediatric subspecialty care. So led by Charles Walczak, administrator at our local Shriners Hospital for Children, the five major health care institutions in the region are working together to bring that care to Erie. It’s still in the works, but the desire is for the second floor of the Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie to be transformed into a place where our children can receive pediatric subspecialty care without the inconvenience and expense of having to go elsewhere.

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Read the inspiring interview with Dr. John M. Ferretti, president and CEO of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). As he states, the combination of LECOM, Millcreek Community Hospital, Medical Associates of Erie, and most recently the John M. and Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness and Wellness Center, is unique for a community of our size. “By teaching preventive health care to our students, to our health care team, and to our patients,” Dr. Ferretti said, “we are hoping for better outcomes, less disease and longer lives for the citizens of Erie and for the surrounding communities.”

Read about how over the past decade, WellFit Incorporated’s founders, Dr. Tony Snow and his wife, Kathy Iorio, have taken the Wellsville program into the community hoping to encourage and empower kids and families to eat healthy, be physically active, and make positive, healthy lifestyle choices.

“Both Tony and I were feeling badly about a lot of the children and families being inactive and the rise in childhood obesity,” Iorio said, “not to mention some of the devastating health statistics, and we decided to do something about it.

We needed to be part of the solution, not just talk about the problem.”

That spirit of “doing something” is a common theme that runs through not only the four organizations represented in these pages, but throughout the quality health and wellness industry in the Erie region.

Their efforts are good for the local economy. And there are hundreds more stories just like it.

And John Mellencamp’s lyrics notwithstanding, they collectively give us all a chance to keep the thrill of living going stronger and longer.

S i lv e r I n v e st o r

I n v e st o r s

DonJon Shipbuilders & Repair LLC

Idea Bright Marketing

Shipbuilding and barge construction, vessel conversion and repowering, dry dock repair and maintenance, as well as steel fabrication and assembly. Parent company, DonJon Marine, is involved in marine salvage, sledging, transportation, towing and related marine services.

Mr. John J. Quirk 220 East Bayfront Parkway Erie, PA 16507 (814) 455-6442 B r o n z e I n v e st o r s

Regis Corporation/ Famous Hair Salons

Freshen up your look with the latest cuts, styles, color, perms, highlights and professional hair care products at Famous Hair.

Owned and operated by Regis Corporation, the worldwide leader in the salon industry.

Ms. Giuliana Martone 5504 Iroquois Avenue Erie, PA 16511 (814) 898-2386

Custom Web development, Web application development and computer programming.

Mr. Jared R. Fabac P.O. Box 9460 Erie, PA 16505 (814) 240-3311

Classic Promotions and Services

Provides consultation and/or management for special events and promotional activities and consultation for companies and managers in need of organizational and leadership expertise and advice.

Mr. Ron Sertz 3636 West 27th Street Erie, PA 16506 (814) 392-1599

Interspace Airport Advertising

Advertising sales in airports.

Ms. Judi Boyer 4635 Crackersport Road Allentown, PA 18104 (800) 628-6800

If you know a company or organization that wants to invest in Erie and in their business, please contact Sara Galbreath, sales executive, at (814) 454-7191 or sgalbreath@eriepa.com.

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[welcome new investors

Electrical & Mechanical Systems, Inc.

Full-service electrical and HVAC construction and service.

Mr. Steve Herbstritt 316 Cherry Street Erie, PA 16507 (814) 453-2518

KASP Inc.

Cleaning and restoration company. Specializing in mold remediation, biohazard cleanup, carpet and upholstery cleaning.

Ms. Susan Patterson 2775 West 17th Street Erie, PA 16505 (814) 866-3399

GDF Suez Energy Resources

One of the largest nonresidential retail energy suppliers in the U.S., currently serving commercial and industrial customers in 11 markets including Pennsylvania.

GDF SUEZ serves more than 50,000 accounts with a peak demand of 50 kilowatts to more than 200 megawatts.

Mr. Steve Taake 1990 Post Oak Boulevard Suite 1900 Houston, TX 77056 (888) 724-7937

Erie Home ElectronicsVector Erie Installation of entertainment and security systems for homes and businesses.

Systems include home theaters, intercom, wholehouse music, fire and security and camera systems.

Mr. Robert Yount 4403 Iroquois Avenue Erie, PA 16511 (814) 899-7067

Innovative Services

Distributor of the newest snack and beverage products in the area. Product lines include Herr’s Chips, New Leaf Tea, White Rock Beverages, Jolt Cola, Bawls, Calypso Lemonades, and more.

Mr. Sean Maloney 7934 Station Road Erie, PA 16510 (814) 528-7204

Perry’s Landing Marina Offering an upscale marina experience for both slip and social members. Facility includes close to 250 slips, two pools and the Maritime Club Restaurant.

Mr. Timothy Omniewski One Lawrence Pier Erie, PA 16507 (814) 455-1313

(continued next page)

June 16, 2010 Stairways Behavioral Health Center for Arts & Education 138 East 26th, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

Reservations required name tags will be provided.

July 15, 2010 Northwest Beacon Employee Assistance Program 3939 West Ridge Road, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

August 12, 2010 Iadeluca Chiropractic 1334 West 26th Street, Erie 5 - 7 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors.

Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 or cnoble@eriepa.com.

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[welcome new investors continued [

East Erie Moose Lodge #593

Fraternal organization with approximately 1,500 members.

Charitable works include raising funds for Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Local fundraising includes MDA, Boys Baseball, children’s Christmas and Easter parties. Also, a summer picnic for members.

Mr. Jim Stewart 6060 Iroquois Avenue Harborcreek, PA 16421 (814) 899-8113

Sean T. Sullivan CPA

Certified public accounting firm.

Mr. Sean T. Sullivan, CPA 513 Lincoln Avenue Erie, PA 16505 (814) 455-3089

The Blue Cupboard

Unique home décor shop with custom designed furniture, architectural items and antiques.

Eclectic mix of primitives, shabby chic and cottage décor.

Re-purposed and re-used architectural items create a one of a kind green design. Book a party at the store and earn Blue Cupboard Bucks for you to spend. Whether you are looking for something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue, you will find it at The Blue Cupboard.

Ms. Stacy Morgan 3739 West Lake Road Erie, PA 16505 (814) 838-7258

U Pick 6 Beer Store

Specializing in craft and import beers with 12 beers on tap.

Whispering Woods Bar, lounge, flat screen TVs, Golf Course casual dining and new outdoor Semi-private course that offers patio coming soon. Full menu a full practice facility and golf featuring sandwiches and more. academy. Provides a challenging Mr. Russell Stachewicz, Jr. 18 holes for any skill level.

7520 Peach Street Mr. Bryan Tyler Suite 101 7214 Grubb Road Erie, PA 16509 Erie, PA 16506 (814) 866-2337 (814) 838-9942

Niagara Health care Services

Business development services specializing in senior services and health care.

Ms. Beth Seibert P.O. Box 10065 Erie, PA 16514 (814) 449-7188

Huntington Bank Private Financial Group

Sporting goods, embroidery, custom-designed team uniforms, t-shirts and school spirit wear. Golf equipment, golf apparel, virtual golf simulator and golf events.

Promotional products and corporate wear.

Mr. Matt Sicheri 3500 Liberty Street Erie, PA 16508 (814) 866-6660

Provides products and services designed to meet the needs of higher net worth customers.

Elements Board Shop Services include trust, asset Specializing in surf, skate, management, investment wake, snow and stand up advisory, brokerage, insurance paddle boards, and a great and private banking products selection of clothing and and services including accessories. Also offering credit and lending activities. rentals and lessons.

Huntington Private Financial Mr. Jeff Jones Group also focuses on 3445 West 12th Street solutions for corporate and Erie, PA 16505 institutional customers.

(814) 520-6244 Mr. Steven Shilling 100 State Street Suite 420 If you know a company or organization Erie, PA 16507 that wants to invest in Erie and in their (814) 455-2149

In charge of your company ’s electric bill?

It’s time to rediscover your options.

Today’s electricity market is more complicated and volatile than ever. As America’s second-largest energy provider to businesses like yours, GDF SUEZ Energy Resources can help you better understand the risk that comes with today’s challenging market.

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business, please contact Sara Galbreath, sales executive, at (814) 454-7191 or sgalbreath@eriepa.com.

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YMCA celebrates 150 years of active

By Jennifer Smith

For the last 150 years, the YMCA of Greater Erie has flexed a lot of muscle—shaping not only the bodies of its members—but also the community.

Since its inception, the Y has taken a broad view of health ­—offering programming to build not only strong bodies, but also strong families and strong communities.

In fact, many of Erie’s first essential services­—from the first public library to adult education­—came as a result of the Y. (See timeline next page.)

Today, the Y serves 30,000 people annually through four branch locations in downtown Erie, Glenwood, Edinboro and Harborcreek and 20 child care locations throughout Erie County. The Y also operates Camp Sherwin, a 70-acre waterfront public camping and recreation facility located in Lake City.

The Y offers hundreds of programs for every stage of life that span the gamut from Christian Emphasis to

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Health & Well being to Youth Development and Family Strengthening. Y programs extend beyond the walls of gyms and pools and can be found in the City of Erie’s public parks and public housing neighborhoods, as well.

By having its pulse on the community and adapting programming to society’s changing needs, the Y has continued to be relevant in the lives of its members and community for 150 years, said Gerry VanDemerwe, CEO. For example, in the late 1800s immigrant labor arrived in Erie with few belongings, little money and limited English. The Y offered safe and clean accommodations, English language classes and Christian services to the multi-cultural newcomers.

By the numbers • $13 million – Annual budget of YMCA of Greater Erie • 30,000 – People served annually through membership, child care and programs • 600 – Number of employees • 20 – YMCA child care locations • 13th – Rank among employers in Erie County • 4 – Number of YMCA locations

involvement in health of community.

During the 1970s and ‘80s, the American family was changing and the YMCA changed with it.

“The YMCA, always an organization with strong beliefs in the importance of family, became the leader in quality child care,” VanDemerwe said. “As Mom entered the workplace, the YMCA provided her with the security of knowing that if she couldn’t be with her children, the next best place was in the care available through expertly trained YMCA staff.”

With the addition of the Eastside and County YMCA locations, as well as child care locations throughout Erie County, the organization has expanded its reach to better serve families as they move into the suburbs.

Today as America struggles with an epidemic of childhood obesity, the YMCA’s Activate America program is a cutting edge approach aimed to once again establish the important fundamentals of building a healthy ‘spirit, mind and body for all.’

(Continued on page 8)

The Erie YMCA, one of Erie’s oldest and original social service agencies began serving the community in 1860.

1860 YMCA library, later to become Erie’s public library, opened.

1882 Started adult education night classes with the first English classes for immigrants in 1900.

1896 First basketball game­—Erie Y versus Allegheny College.

1903 First organized camp for boys in Erie, which is now Camp Sherwin, a community family outdoor center specializing in services to families and the exceptional or handicapped populations.

1904 Erie’s first swimming pool and water safety programs.

1911 Building at 10th & Peach Streets constructed.

1914 Joined with 11 other social service agencies to organize the Erie Social Service Federation, today known as the United Way. 1951 Began suburban work. (Outreach programs remain in West County and North East areas.)

1961 Designed and built the Glenwood Park YMCA around concept of total family programming—10th in the nation and a first in Erie.

1972 Started a program using Y facilities to rehabilitate and mainstream Juveniles on Probation in collaboration with the judges of the Erie County Juvenile Court.

1984 Grants further Downtown YMCA’s aquatics programs serving Erie’s handicapped.

1991 Development of long range plan. Start of annual meetings.

1995 Conducted capital campaign for $1.2 million to renovate three branch facilities for 21st century. Child care expands to four sites throughout Erie County.

1999 Child care grows to 14 locations with more than 1,000 children enrolled.

2004 Conducted Market Study. Put old YWCA facility back on the market.

2008 Opened the Early Learning Center on Poplar Street.

2009 Glenwood renovation project was completed on August 10.

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(Continued from page 7)

“With those clear lines, the YMCA made a promise to serve its members and community in ways far beyond mere physical fitness and more importantly, made sure that everyone could be part of this vision regardless of their cultural, social or financial status,” VanDemerwe said.

The YMCA’s unique philosophy truly sets it apart from other organizations, said Tammy Roche, vice president of marketing, membership and development.

“We are so much more than a gym—we are a social service organization, a gathering place, a family,” she said.

and wellness, aids youth development, assists personal achievement, and gives direct connection to nature in the midst of a harried society.

“To a family, we might be their favorite pool. To a child, we might be their best friend. To an adult, we might be the second chance they so desperately need. All in all, we’re in the business of human potential.”

And it’s that feeling of belonging that brings members back day after day, year after year, century after century.

It’s something you feel immediately when you enter the YMCA. “When someone comes to the Y for a class or program, we don’t view it like a transaction—it’s the beginning of a relationship,” she said. “The Y removes barriers to health

“We are so much more than a gym­—we are a social service organization, a gathering place, a family.”

Celebrate The YMCA of Greater Erie will mark its 150th birthday with a year-long celebration beginning with a traditional family-style picnic at YMCA Camp Sherwin (also marking 100 years) on July 18.

Festivities begin July 17 at 8:30 p.m. with a bonfire and camp song sing-along.

July 18 begins with a pancake breakfast and non-denominational prayer service followed by family-style picnic, games and activities including an inter-branch competition.

Guests may take advantage of a number of recreational offerings at Camp—outdoor swimming pool, beach access, fishing pond, hiking trails etc. or sit and relax on more than 70 acres overlooking Lake Erie. The day is open to all YMCA members, volunteers and employees. Cost is $3/person or $10/household. Reservations are required.

Each branch will also host its own event at their branch location throughout the remainder of 2010 through June 2011.

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Congratulations to the YMCA of Greater Erie for 150 years of service to the community.

Erie, PA

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5/14/10 11:14 AM

Positive Prognosis:

Allied Pediatric Health of Erie is Working to Improve Health Care for Area Kids

By Amanda Prischak

As home to renowned facilities such as Corry Memorial Hospital, Hamot Medical Center, LECOM, Millcreek Community Hospital, and Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie has enviable health care resources for a county of its size. Yet Chuck Walczak, administrator at Shriners Hospital for Children – Erie, couldn’t help but notice some gaping holes through which Erie’s youngest patients fell through year after year.

“There is a lack of availability and access to an array of pediatric subspecialty services in Erie,” Walczak explains. “On an intuitive level, we’ve known for some time that something needed to be done.” So Walczak decided to take action last year, despite the fact that the recession hit the national Shriners endowment so hard that threats of closure hung over the Eriebased branch for the first half of 2009.

“Uncertainty became an opportunity,” Walczak says when he recalls how he wrote and received a $25,000 grant from the Erie Community Foundation to hire a consultant for the Allied Pediatric Health of Erie (APH of Erie) initiative. Work commenced in October 2009, just three months after the Erie Shriners Hospital learned it would in fact remain in operation.

Data supplied from Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) and the local Erie hospitals revealed that approximately 4,000 children were transferred outside of Erie for hospital services while another 2,000 were sent out of town by family doctors 10

Art Becker Photo | artbeckerphoto.com

Defining the Problem

for subspecialty care in 2008. Most of these young patients and their families journeyed to Cleveland or Pittsburgh, and most stayed in a hospital for less than 24 hours.

Further compounding the problem are the small number of pediatric orthopedic surgeons who practice at the Erie Shriners Hospital; luckily, a new agreement to bring two renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center pediatric orthopedic surgeons to Erie three days per week was recently reached. Without this and other continued improvements, long waiting lists for some services and long out-of-town trips will continue to be the norm. This,

however, is not the biggest fear among those involved in APH of Erie.

“We are more concerned that children are not seeking needed subspecialist care because of transportation, financial, or linguistic challenges,” says Stephanie Freeman, APH of Erie consultant. “Our biggest concern is for the kids who do not see specialists when their conditions can be managed and only seek care in the ER once their condition is dire.”

In addition to these fears are ones about the economic repercussions of the problem: “Not having the necessary health care infrastructure in place negatively affects the retention and attraction of businesses to the area,” Freeman adds.

Jim Kurre, associate professor of economics in the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is studying the economic toll the region pays for lack of pediatric health care services. Those results will come out in the fall, but what is known is that in the last two years, a staggering $41million left Erie County as a direct result of the region’s lack of pediatric subspecialty services.

(This number does not account for funds lost from Ashtabula, Crawford, Chautauqua, and Warren, four contiguous counties whose residents by and large travel to Erie for health care.)

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Erie

Close study of the issue was well in order. And once the data was sorted, it revealed that the migration of patients and dollars from Erie stemmed from a lack of eight critical pediatric subspecialty practices: neurology, gastroenterology, dermatology, pulmonology, endocrinology, cardiology, allergy, and ear, nose, and throat.

A Community Effort

From the start, APH of Erie sought to engage a wide and diverse group of individuals and organizations in what is looking to be, in the formal sense, a one-year process. The 64 community members serving on a steering committee and four subcommittees include doctors, social service providers, representatives from the health insurance industry and the five medical institutions mentioned at the beginning of this article, and even a parent of a child who has struggled with obtaining specialty pediatric health care. The subcommittees now meeting are focusing on a trio of issues: alignment of services, which seeks to devise a more efficient way to coordinate and deliver pediatric care; access to pediatric subspecialty care, which seeks to improve transportation and communication between patients and health care providers; and scope of services, which seeks to attain an indepth understanding of the problem as well as to raise awareness about it.

As it now stands, the business plan the committees drafted in June will enter the implementation phase this fall.

Then, once the needed changes that address the physical needs of children are met, arrangements will be made to help families better navigate the pediatric behavioral health system.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished in a short period of time,” says Walczak. “In just six

months, we met with every key pediatric provider or agency in the area. We’ve made this a community endeavor.”

The desired manifestation of all this hard work is for the second floor of the Shriners Hospitals for Children - Erie building to be transformed into a separate entity that houses pediatric subspecialty services.

The families of children who stand to benefit from the changes are also on board.

“The parents I contacted all said the project has a lot of merit,” says Freeman.

Today and Beyond

The desired manifestation of all this hard work is for the second floor of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Erie building to be transformed into a separate entity that houses pediatric subspecialty services. The exact arrangement of how this will play out is still being discussed though some possibilities include Erie Shriners Hospital establishing a relationship in which a larger hospital supplies subspecialty doctors on a regular basis; leasing the space to an organization that will transform the space into a federally qualified health center, which is a designation that nets doctors a higher rate of reimbursement as well as protects them from malpractice claims; or some other arrangement to accommodate the underserved population.

Right now, APH of Erie is working to publicize its good work to attract what Walczak calls a “critical mass” behind the initiative. Some of the ways APH of Erie and Erie Shriners Hospital, an Investor in the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, are getting the word out is by making appearances at community events like the Chamber’s recent Get Involved! Erie event. APH of Erie not only wants local residents to know about all these exciting developments, but also invites members of the community to share their ideas, time, and talent toward the effort that will benefit thousands of area children for many years to come.

“I want to see the waiting lists gone,” says Freeman in reference to how she envisions pediatric care in Erie in the future. “I also look forward to bringing in more subspecialty doctors so that fewer children will go to the ER or seek aggressive treatment for health problems that could have easily been prevented.”

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Business leaders see in living well.

By Erika Howland

You’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village?” Well it also takes an entire community to spread the message of one local non-profit organization hoping to help combat childhood obesity.

For nearly a decade, WellFit Incorporated, founded by Dr. Tony Snow and his wife Kathy Iorio, has been taking the Wellsville program out into the community hoping to encourage and empower kids and families to eat healthy, be physically active, and make positive, healthy lifestyle choices. It’s a program that has been supported by countless Chamber members over the years.

Iorio, executive director of Wellsville, says the idea began with a simple conversation at the dinner table. “Both Tony and I were feeling badly about a lot of the children and families being inactive and the rise in childhood obesity not to mention some of the devastating

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health statistics and we decided to do something about it,” says Iorio. “We needed to be part of the solution, not just talk about the problem.” Over the years, Wellsville has grown to include a 30-minute television show, a DVD series, an interactive website and a dynamic in-school program called “Wellsville Goes to School.”

“We really wanted to reach a lot of children and families and try to educate, inspire and empower them,” explains Iorio. “We wanted to help them lead more active, more positive lifestyles. So we created a team of professionals, educators, health providers, and other people who care about children and families.”

The Wellsville program reaches more than 4,000 kids every year with the goal of reinforcing some of the messages that teachers are delivering on a daily basis helping kids to be the best they can be.

“Obesity is such a problem, and these kids don’t have the opportunity or some of the advantages that some families have,” according to Dianne Bernard, principal of Glenwood Elementary School. “These kids need this, and Kathy has also reached out to their parents and helped to curb their eating habits, and hopefully we will see these problems start to go away and turn the trend around.”

Bernard says the show is about eating healthy, moving more and feeling good.

Teachers can then use the shows to compliment their own lesson plans.

The goal is to send messages that are applicable and relevant.

But the Erie School District is just one of many districts benefiting from the Wellsville Program.

good investment “The program is outstanding for high school students to act as mentors and share information they have learned about eating healthy and physical activity,” says McDowell High School Teacher, Patty Hoffman. “It’s a fun way to learn and reinforce important ways of living while students learn teamwork and leadership skills they can use in life.”

Hoffman says the students learn a great deal about making healthy choices and how to teach and interact with elementary students.

“It’s like train the trainer,” explains Iorio. “We have a script and they learn it and get all the materials they need.

Then they get on a bus and go out into the schools.”

Iorio says many episodes of the Wellsville television show are also taped at the schools. So far they have one season of Wellsville under their belts with the generous support of LECOM and are hoping that additional funding comes through for a second season.

Next up, Wellsville goes national and takes Erie’s brand with it.

And the support has come from the community and that has kept us going. But to get to the next level, it will take even more.”

And lucky for Iorio, Wellsville seems to be an easy sell. Z3 Concepts provides video production for Wellsville. According to owner Stan Zlotkowski, it’s a great experience for everyone involved.

“I have seen firsthand when we go into the schools the instant recognition of Wellsville. The kids go right to Kathy and Tony and immediately start talking about living healthy,” says Zlotkowski.

“It is such an important message for kids to get when they are young. We need more positive environments like this and Wellsville is perfect to lead the charge.”

“It becomes contagious to be healthy, be active, be positive and be you,” he adds.

Iorio says companies like Z3 Concepts have made it possible for the Wellsville dream to become reality. “We are very grateful to have businesses in our community that (Continued on page 16)

“It takes money,” says Iorio. “Over the years we have put our money where our mouth is because we believe it.

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(Continued from page 15)

realize the importance of supporting this initiative, not just financially but they have stepped up to be part of our team and help.”

Among other major supporters are Erie Insurance Group, Erie Community Foundation and PNC Bank, who offered assistance through a grant for the Wellsville Goes to School Program.

“Young children learned about healthy living, nutrition, exercise and making good choices,” says Marlene D. Mosco, president of PNC. “Through PNC Grow Up Great, our 10-year, $100 million commitment to school

readiness, PNC partners with early care providers throughout the region providing grants, volunteerism, and educational resources. We are proud to partner with Wellsville and support their efforts to better the lives of young children.”

With such a wide range of community support, Iorio says she is able to take the program to on the road to business fairs, summer celebrations, service organizations, you name it.

She says it’s all part of spreading an important message and combating

art FIND

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an important problem, one day at a time. “I always think, you can have a job, you can have a career or you can have a calling. I feel this is a calling for us. We have been blessed with the talent and support and the people to help us and make a difference.

We are all in this together. “

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[

[i nsights leadership

An interview with

John M. Ferretti, D.O. President and CEO, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)

ERIE: When the Board of Trustees of Millcreek Community Hospital founded LECOM in the early 1990s, it became the nation’s 16th college of osteopathic medicine. Since that time, LECOM has grown to become the largest. To what do you attribute this success?

“When we began planning for the college of osteopathic medicine, we were looking at a way to attract more primary care physicians to Erie and to the surrounding communities. As a teaching hospital, the administration and physicians at Millcreek Community Hospital knew that we had the ability to design a quality medical education program at an affordable price. We did this by developing innovative, student-centered learning pathways that have garnered national recognition and that have resulted in the interest of thousands of potential students who apply to LECOM each year.”

ERIE: LECOM states that it “trains osteopathic physicians and pharmacists to practice medicine on a higher level.” Can you explain what makes LECOM’s approach different?

“We place a high value upon our mission and educational goals and we stress the importance of preparing students to become osteopathic physicians and pharmacy practitioners through programs of excellence in education, research, clinical care and community service that enhance the quality of life through improved health for all humanity. We encourage our students to strive for professionalism and competency and to carry those principles forward when they become practicing physicians.

We do this through a dress code where the appearance of our students, in and out of

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class, demonstrates their commitment to patients and to the community of health care providers. You will see LECOM students with their white coats, a symbol of professionalism, at clinics and as they are providing community service. In addition, LECOM highlights an honors code and it offers courses that prepare them to communicate with and to treat their patients in a compassionate and competent manner.”

ERIE: Not only is LECOM a leader in education, but the college and Millcreek Community Health System are partners in providing for the health care needs of the Erie community. What are the benefits of this arrangement to your students and our community? Is this being done elsewhere?

“The combination of LECOM, Millcreek Community Hospital, Medical Associates of Erie, and the John M. and Silvia Ferretti Medical Fitness and Wellness Center is unique for a community the size of Erie. This partnership creates a city-wide academic health system with the goal of bringing the best quality health care to the community. We seek to achieve this through practicing the principles of osteopathic medicine, treating the whole person, understanding that the systems of the body work together and that the body has the innate ability to heal itself. By teaching preventive health care to our students, to our health care team, and to our patients, we are hoping for better outcomes, less disease and longer lives for the citizens of Erie and for the surrounding communities.

This affiliation also provides further opportunities for better training of more physicians and pharmacists and it creates an environment for future research into improving the quality of health care.”

ERIE: LECOM has shown a strong commitment to the Erie community, generously supporting organizations such as the Chamber, Wellsville, YMCA, Erie Housing Authority, Erie BayHawks and many more. Can you tell us more about LECOM’s commitment to giving back?

“As our mission states, community service is a major part of our commitment to preparing our students to become more compassionate care givers. The College sets an example by supporting those organizations that have similar goals and aims as those endorsed by LECOM. We promote health care, wellness, education and improving the well-being of children and adults in our community. Each summer, LECOM students sacrifice their only break in four years of medical school to participate in the Bridging the Gaps program. Bridging the Gaps places these students in more than 20 social service and health care agencies where they can make a difference in the lives of the people who seek the services of those groups. LECOM students offer an after school and summer mentoring program for children in the YMCA/Erie Housing Authority activity centers. Our students carry the message of healthy lifestyles into the community through health fairs and poison prevention programs. They raise thousands of dollars each year by participating in the fund raising efforts of many of the local health service organizations such as the Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Heart, Diabetes and other associations.”

ERIE: LECOM recently announced a new partnership with WQLN creating the LECOM Healthy Living Network.

How will the community benefit from this unique initiative?

“We recognized that state funding for public television was declining and this would jeopardize the ability of WQLNTV to provide quality programming in the future. By underwriting the LECOM Healthy Living Network, the College has given the station a financial boost that will help the station remain fiscally healthy. At the same time, it provides LECOM with an outlet to reach many more people with the information they need to stay physically healthy. Public television provides many excellent programs that encourage people to eat healthy, become physically active and better maintain their bodies. The LECOM Healthy Living Network brings these shows together in one block of time and makes it

talking points accessible to more people by airing during different times of the day throughout the week. WQLN also is producing House Call Minutes which are one minute stories about common illnesses with advice from our physicians. Later this summer, WQLN will introduce Meet the Doctors, a one-hour program featuring LECOM physicians, pharmacists, fitness experts and nutritionists discussing the latest health care news and treatments.”

ERIE: The tremendous growth of LECOM is one of our region’s top entrepreneurial success stories. In your opinion, what skills does a business leader need today to be effective?

“A leader in business requires largely the same skills and proficiencies that the entire ideal of leadership embodies. ‘Leadership’ is, in a sense, a foundation constructed of many blocks: Integrity, self-discipline, purpose, adaptability, commonsense, and compassion to name a few. Upon these foundational blocks is built ‘business.’

Without integrity, a person is absent reliability and veracity. The people with whom one deals must have a sense that one’s word is one’s bond. Some may think it hackneyed in a mendacious new age, but it is essential to our operation. Selfdiscipline transcends many areas and it embraces the notion of knowing which is right and wrong; and often taking the more difficult path to achieve a higher goal.

It encompasses persistence and courage in one’s deeds though the course proves rough. Leaders still believe in right and wrong and in not avoiding a challenging path. Purpose is a principle that is required by all people, but especially leaders. One must have direction, goal, and mission.

Once the goal is reached and the mission achieved, there must be a new goal set and a fresh course laid for a further mission. It is the way in which we grow as human beings.

It is the American way. It is that which made our nation first among nations, and it is an indispensable part of leadership.

Adaptability is crucial to leadership because change never ceases. One must be ever-prepared to change course or to hold the course when needed. The notion of adaptability supports preparedness for change and readiness to hold the reigns and to navigate the obstacles that will always present themselves. Of course, commonsense is an overlooked, but vital aspect of leadership. How many times do we ask, ‘What ever happened to commonsense?’

Business is at a loss without it. Compassion

Born: Erie, Pennsylvania – in the heart of “Little Italy” Family: One of three children (all physicians) of John and Silvia Ferretti.

Education: 1969 Gannon University, Erie, Pa., Bachelor of Science Degree, 1973 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., D.O. Degree, 1973 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., Master of Science Degree Favorite Book: “Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle. One of the foremost pieces of meaningful classical literature that centers upon the importance of purpose in one’s life and the development of a virtuous character through right action for right reason.

Current Book: “Thoughts and Adventures” by Winston Churchill. It is a piece that explores the range and depth of Churchill’s intellect and presents his views upon issues both serious and light.

Hobbies: Collecting pens and coins has been a keen interest for me. I enjoy learning about the history involved in the objects that I collect.

Travel: Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida – where I renew my spirit in a little piece of paradise – and our branch location – LECOM Bradenton.

Favorite Sports Team(s): America’s team in the proud pinstripe – “the Bronx Bombers” better known as the “New York Yankees.”

Favorite Quote: “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” ­—Shakespeare. This quotation from Hamlet reinforces perhaps one of the most relevant aspects of “who we are.” One must ever remain true to oneself in every aspect of one’s life. At the end of the day, one lives with oneself, answering only to God. It is critical to be satisfied with word, deed, and purpose—and that quotation sums it up.

is a word that one doesn’t often find linked with the business lexicon, but it is a fundamental part of it. As human beings, we all have shared needs, desires, hopes, and dreams. We understand through our own personal sufferings, loss, or illness that others share the same experiences.

A leader understands human suffering, grows through it, finds strength in its lessons and, in turn, uses it as an implement to help others.”

sense of faith, purpose, and integrity and I should like to show my appreciation to him for his life lessons and prophetic words that have grown clearer to me with time; Andrew Taylor Still (the ‘Father of Osteopathy’) to catch a glimpse of the insight and vision that ignited a revolution in medicine; and certainly, first and foremost, Jesus Christ whose counsel, guidance, and blessing I would most humbly entreat.”

ERIE: If you could have dinner with three people, who would you select and why?

“This classic parlor game question gives rise to many intriguing alternatives. If my roster of dinner guests were narrowed to those comprised of living persons, my choices would include my sister, Silvia Ferretti (Provost and Dean of LECOM) since we spend such considerable time addressing the pressing needs of the institution, I’d enjoy sharing a casual dinner with her; President Barrack Obama to whom I could pose a convivial dinner query as to the reason he feels compelled ‘to fundamentally transform the United States;’ and one of my medical students because they remind me of the reason that I get up every morning and that I continue to strive to make LECOM ever better every day.

ERIE: What do you like best about living and working in Erie?

“Erie is a distinctive place because it offers superlative aspects of many quality of life necessities. Erie is a small enough locale to be accessible while still possessing the room to expand and to develop its horizons in a dynamic and creative manner. Erie County boasts some of the most beautiful recreation areas in the nation with Presque Isle and Lake Erie becoming an emerging tourist center. It is only a short jaunt to major metropolitan centers, yet Erie still provides a sense of countryside living without being removed from civilization.

Perhaps Erie’s greatest asset is her people.

The Erie community has shown itself to be comprised of some of the most caring and generous residents that I have met.

It is a setting in which families, neighbors, and community remains important. The sense of ‘belonging’ in Erie is palpable; and one feels connected to the area in a very real way.”

The more usual form of this inquiry involves the option of dining with persons living or deceased. In that case, my selection would decidedly include my father, who remains an inspiration to me. I should like to thank him for instilling in me his strong

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When individuals succeed, their community succeeds too.

We believe communities are built on the goodwill and energy of the people who belong to them.

That’s why we’re proud to support the YMCA of Greater Erie in celebrating their 150th Anniversary.

©2008 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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2010 Celebration of Excellence

2010 Celebration of Excellence photography by:

www.lorei.com | 814-868-0888

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Celebration

n of Excellence

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Gannon senior Anthony Firetto spent his spring break with students at the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee, Florida.

the Core of Gannon University’s Catholic Identity In providing a values-centered, Catholic education, Gannon University, located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania, has made a deep commitment to service in the local community and in our wider global community. Our students put their faith into practice in tens of thousands of service hours through projects including building houses with the Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity, tutoring children at local Kids’ Cafés and working on neighborhood revitalization in Historic Little Italy. What’s more, Gannon students have helped to rebuild New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and have worked on international projects such as reforestation in Guatemala and physical therapy in El Salvador.

Gannon’s community commitment: we start local, and go global.

It is the fulfillment of our Catholic mission.

For more information, call 800-GANNON-U or visit gannon.edu.

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