Caring for Our Communities, No Matter the Challenge: BRMC and OGH 2025 Year in Review

Caring for Our Communities, No Matter the Challenge: BRMC and OGH 2025 Year in Review

Bradford, PA/Olean, NY - Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are proud to reflect on 2025, a year marked by a strong financial turnaround, significant reinvestment into facilities and technology, improved workplace culture and continued success in recruiting and retaining highly skilled physicians and staff. Together, these achievements underscore commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care to the communities they serve.

Financial Strength and Strategic Reinvestment

Over the past year, BRMC and OGH strengthened their financial foundation, allowing for major reinvestments across both organizations. Capital investments topped $4 million, supporting critical upgrades such as new surgical towers, sterile processing equipment, a vascular table, IV pumps, radiology improvements and dialysis chair replacements.

OGH made additional transformative investments, including $3.5 million for a state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator to advance radiation therapy and $1.24 million, funded through community philanthropy, to enhance surgical video system towers. OGH also secured $200,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to replace an x-ray unit and was awarded $17 million through New York State's Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program to renovate the emergency department, along with $5 million to add a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program.

"This is a truly transformational time for Olean General Hospital," said Bradley J. Chapman, president, BRMC, OGH. "The addition of a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program expands our emergency care capabilities for patients experiencing mental health crises will help in strengthening our staffing structure and have adequate resources to accommodate these patients. This will improve patient flow enhance the overall experience."

Also, OGH acquired a da Vinci Xi Surgical System, positioning the hospital to launch robotic-assisted surgeries in 2026. BRMC also renovated and reopened a new radiology room with state-of-the-art imaging technology.

Clinical Excellence and Quality Recognition

The year brought numerous quality milestones and accreditations. OGH achieved certification as a Primary Stroke Center by DNV, while BRMC earned laboratory accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). BRMC also received American College of Radiology (ACR) mammography accreditation for three years.

Both hospitals' medical oncology practices were awarded Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification for three years and OGH Cardiovascular Services earned the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition Gold award.

BRMC and OGH also achieved a significant organizational milestone by receiving DNV certification for three years and their first ISO 9001 accreditation, reinforcing a culture of continuous quality improvement. OGH's Dialysis Center also received recertification from the New York State Department of Health.

Expanding Access and Advancing Care

BRMC and OGH expanded access to care through new services and innovative treatments. A new Olean Medical Group Women's Health Clinic opened at BRMC.

Clinical advancements included the region's first-ever Intracept Procedure performed at OGH by Dr. Joseph Staszel, pain management and physical medicine rehabilitation physician, advancing treatment options for chronic back pain.

Workforce Growth, Engagement and Safety

Recruitment and retention remained a major win throughout the year. BRMC and OGH welcomed a record number of new providers, including specialists in primary care, neurology, women's health, orthopedics and sports medicine and vascular surgery. OGH also recruited a record 28 graduate nurses, strengthening the future of its nursing workforce.

Employee engagement efforts delivered measurable results. Overall employee turnover decreased from 33.36% in 2024 to 28.19% in 2025, while together, BRMC and OGH RN turnover dropped from 20.07% to 14.20% over the same period. Patient experience scores also improved, with "communication with nurses" reaching an average rating of 75.4, exceeding the 2025 goal.

To further enhance workplace culture and safety, BRMC and OGH introduced a Zero Tolerance Policy, expanded security staffing and equipment as well as hosted Dangerous Person Training for employees. Engagement from all levels of the organization has improved through regularly scheduled employee town halls to share organizational wins, strategic updates and leadership insights.

Education, Technology and Community Support

Educational partnerships continued to grow, with increased enrollment in the BRMC School of Radiography in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, as well as new dental program collaborations with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and UPC.

Regionally, Kaleida Health launched a multi-year electronic health record (EHR) upgrade, unifying BRMC, OGH, Kaleida Health and other Western New York healthcare organizations on a single EHR to improve continuity of care.

Community support remained strong, as the third annual Pulse of the Community Gala, hosted by the Bradford Hospital and Olean General Hospital Foundations, raised more than $100,000 for local cancer care.

"2025 reflects what is possible when financial discipline, strategic investment and a focus on people come together," said Chapman. "Health care continues to face challenges, locally, and nationally. However, we are working towards building a stronger regional healthcare system, supporting our employees, advancing care close to home and positioning BRMC and OGH for a sustainable, high-quality future."

As BRMC and OGH move forward into 2026, one thing is certain which is the commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities they proudly serve.