Health & Wellness 2026

January 29, 2026

Olean General Hospital shows off robotic surgical capabilities

The future is in good, tiny robotic hands at Olean General Hospital.

In a pair of December open houses — one in the morning for board members and other dignitaries and one in the evening for the general public — OGH staff showed off the new addition, an Intuitive Surgical da Vinci Xi Surgical System, which will be rolled out for surgical use early this year. Visitors were given a chance to use the system, manipulating orthodontic rubber bands around a practice area.

“This is a big deal,” said Brad Chapman, president of OGH and Bradford Regional Medical Center. He noted the addition goes beyond just an equipment acquisition, but into the future of the hospital in general. “We have the ability to write the future of Olean — what do we want the future to look like?”

The price of a new system is $2.3 million, hospital officials said, however the system came from Kaleida Health sister facility Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Amherst. OGH officials credited the Kaleida affiliation for bringing the system to Cattaraugus County at a major cost savings.

During a panel discussion, general surgeon Dr. Brian Jones, urologist Dr.

Brian Dinerman, and OB/ GYN Dr. Tahir Chaudry discussed the impact of the new system.

Dinerman noted he travels to Buffalo to perform robotic surgeries regularly, including three surgeries scheduled for Thursday alone.

“The robot is the

mainstay of surgery at this point,” he said, with benefits including smaller incisions, less patient pain, shorter hospital stays and better outcomes.

Having a local option will allow easier access for patients and alleviate a major headache for patients needing a robotic

touch in their operations.

“They’ll be able to stay here and not travel in the snow,” Dinerman said. “I have patients cancel appointments, delay a cancer treatment a month, because they can’t get up to Buffalo.”

Dinerman said that some support and training issues are still being worked on, and he hopes to begin operating in Olean with the system in two or three months.

Robotic surgery has proven useful for everything from cutting edge procedures to the most common to hit the operating table, Jones said. Some surgeons have used robotic systems to perform double mastectomies — the removal of all breast tissue, a procedure common in some breast cancer treatments — through a single incision in the armpit. Others have completed heart transplants without physically touching a patient.

“It’s got four arms, so you can assist yourself,” Jones said. “It adds a lot of dexterity. You can do lots of things you can’t normally do.”

The system also uses a 3-D imaging that gives a better view than a laparoscopic system, Jones said, and even better than a sur-

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Olean General Hospital

geon’s own eyes looking at an open incision.

Jones said he plans to begin using the system for his most common surgeries before expanding to other procedures.

Chaudry said it also helps with patients with different body types and scar tissue from previous procedures — both of which are very common in gynecological procedures.

“In gynecology, it’s a necessity,” he said.

But the biggest benefit, Chaudry said, will be in recruiting new doctors to serve the area.

“One of the questions they always ask is ‘is there a robot?’” Chaudry said, adding that lack of robotic surgical capabilities

can drive off prospective surgeons.

He also noted the ergonomic advantages of sitting in a chair while manipulating controls versus standing over a patient, which Chaudry said will help the hospital retain surgeons.

“We can be here longer for our community, and I think this will be a major benefit for our area as a whole,” he said.

Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, part of the University of Rochester system, received a similar da Vinci system in 2024 and began using it in surgery in early 2025. UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown has also used a da Vinci system for several years.

Small steps that make a big difference toward a healthy year

By Dr. Emily Snell

As we’re near the end of January, how are we doing on those fresh starts and resolutions?

As you face the year ahead, a look back can help inform your health plans and give you a feeling of being prepared and empowered.

1. Review Your Annual Screenings and Preventive Tests

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to protect long-term health. Take a moment to check whether you’re up to date on age- and risk-appropriate screenings. These often include blood pressure checks, cholesterol panels, diabetes screening, colonoscopy, mammograms, Pap tests, and bone density scans. If you’re unsure what you need, reach out to your primary care provider, we can help create

a personalized schedule based on your age, family history and health conditions.

2. Make Sure Your Vaccinations Are Current

Vaccines don’t just protect you, they protect your loved ones and your community. Though it is best to get the influenza vaccine in October, it is never too late to get protected. The flu can be devastating, and infections resulted in hospitalizations in almost 400 thousand people just last year.

Depending on your age and health status, you might also need vaccines for shingles, pneumonia, tetanus or RSV. If you’re traveling soon, your physician can advise you on additional immunizations.

3. Take Inventory of Your Medications

The beginning of a new year is a great time to review your medication list, both prescription and over-the-counter. Ask yourself:

• Are you taking everything as prescribed?

• Have you experienced side effects?

• Are you still taking medications you no longer need? Bring

your full list to your next appointment so we can make sure your treatments are safe, effective, and necessary. Don’t forget to check expiration dates and safely dispose of old medications.

4. Update Your Health Information

Life changes quickly, and your medical record should reflect that. Make sure your care team has your current contact information, emergency contacts, insurance details, and any updates to your family medical history.

A new diagnosis among close relatives can change your screening recommendations.

This is also a smart time to review advance directives or consider completing them if you haven’t already.

5. Look Back at Your Lifestyle Habits

New-year reflections aren’t just about what needs fixed, they’re about what’s working. Celebrate the progress you’ve made, whether it was eating more vegetables, walking regularly, drinking more water or quitting smoking. Then, consider where you’d like to improve.

Small, realistic goals, like adding a 10-minute

walk to your morning routine or cooking at home twice a week, are far more sustainable than sweeping resolutions.

6. Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

If you haven’t had your yearly check-up, now is a good time to schedule it. Annual visits are about prevention, conversation, and long-term planning, not just addressing problems. It’s your chance to talk openly about sleep, stress, mood changes, chronic conditions, or any questions you’ve put on the back burner.

7. Prioritize Your Mental and Emotional Health

The holiday season can be joyful, but it can also bring stress, grief, and exhaustion. Take time to check in with yourself. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Not sleeping well? Struggling to enjoy things you normally love? Emotional health is a critical part of overall wellness, and your primary care provider can help connect you with counseling, resources, and support.

(Dr. Emily Snell is a second-year resident with the UPMC Williamsport Family Medicine Residency.)

In year of milestones, Jones Memorial Hospital opened $2 million medical suite

By Kathryn Ross

Jones Menorial Hospital officials, staff, partners and local leaders gathered on the third floor of the hospital in December to cut the ribbon officially opening the new Franklin C. and Barbara E. Boekell Medical Suite.

Jim Helms, president and chief executive officer of UR Medicine Jones Memorial Hospital, thanked those assembled and revealed the renovations that took place over several months on the third floor.

The hospital expanded its surgical clinic from two exam rooms and one

treatment room to three treatment rooms and two exam rooms. The oncology department was turned into a suite and contains the clinic. The expanded infusion center is in one location, (the tower), sleep services were relocated from the third floor to the second floor of the tower and expanded to three beds, allowing the third floor cardiology department to expand its services.

“A project of this size only happens with a hard, hard working team,” said

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Jones Memorial Hospital

Helms, who for the last several years oversaw the renovation of JMH from a small rural facility serving the community into a regional campus that serves Western New York and northern Pennsylvania communities in partnership with the University of Rochester Medical Department.

The estimated total cost of the project was $2 million. The renovation was designed and engineered by La Bella Associates and constructed by general contractor Duggan and Duggan of Allegany.

Much of the funding came in the form of a donation from the family of Franklin C. and Barbara E. Boekell, former residents of Wellsville. Originally from of Weston, W.Va., Franklin Boekell, a businessman, moved to Wellsville and married Barbara Baldwin Roeske in 1981. He died in 2018 and she passed away in 2022, leaving behind a large family, including Dee Roeske, who worked in the ICU at Jones for 27 years, and Morgan Enders, who has worked in the infusion center in Hornell for the last six years.

“Today the Boekell family made an impact not only for today, but for years to come in the lives of their friends, family and neighbors and for that we say thank you” Helms said.

Roeske and Enders unveiled the sign designating the Franklin C. and Barbara E. Boekell Medical Suite.

Additional speakers included Dr. Stephen

Mauro, president of Alfred State College, who is on the hospital’s board of directors; Dr. Ted Kaufman, UR regional director of general surgery; Dr. Dan Mulkerin, medical director of the Wilmot Cancer Institute; and state Assemblyman Joseph Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, who praised JMH for its dedication to expanding medical services in the region.

“We are proud to celebrate the completion of these newly renovated spaces, which enhance the care we provide to our patients every day,” Helms said. “The construction reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in the health of the Wellsville community and the surrounding region.

“These improvements allow us to deliver more coordinated, patient centered care in a state-of-theart setting right here close to home,” he added.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH UR MEDICINE

Meanwhile, beginning in 2026, JMH officials are also celebrating 10 years of affiliation with UR Medicine.

Marking the occasion, officials looked back on the agreement which connected the 49-bed hospital into the UR network, and its impact on local health care opportunities.

“Ten years ago, we made a commitment to strengthen healthcare in our community by joining a larger health system, while staying true to who we are as a local commu-

nity hospital,” Helms said. “Over the past decade, this affiliation has allowed us to expand services, recruit exceptional providers, and bring advanced care closer to home.

“Most importantly,” he added, “it has ensured that our neighbors, friends, and families can continue to receive high-quality, compassionate care right here, today and for generations to come.”

Dan Johnson, chairman of the hospital’s board, said the decision to affiliate 10 years ago was guided by the critical priority of doing what was right for our community.

“As a board, we’ve seen firsthand how this partnership has strengthened the hospital’s foundation — enhancing financial stability, supporting growth, while preserving local autonomy,” he said. “And as a direct result of our efforts to provide high quality for this community, we saw in the past two

years the CMS 4-star rating designation, and just this year were recognized as a FORBES Top Hospital for 2026.

“We are proud of what this affiliation has made possible and remain deeply committed to ensuring our hospital continues to serve this community with integrity, accountability, and vision,” he said.

The effort came as other local hospitals joined the Southern Region of the UR network — made up primarily of Jones, St. James in Hornell in 2018, and Noyes in Dansville in 2016 — has partnered on several lines of treatment, including pain management, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, and urology.

Many of the services are provided by doctors who travel between the hospitals — expanding opportunities for treatment that would otherwise require a drive to Buffalo or Rochester to receive.

Vitamin D and its link to cancer prevention

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is crucial for maintaining health. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function.

For the last 20 years, researchers have studied vitamin D to determine if it can help to prevent certain cancers. The theory that it may is built upon the role vitamin D plays in regulating cell growth, proliferation and cell death (apoptosis).

Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019 that was based on the largest randomized clinical trials on the topic, the VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial),

reveals the link between vitamin D and cancer prevention is nuanced. The primary finding was that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly lower the overall incidence rate of invasive cancer in the general population, when compared to the placebo. However, when researchers looked into specific cancer types, the VITAL study showed a statistically significant 38 percent reduction in total cancer mortality (death from cancer) among participants who took vitamin D for at least two years. Among the more than 25,000 men and women who participated, those

who took 2,000 international units of vitamin D each day for an average of 5.3 years were nearly 20 percent less likely than those who took the placebo to have an advanced cancer, which is defined as one that metastasized or proved fatal. The risk reduction also correlated to participants being at a normal weight. Researchers didn’t see a benefit in people who were overweight or obese.

There has been a compelling trend regarding colorectal cancer and vitamin D supplementation. Data published in JAMA Network Open showed that those who consistently supplemented with vitamin D had a roughly 17 to 25 percent lower risk of developing advanced

colorectal adenomas or cancer, suggesting a potential benefit for protecting against gastrointestinal malignancies. While vitamin D is vital for overall health, it cannot conclusively and universally be recommended as a cancer prevention measure for the general public, based on scientific consensus supported by the National Cancer Institute and other medical organizations. However, given the link between vitamin D and cancer mortality, supplementing with vitamin D is a low-risk measure individuals can adopt. It’s always best to consult with a doctor for more guidance about appropriate supplementation doses and health strategies.

Risk factors for heart disease

The World Health Organization reports that ischaemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of death across the globe. Ischaemic heart disease accounts for 13 percent of the world’s deaths, affecting people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. The WHO also notes that deaths attributed to ischaemic heart disease rose by 2.7 million between 2000 and 2021, the largest uptick in deaths of any disease in the world during that time.

Data from the WHO underscores the threat

posed by ischaemic heart disease. But humanity is not helpless against the disease. In fact, many risk factors are within a personal’s control, suggesting that a concerted effort to educate the public about the risk factors, and how to avoid them, could have a profound and life-saving impact. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that almost half of all adults in the United States have at least one of three key risk factors for ischaemic heart disease, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada indicates nine in 10 Canadians have at

least one risk factor for heart conditions, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment.

One of the more significant hurdles to beating heart disease is raising awareness of its risk factors among the billions of people across the globe who have at least one of those factors, even if they don’t know it. According to the NHLBI, the following are some notable risk factors for heart disease.

• Age: Heart disease risk increases with age, but anyone can develop it. For men, risk increases significantly around

age 45, while women’s risk increases more rapidly around age 55.

• Environmental/work conditions: Indoor or outdoor air pollution increases risk for heart disease. The NHLBI notes that air pollution may cause or worsen conditions like high blood pressure or inflammation, which are known risk factors for heart disease. Long and/or irregular working hours (55 hours or more per week); exposure to toxins,

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Heart Disease

radiation, secondhand smoke, or other hazards; work-related stress; and sedentary positions throughout a workday are some work conditions associated with an elevated risk for heart disease.

• Family history/genetics: A father or brother diagnosed with heart disease prior to age 55, or a mother or sister diagnosed before age 65, is a risk factor for heart disease. The NHLBI also notes research has found that some genes are linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

• Lifestyle habits: Unhealthy lifestyle habits that increase heart

disease risk include a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, insufficient sleep over a prolonged period of time, smoking, and poor diet. These are some heart disease risks that people should be aware of as they seek to improve their overall health. More information about ischaemic heart disease can be found at nhlbi.nih.gov.

Conditions that may benefit from chiropractic care

Aches, pains and creaks are not uncommon among the aging population. A lifetime of living can take a toll on the human body, so it’s normal to experience some periodic side effects from all that wear and tear. But some issues may stem from more than normal wear and tear, and in such instances it can be useful to visit a chiropractor.

The Cleveland Clinic notes chiropractors treat an assortment of conditions that affect the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Many people prefer chiropractic care as an alternative to treatments that utilize prescription medication, and it’s worth noting the many conditions that may be treated and

alleviated by chiropractic care.

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a common condition, particularly among adults age 50 and older. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that one in five adults in the United States had arthritis in 2024, while the Global RA Network estimates more than 350 million people have the condition across the globe. The Cleveland Clinic notes normal, lifelong wear and tear is often the cause of arthritis, and chiropractors can employ various techniques to alleviate

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Chiropractic Care

the pain associated with this common condition.

• Headaches: It might surprise people unfamiliar with chiropractic care to learn that it’s not uncommon for people with headaches to seek the help of a chiroprac-

tor. The Canadian Chiropractic Association notes that chiropractic care has been found to be an effective means to treating cervicogenic and tension headaches. Chiropractors may employ various treatments, including

soft tissue therapy and acupuncture, to alleviate headache pain.

• Lower back pain: Chiropractic care has long been looked to as a means to alleviating lower back pain. The experts at Duke Health note that chiropractors may employ spinal manipulation to treat back pain before offering additional advice, including self-care recommendations, to help patients avoid recurrence. Manual manipulation to improve movement in the spine may be part of chiropractic treatment of lower back pain.

• Neck pain: Chiropractors also can help treat

neck pain. Many people experience limited mobility in their neck and/or soreness or joint pain in this area. A subluxation is a slight misalignment of the vertebrae that can contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced function in the neck. Chiropractic care works to restore vertebra to the correct position with the hopes that such a restoration will alleviate pain and improve mobility and function.

Chiropractic care can be an invaluable solution when individuals suffer from aches, pains and creaks that can affect the human body over time.

5 questions seniors can ask their doctors during routine checkups

Seniors may not have the same busy schedules they did when they were younger and juggling an assortment of personal and professional responsibilities. But one constant on many seniors’ schedules is routine trips to see their doctors. Trips to see primary care physicians and specialists are part of many seniors’ monthly routines. Such appointments can ensure seniors stay healthy throughout their golden years, es-

pecially when patients remain vigilant and engage with their physicians during office visits. One of the most effective ways to remain an engaged patient is to ask questions during each appointment, and the following are five queries seniors can keep in mind as they prepare for their next appointment.

1. Is my blood pressure high? This is a vital inquiry because high blood pressure,

also known as hypertension, has been linked to a host health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and diminished vision.

2. What can I do to lower my blood pressure? If doctors discover high blood pressure, ask for a detailed plan to lower that blood pressure, including safe physical activities

and dietary recommendations.

3. Do I need to change my medications? Though the data is somewhat outdated, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Canadian Health Measures Survey revealed in 2019 that nearly seven in 10 adults between the

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Routine Checkups

ages of 40 and 79 in the United States and 65 percent of adults in Canada used at least one prescription drug in the 30 days prior

to being surveyed. Roughly one in five adults in the same age group in each country acknowledged using at least five prescrip-

tion drugs. If seniors find those statistics familiar, then it’s wise to ask their doctors if there’s anything they need to change or look out for. Adverse medication interactions can be dangerous and even deadly, so it’s imperative all of a patient’s doctors are up-to-date on any drugs they might be taking.

4. Can I do anything to improve mobility? A 2020 study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology noted that 35 percent of persons age 70 and over live with mobility limitations. Reduced mobility can increase

risk for falls and hospitalization and lead to a reduction in quality of life. When visiting their physicians, seniors can report any mobility issues and ask what they can do to address them and prevent them from progressing.

5. Do I need additional health screenings? Screening saves lives, even if exams can sometimes be inconvenient if not unpleasant. Seniors can use each doctor’s appointment as an opportunity to discuss screenings and determine if there’s any additional tests they should be getting each year.

FAQ about diabetes

Diabetes cases have risen dramatically in recent decades. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with diabetes has more than quadrupled since 1990, rising from 200 million that year to 830 million by 2022.

The prevalence of diabetes underscores how significant a threat it poses across the globe. And recognition of that prevalence may prompt questions

about the disease, including what can be done to prevent it.

What is diabetes?

The WHO notes diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin that is produced.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that’s problematic

because insulin acts like a key to let blood sugar into the body’s cells for use as energy.

Are there different types of diabetes?

Yes. The CDC notes type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, though it’s important people recognize it can be diagnosed at any age. Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that stops the body from making insulin. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to survive.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by an inability to utilize insulin well and maintain normal blood sugar levels. Though the CDC notes more and more young people are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the disease is more

often diagnosed in adults and tends to develop over many years.

Gestational diabetes is another form of the disease that can develop in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. Gestational diabetes typically goes away after giving birth, but the CDC notes a baby could be at elevated risk for health problems like childhood obesity or type 2 diabetes if a mother develops gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Are there risk factors for diabetes?

Risk factors vary for each type of diabetes. The risk factors for type 1 diabetes include family history, notably a first degree relative (i.e., parent or sibling) who has the disease, and age since most cases are diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.

Age also is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, as the CDC notes most diagnoses of the disease are made in people age 45 and older. Risk for type 2 diabetes also is greater if a person has a first-degree relative with the condition, but that might be because families tend to live similar lifestyles relating to diet and exercise. A poor diet can increase type 2 diabetes risk, as overweight or

Diabetes

obesity are risk factors for the disease. A sedentary lifestyle in which people are physically active less than three times per week also is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes?

The WHO reports symptoms of diabetes may occur suddenly but also notes that they can take years to be noticed in people with type 2 diabetes. But some of the more notable symptoms include:

• Feeling very thirsty

• Need for frequent urination

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

• Unintentional weight loss

The Kovler Diabetes Center at UChicagoMedicine notes that tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, a condition known as neuropathy, also may indicate the presence of diabetes. This occurs over time because high glucose levels can damage the nervous system. Delayed healing of bruises or cuts or frequent infections also can be signs of diabetes. Diabetes cases are on the rise across the globe, which only underscores the need for everyone to learn more about the disease and what can be done to prevent it.

Health and wellness mean more than medical care. They include feeling safe, supported, respected, and empowered to live a meaningful life.

For people with disabilities, access to compassionate support services can make a powerful difference. Not only in daily health outcomes, but in overall happiness, independence, and belonging.

As a nonprofit organization, our mission is rooted in one core belief: every person deserves the opportunity to live their best life. Through individualized care and holistic support, we work alongside people with disabilities to promote well-being in all its forms.

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

True wellness includes physical, emotional, social, and mental health.

Support services play a vital role in helping individuals maintain balance in all these areas. This can include:

• Personalized daily support, such as assistance with routines, mobility, or self-care

• Emotional and mental health support, encouraging confidence, self-expression, and resilience

• Social connection, helping individuals build relationships and engage with their communities

• Skill-building and independence, empowering people to make choices and reach personal goals

Rather than focusing on limitations, effective support services recognize strengths, preferences, and aspirations.

Person-Centered Care: Respecting Choice and Dignity

At the heart of quality disability support is person-centered care. This means listening first—honoring each individual’s voice, culture, and lived experience. Support is tailored, flexible, and guided by what matters most to the person receiving it.

When people are supported to make their own decisions, they gain confidence and a stronger sense of control over their lives. This autonomy is essential to both wellness and dignity.

Building Inclusive and Supportive Communities

Wellness does not happen in isolation. Inclusive communities—where people with disabilities are welcomed, valued, and supported—are essential to long-term health. Nonprofit support services help bridge gaps by connecting individuals to resources, opportunities, and meaningful participation in everyday life.

Whether it’s engaging in hobbies, volunteering, learning new skills, or simply enjoying time with others, community connection supports emotional well-being and reduces isolation.

Our Commitment as a Nonprofit

As a nonprofit organization, our focus is not profit, but people. We are committed to:

• Providing compassionate, high-quality support

• Advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and equity

• Partnering with families, caregivers, and communities

• Continuously learning and improving our services

By centering care around respect, empowerment, and wellness, we help people with disabilities not just live—but thrive.

Living the Best Life, Together

Everyone’s version of a “best life” looks different. Our role is to walk alongside people with disabilities, offering the support they need to pursue health, happiness, and fulfillment on their own terms.

Through care, connection, and community, we can create a world where wellness is accessible to all.

Olean YMCA offers something for everyone

By Kellen M. Quigley

Regardless of age, ability or location on your wellness journey, the Olean YMCA has something for everyone.

From the wellness floor, filled with cardio and strength-building machines, to the studio spaces for specific classes, from the aquatic center’s pool, sauna and therapy pool to the open gymnasium that can be divided into three spaces, there’s rarely a time when the Y isn’t bustling with activity.

“We have continuous ongoing programs for health and wellness,” said Stephanie Brown, Executive Director of the Olean YMCA. “January is a big month for us when it comes to health and wellness, and membership too,” adding that the Y offers a lot of promotions in January for potential new members.

Inside the facility at 1101 Wayne Street, the Y offers sports leagues and aquatic programs for youths and adults. The site’s Erick Laine Outdoor Center offers fun in the sun, including a splash pad zone in the summer and an ice rink in the winter.

“Right now we’re in the ice rink season, which is an interesting transition in Western New York,” Brown said.

Through February, the Y is running Operation Motivation, a program free to members encouraging them to try classes and activities outside of what

they normally do, Brown explained.

“The energy is just a buzz. It’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Margaret Doty, Wellness Director at the Olean Y, said the schedule for classes and activities runs Monday through Sunday, with most days offering classes as early as 6:15 a.m. and as late as 6:30 p.m. Child watch is also available during certain hours of those days for parents with young children who want to come work out or take part in a class.

“We also have a variety of active older adult program classes, including strength, tai chi and yoga,” Doty said. “And we have aqua-fit classes that we offer Monday through Friday as well. One is more aerobic and one is slower paced for arthritis.”

New members are given three free consultations with a trainer when they join, Doty said — one to gather a health history and learn why they joined the Y, and two more sessions to get new members start-

ed on their programming.

“If they don’t want to go that route, they also have the ability to schedule a one-hour equipment orientation where a trainer will walk the member through the facility, show them the proper usage of all the equipment,” she said. Some refurbishing was done on the main wellness floor last February, Doty said, including purchasing all new equipment.

Coming soon to the Y is a 3D body imaging system, Doty said. A scan can show someone their body composition, weight and the circumference measurements of each area as well as the body fat percentage of each body part.

“The unit can also depict a level of risk for health, cardiovascular and stuff like that,” she said. “There’s something for everybody with that unit. It’s not just for the average health seeker.”

Additionally, a smallgroup personal-training program pairs five people with a personal trainer to

go through a fitness program designed for certain goals all five are working toward. Doty said one group may want to focus on specific exercises and strength building, while another group may focus on nutrition or forming health habits. That eightweek program runs Feb. 9 through April 3, including a beginning and ending body scan so participants can see the progress they’ve made.

Beyond the traditional fitness programs one expects at a gym, the Y also has the Sim Zone golf simulator with season passes for golfers to play dozens of courses. The Sim Zone has other multi-sport capabilities, including children’s carnival games, and can be rented out for small events.

“We’re super popular for rentals for parties,” Brown said. “We have an inflatable bounce house, we can do laser tag and we can do pool parties.”

The Y is currently in the midst of the annual campaign, Brown said, raising funds that will go toward scholarships for local families and children to join the Y programs if they need financial assistance. For kids, the youth basketball league is starting soon, and swimming lessons are in rotation throughout the year — what Brown calls their “bread and butter” programs.

New this year, the Y is hoping to celebrate the opportunities at the Laine Center throughout the year with Four Seasons, Four Festivals, starting with a winter festival Feb. 20 from 3-7 p.m. Local artist Eric Jones will be in attendance, offering a snow sculpture tutorial and creating one of his own.

“We hope to do a spring, a summer and a fall one, keeping that momentum going,” she added.

With so many activities available and classes running throughout the

weeks, month and all year, Brown said the Y operates more like a community center with a bunch of micro-communities that all interact with each other, from the pickleball and basketball leagues sharing the gym to the group exercise classes sharing the studio.

“Then in the evening when school lets out, the building is full of kids,” she added. “It’s a safe place for kids to come and be active.”

And for those unsure about becoming members, the Y also offers individual children, adult and family day passes, where someone can enjoy all the amenities of the facility for a nominal fee.

“People can be here all day long and do whatever it is that’s going on,” Doty added. “There really is something for everyone.”

For more information about the Olean Y and the YMCA of the Twin Tiers, visit www.twintiersymca. org.