For young professionals, by young professionals. This monthly newsletter is published by Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX), the young professionals group of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Find articles from the FLEX FYI on the Chamber’s blog.
Rossbacher Insurance Group is pleased to announce the addition of Eric Thompson as an Insurance Agent at its new Williams Agency location in Oil City. Eric comes to Rossbacher with a unique and meaningful background in Customer Service with his many years’ experience as a PGA Golf Professional and Club Manager.
In his former role, Eric worked hard to build relationships with the local patrons and the business community in Venango County. Eric is excited about the opportunity to help guide his friends, family, and future clients with their personal, life, and commercial insurance needs. He is a member of and FLEX and looks forward to getting more involved in the community and growing new relationships.
Eric is an Oil City resident and attended Edinboro University where he met his wife, Deb. They live on the “South Side” with their two children, Carter and Peyton.
Rossbacher Insurance Group, also with offices in Corry and Cranberry, has been helping businesses and families with their insurance needs since 1928.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.
It’s never easy when a loved one is nearing the end of their life, but at The Collins House, those last moments can be spent in a comfortable, homey atmosphere.
“It’s their home and we provide a space where they can experience empathy and safety,” said Kim Slater Heil RN/BSN, The Collins House Manager. “It’s an open, light-filled home and offers a calm atmosphere where they can finish their life journey in an enjoyable way.”
The Collins House in Franklin was opened by the Venango VNA Foundation in April 2019, and is a three-bedroom home staffed 24/7 with hospice care. Residents have private rooms with a bathroom, along with shared spaces, such as a living area, kitchen, porch, and back patio.
“It took four years to get the house up and running, and our dream has really become a reality,“ said Kim. “It is incredibly rewarding. Loss of life is sad, but if we can make their end of life journey as comfortable as possible, then we have done our jobs.”
Family members can visit at any time and residents can also have pets visit. Kim’s dog Charley is a popular visitor and therapy dogs have come in as well. Often, there is a “real sense of extended family” among residents throughout the house, Kim told us.
Flexibility is offered for residents, in which they can have meals and do activities at preferred times. “It’s so flexible that we’ve even cooked dippy eggs for a resident at 2 a.m.,” said Kim.
Each bedroom has a bird feeder outside the window, and deer also visit the feeders often. Family members have been generous and donated items such as bird seed, rocking chairs, a gas grill, and a keyboard.
There are two criteria to become a resident—they must be hospice eligible and also be a patient of the Venango VNA Hospice team.
“This has been a collaborative effort by our Foundation board and staff at VNA. Our hospice interdisciplinary team of nurses, social worker, pastor, aides and volunteers work well with our staff at the house to ensure that people have the best possible care. It’s a team effort for sure,” said Kim.
To learn more about The Collins House or schedule a tour, call (814) 432-6555 or visit thecollinshouse.org.
Photos above: A volunteer prepares food for residents (left), the dining room of
The Collins House (center), Hospice House Caregiver Jamie Stack and
The Collins House Manager Kim Slater Heil RN/BSN (right)
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.
At a time where social distancing is the norm, Eckert Chiropractic has found new ways to stay close to patients.
Dr. Kate Eckert, who established her business in 2011, says that the pandemic has created challenges and opportunities for care providers and patients. “Patient care can be much more customized and flexible to meet the needs of the patient,” Kate said.
Eckert launched her own specialized video series on social media to educate people on how their body moves and how they can apply preventative movement and exercise at home as part of both a pre-habilitative and rehabilitative approach.
Eckert Chiropractic also has a dedicated team of wellness practitioners on-site to work with patients. Dr. Joe Aylesworth joined Eckert Chiropractic full-time in 2019 and has regular office hours along with Eckert. The addition of another chiropractor in the office has allowed patients more flexibility in their scheduling of appointments as well as provided patients with consistent care as both chiropractors practice similarly.
Mikayla Markle, the practice’s Chiropractic Assistant, oversees patient work in the therapy room, which includes traction table work, stretching, and various dynamic stabilization exercises as well as instruction on the use of myofascial release tools such as foam rollers and trigger point balls.
Also on the Eckert Chiropractic team is Chris Zagar, and they also work with neighboring massage therapists Kammi Stiller and Ann Mathews.
Eckert Chiropractic is located at 1047 Allegheny Avenue in Oil City with office hours Tuesday through Thursday 8AM-7PM. Appointments can be made by contacting the office at (814) 670- 0568 or online at chirodrkate.com/appointments.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.
The third class of the Chamber’s Leadership program has had to shift to an entirely virtual set-up due to COVID-19.
Though the switch to virtual sessions makes it harder to connect with presenters and each other, the class has been extremely flexible.
In January, participants met with County Commissioners and President Judge, as well as a panel of local leaders. They spent the afternoon learning about serving on a board of directors and did a session with a trainer from Michigan-based company ZingTrain.
A common theme throughout the day was getting involved—through serving on a board, volunteering, or speaking up when your voice isn’t being heard.
The afternoon session, focused on “How to Lead When You’re Not the Leader”, gave practical tools for managing energy, giving and receiving feedback, and conflict resolution. Participants seemed eager to test out some of the tips and adapt them in to their daily routines.
Learn more about the Leadership Venango program at leadershipvenango.org.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.