Mother & Daughter Duo Awarded
Mother & Daughter Duo Awarded
Community Care of WNY Honors Duo with Founder’s Award
(L-R) Mrs. Dorothy Scholl (seated), Melissa Sullivan and Sr. Melissa Scholl (standing)
The Community Care of Western New York (dba HomeCare & Hospice - HCH) Board of Directors have honored Mrs. Dorothy Scholl and Sr. Melissa Scholl, OSF as 2024 Founder’s Award recipients. They were recognized at the annual meeting luncheon of the boards of Community Care of Western New York (HCH), HomeCare & Hospice Foundation and Total Senior Care in July.
When the Founder’s Award was established by the board of directors in 1986, the award was given to recipients who upheld the ideals of home health care and/ or hospice in some manner thru significant contributions made to the art of caring. The Founder’s Award represents the highest honor bestowed upon an individual or organization by our Board of Directors.
“The recipients continue to exemplify our mission through contributions to the community, caring volunteerism or direct involvement in promoting our visions,” stated Melissa Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Home Care & Hospice.
Mrs. Dorothy Scholl, an Olean native and Olean High School graduate, completed Buffalo General's Registered Nursing program during World War II, intending to serve in the military, but the war ended before she could do so.
After graduation, Dorothy returned to Olean, working in Olean General Hospital’s surgery department. She married Douglas Scholl from Allegany, raised four children, and continued her nursing career at Olean General. Dorothy played a key role in the development of HomeCare & Hospice, serving as a founding board member and contributing in numerous ways.
Mrs. Scholl was active on various boards, committees, and advisory groups to help develop the hospice program. She remains a dedicated supporter of HomeCare & Hospice while staying involved in her children’s lives and activities.
After retiring from OGH as an emergency room nurse, she worked at the Pines Nursing Home of Olean as a nursing supervisor, where she was highly respected for her kindness and responsiveness. Mrs. Scholl also remained active on boards and committees and was a long-time choir member with the Keynote Chorus.
Mrs. Sullivan added, “The CCWNY and Total Senior Care (TSC) Boards of Directors, along with their staff, are deeply grateful for Mrs. Scholl's years of counsel, expertise, and dedication. Thank you, Mrs. Scholl, for your invaluable contributions to our organizations. We are blessed to have had you from the start.”
Mrs. Scholl’s daughter, Sr. Melissa Scholl was our surprise award recipient. Sr. Melissa Scholl, OSF, originally from Allegany, graduated from Allegany Central School and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and English from St. Bonaventure University. She also holds master’s degrees in school administration from Boston College and in reading from the University of Miami.
Sr. Melissa has served on numerous Boards of Directors, including Upper Allegany Health System (Olean General Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical Center), Canticle Farm, Genesis House, St. Joseph Villa, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, and Total Senior Care, where she was a board member when TSC opened in 2008.
A member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany since 1978, Sr. Melissa has ministered as a teacher, educational administrator across NYS and Connecticut, and adjunct professor at St. Bonaventure University. She served as a Councilor in Congregational Leadership for eight years and is currently an Associate Minister in Congregational Leadership. Throughout her career, Sr. Melissa has worked in various roles, including office assistant, teacher, supervisor, principal, administrator, and volunteer.
“Sister Melissa Scholl. I’m sure I’m overlooking some of the many roles and positions she has held over the years because she has done so much for so many. Most recently, Sr. Melissa played a crucial role in assisting with HomeCare & Hospice’s move to the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, for which we are deeply grateful every day,” said Mrs. Sullivan.
The luncheon also honored the Board of Directors from all three boards for their years of service. From the Total Senior Care board, Sister Miriam Natale was recognized for 5 years of service, Dr. Pierre Dionne for 15 years, Michael MacWilliams for 15 years, and Dr. Tom Delaney for 15 years. Richard Shear received recognition for his 10 years of service to the HC&H Foundation. Andrea Aldinger (5 years), Michael Martello (10 years), and Maureen Mooney-Myers (40 years) were acknowledged for their service to the Community Care of Western New York board.
Both HomeCare & Hospice and Total Senior Care encompass programs for their patients/participants to remain in their own homes. Both focus on quality of life. For more information on TSC, please call 716-379-8474, email rpadlo@totalseniorcare.org or visit totalseniorcare.org. For HCH information, please call 716-372-2106, visit homecare-hospice.org or email snegron@homecare-hospice.org.
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